Builder Magazine

Quiet Elegance
Though they often go unnoticed, shutters contribute to a home’s visual statement.

Occasionally, Architectural Elements that once served a functional purpose become superfluous features that exist only for aesthetic appeal. Like exterior window shutters.

Used in the past to block sunlight and provide protection from storms, shutters today are “here but not here.” They go largely unnoticed, but most production homes and even some traditional custom homes have them. In fact, in some areas of the country, it can be hard to find a house without shutters.

Rick Skidmore, president and founder of Timberlane in North Wales, Pa., says the demand for wood shutters in particular is growing rapidly.

“There is a huge movement toward authentic products,” Skidmore says, “and wood shutters fall into that category.” Though wood can be hard to maintain, for some people it’s all about authenticity. New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York have seen high demand for wood, Skidmore says, because people prefer a traditional look in those markets.

Timberlane offers wood products made from Western red cedar that feature mortise-and-tenon joinery for strength. Copper capping on each shutter helps prevent water infiltration.

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