In the past few years the popularity of shutters has grown dramatically due to California homeowners seeking ways to reduce their utility bills while increasing the value of their homes. Many people believe installing shutters adds value because they help block light coming through windows which makes home interiors warmer, brighter, and more energy efficient.
California Shutters offer several advantages over other window covers including being more attractive, durable, easier to clean, lower maintenance costs, and better insulation properties than vinyl blinds, shades, curtains, or drapes. These benefits translate into higher property values and increased homeowner comfort.
Shutters provide privacy without sacrificing natural daylighting. They allow sunlight to pass through the slats allowing more light inside the house during the day and less heat gain on cold days. When closed, shutters block all outside light but still allow for ventilation.
When opened fully, shutters completely enclose the area behind them and block most of the view to the outdoors. However, this feature is beneficial because it reduces glare while providing added privacy. In addition, shutters can be designed to look like traditional wooden doors, giving them a classic appeal.

Buy California Shutters Online:
There are plenty of options to consider when deciding what type of shutters work best inside of homes across this country. From standard horizontal blinds, to custom made panels; from traditional wooden screens to contemporary designs, there’s no shortage of choices available. However, which design would actually be ideal for your home’s style? And, most importantly, could those materials withstand harsh weather conditions without cracking and peeling away like they’re supposed to?!
If that sounds familiar, then California Shutters® has some great news for you: We’ve identified 5 specific products & brands that stand head and shoulders above every other choice currently offered, specifically designed to provide a high level of quality, reliability and lasting beauty while fitting comfortably along each homeowner’s unique requirements. We call them premium shutters – because everything else just pales in comparison…
Best Rated Premium California Shutters:
1. EZ Screen™ Pro Series
2. Crafted Wood Blind Covers
3. Westcoast Hardwood Shutters
4. GAF Masterpiece™ Classic Collection
5. Custom Made Blind Company
We’ll explain every detail behind these five choices in greater depth below… but first, get ready to experience firsthand why they really ARE THE BEST CHOICES FOR YOUR HOME’S STYLE! Here, we’ll cover the basics of choosing the perfect pair of window treatments, providing valuable information to help you make a decision that will last through years of use. If you’re still curious about how exactly these top rated shutters perform and feel during usage, watch this brief video overview as well.
Why should I go with premium shutters instead of cheaper alternatives??
In today’s marketplace, price is often used as a main indicator whether or not something is “cheap”. But, the truth is, cheap does NOT always equate to good value. Most people who seek affordable solutions typically end up getting less than they expect when it comes to overall durability, longevity, performance, and ease-of-use.

If you live in Ohio then this post will help in understanding the cost associated with installing California shutters. If you own any sort of home improvement project that needs planning, preparation or execution, I highly recommend doing some research first. This includes knowing exactly who you intend to install them for; whether they live in the house or condo, what size windows they use, what type of doors/frames exist, are the existing walls insulated, are electrical outlets required, how many rooms does the house have, and other considerations. Once these details are understood better than ever before, then the next step would be taking measurements, which is covered in detail below. After this information is determined, it may seem overwhelming to figure out the actual costs involved with having California shuttered installed. But once again, there are ways around it. You see, there aren’t really that many companies selling ready made products. So most often, people buy individual pieces of wood and assemble them themselves. This usually involves cutting down trees, sawing, sanding, stain painting, caulking…you get the picture. Not only is this labor intensive but it can also take lots of time. However, in order to save yourself a lot of headache, we’ve developed the following guide to explain everything you’ll need to know to determine exactly what your California shuttering should include, including what materials to purchase, cut sizes, frame designs, and many different types of options available (or soon to come). Our mission was to provide homeowners everywhere in America with the ability to pick California shutters without spending every dime possible; while still making sure that they received quality workmanship, attention to detail, and customer service. With that said, you’re going to read through this article and we hope to offer you insight on how to properly select and prepare for California shutters. First things first though, lets just quickly discuss why this topic is becoming incredibly popular.
California Shutters: Why Is Everyone Talking About Them Now?!
So, why California shutters right now? Well, simply put, because everyone wants energy efficient windows.

Today I am going through my top four favorite shutters, including details on each type’s advantages and disadvantages. (In no way am i biased towards these brands, they just happen to be favorites amongst customers). Then I will go over some quick tips on installing them yourself. So sit back, relax, and take this guide out for dinner tonight! Enjoy 🙂
First up…
[b]Best Wood Shutters[/b]. These products tend to get the highest customer satisfaction ratings because they offer the most color options while maintaining consistent quality across the board. They usually come with multiple window sizes, which makes them ideal from the standpoint of versatility. Their price ranges vary, but generally speaking you should expect prices around $400-$650 per window installed. If you’re really short on cash, however, there’s always Craigslist/eBay. My personal pick is Valspar’s “Woodstock” series line, although I feel like people either love these or hate them. A lot of people swear by Southern Shutters’ “Classic Series”, though I haven’t had much luck yet personally.[i][b]What to Consider When Buying Wooden Shutters[/b][/i] The key word when considering wooden shutters is solidity. Although many brands are known for providing high-quality materials, many of their windows fail under proper conditions and experience excessive warpage after being exposed to moisture during shipping or storage. For example, Craftmaster’s wood windows often crack along seams due to improper drying techniques while they remain sealed inside boxes, causing leaks once installed. With other manufacturers, you’ll find reports of warped panels and doors. Solid Construction isn’t everything, unfortunately — because they aren’t 100% made of wood, certain models won’t perform well against glass breakage, whereas those made entirely from wood typically outperform plastic counterparts despite being cheaper. One thing you must watch out for when buying wooden shutters is weathering resistance — many cheap wood window treatments fade easily outdoors, leaving behind ugly blotches of discoloration. Some manufactures are offering wood windows in white resin finishes these days, but these shouldn’t be considered long term solutions for outdoor applications since they don’t allow full UV protection.

When choosing a motorized shutter, ask yourself whether this feature will be used regularly in your home or office. For example: If you use your shutters only once every few years, then a manual type of shutter is probably good enough for you. However, if shutting down windows was part of your daily routine, then a fully automated system would suit you perfectly.
Motorized systems tend to work better in areas facing large amounts of sunlight, including south and west exposure; and they don’t really perform well in rooms without direct sun light like basements, dens.
If you live near the beach, consider adding shades to protect against strong breezes while still getting full advantage of sunshine through window openings. A combination of both types of shading material could provide ideal coverage.
Most experts agree that single cell vinyl blinds are most popular because of their ease of operation and energy efficiency. But some newer materials offer similar styles and benefits. Many options exist in terms of color choices, shapes, sizes, and design details. Some manufacturers even offer custom designs. These include slats made of acrylic resin composite or fiberglass cloth. They come in various textures, colors, thicknesses, finishes, and other special characteristics. Some allow for more decorative trimming along the bottom edge than traditional vinyl products, which creates a sleeker appearance overall. Another benefit unique to these alternatives is reduced sensitivity to UV rays, thus lessening fading concerns and improving long term performance.
What About Roller Shades?
Roller shades come in several different widths, lengths, heights and roller dimensions. Available models vary greatly—from those installed manually via pulleys, cords, or cranks, to electrically powered devices that tilt vertically upward. Most modern retractable shades incorporate multiple ways to adjust the shade position. Often called “smart shades,” these shades operate automatically whenever a preset threshold temperature level occurs indoors. Rolled back during cold outdoor temperatures and rolled forward during warmer days, these shades regulate incoming natural light levels based on changing weather conditions. In addition to providing great insulation value, these solar screen solutions reduce glare at night in dark bedrooms, thereby promoting sleep patterns among occupants.

We talked a little bit about the history of California shutters and why they work really well in certain climates like Minnesota. But let’s dig deeper into some great options for this beautiful window treatment…
Best California Shutter Installation Trends For 2020
What should I consider while buying these products? When shopping for the best California shutters, it helps to be educated on the different types available.
California shutters generally come in three different styles; Wood Beams, Paneled & Slatted Beams. Depending upon which type you prefer will determine whether you’re going traditional to minimalist. We’ll get into those things further down.
First thing first though, I’d highly recommend taking pictures and measuring your windows to see exactly what dimensions your home needs. Sometimes just because it looks good in the showroom does NOT mean it will do the same once installed. Just ask anyone who bought blinds or curtains recently. They had no idea how big the actual window was until after they received them and hung them themselves.
Now onto the other question of “what style”. Here is a quick rundown on each one below. And remember, there is NO perfect fit, so take measurements yourself and decide what fits you better.
Wood Beams
Typically used for larger homes to help maintain privacy but sometimes in smaller spaces can provide additional lighting. I’m personally not super fond of wooden beams myself since they tend to feel bulky, heavy and outdated when paired together. Especially with modern furniture/cabinets around them. However, you certainly won’t find me telling someone that theirs shouldn’t use one unless they truly love the look.
Paneled / Slotted
This is probably my favorite. Often times slanted vertically rather than horizontally, slats let in light beautifully and still offer privacy without cluttering the area with unsightly sticks.
Paneled Beams
Very similar to paneled, yet still offers privacy. These typically hang parallel to the floor and often feature a center rail for added comfort. Great for bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens alike.
Which Style Is Right For Me?!
Well in most cases, all 3 are fine choices depending on your tastes..

Most people assume they should buy vinyl shuttering because they believe the material lasts longer than wood, but this isn’t always true. Here’s why vinyl costs less, but could come back to bite homeowners after years of exposure. Also, learn more about which ones will actually protect your home against moisture and insects. And finally, explore the many benefits of both materials. We’ll show you what makes them different…and why choosing just one is usually a false choice. But first, let’s take a closer look at each type. While we’re talking about the differences, remember these facts: • Both types are installed differently with separate hardware and techniques.• Depending on the amount and direction of air movement around windows, each offers unique advantages.• Each material requires maintenance, whether it be cleaning, caulking, painting or repairing leaks.And while neither shuts out weather entirely, wood products offer greater resistance against water infiltration, mold growth and other common threats. Plus, wood is naturally antibacterial and nonporous, so no matter how often you clean it, it won’t harbor pests like mites and bed bugs. On top of that, wooden shutters are far better at shielding warm sunlight during winter months.Vinyl panels provide superior energy efficiency, especially when combined with high U values; however, vinyl does not block harmful rays as well as real timber. And although some companies tout their ability to repel rodents and termites, vinyl cannot prevent the same problems that happen every five seconds under the surface of a typical wood frame. So how did wood get there? Well, it started when wooden pallets began arriving in droves on America’s docks in the early 20th century. These sturdy containers became indispensable in shipping goods worldwide and soon replaced crates made from boards tied together with twine as the mainstay of cargo transport. Soon, millions of yards worth of lumber found itself stacked upon wooden pallets ready for export, destined for homes across the globe. As demand grew and transportation evolved, wood came in contact with rainwater, wind and sun, taking on character and texture until eventually, someone realized “hey—this stuff looks kinda similar to actual wood!” A new industry was born.

What Is A “California Window Treatment?
If you are thinking about installing shutters, but aren’t quite sure exactly why they’re called California shutters, then this article will explain what you should be aware of.
Why Install Shutters For Your Doorways And Windows?
There’s no doubt that shuttering doors and windows makes a beautiful feature for homes everywhere. But did you ever stop to think “why would I install these things?” If yes, keep reading…
Installing New Doors/Windows and Replacing Existing Ones
One thing many people overlook during an upgrade project is replacing existing hardware with new ones. Whether it’s just adding some extra door security or completely redoing it with new custom designs, shutting down old hardware can increase home value while providing added safety.
Doing It Right When Installing New Hardware
When planning projects like closing in windows and doors properly, it helps to consider both aesthetics and function. Proper sizing, materials selection, quality assurance, and other considerations can result in stunningly attractive installations.
How Do They Work?
Before choosing shutters for your own home, take note that they are specifically designed to provide protection against the sun. These shutters usually consist of four main parts; louvers, slats, rails, and clamps. Louvers are the horizontal bars or strips that line every inch around each window pane. Slats are placed inside these areas and allow light through, protecting the glass, preventing water damage, and increasing energy efficiency. Rails hold those slats in place and hold the shutters together.
Where Should I Put Them?
In terms of placement, most homeowners opt for putting them along the top edge of sliding patio doors and French doors instead of across the bottom. While the latter does offer better insulation properties, the former actually gives more coverage than the latter since shutters cover windows only partially. Either way, be careful not to block heat circulation.
Installation Options
Depending on the design, it’s common practice for manufacturers to sell complete assemblies rather than individual components. However, there are options available that include different kinds of frames, hinges, locksets, and accessories to customize shutter systems.

For most homeowners living in high elevation areas like New England, Arizona and Colorado, installing shutters will be necessary due to frequent snowfalls. However, many homeowners find the expense associated with replacing windows during periods of heavy weather can outweigh the benefits of adding additional curb appeal value to their homes. As these types of weather events become less common, and as window manufacturers continue to improve energy efficiency standards, the cost premium attached to replacing traditional stormwindows could soon drop considerably. That would mean fewer customers opting for replacement windows because they no longer feel forced to invest the funds required to replace them. When this occurs, window companies will shift focus away from building products aimed solely at providing added protection against storms and instead focus these efforts toward protecting existing home owners.
While some people love the idea of being able to enjoy beautiful views while staying inside, others simply cannot tolerate spending significant amounts of money on materials and labor costs just to see a few extra square feet of glass. If you fall into this group, then you should consider investing in shutters made specifically for your region. Most of today’s top brands only offer models designed to provide maximum durability and protection while minimizing maintenance requirements, making this type of investment well worth considering. While you’re doing your homework, remember to check out the various styles available. Some designs include blinds which block light and protect walls, doors and flooring. Others incorporate slats and screens which allow sunlight through but keep flying insects outside. Still other options feature louvers which function similarly to shades when opened and closed.
There’s another factor to take into account when choosing shutters with the potential for extreme exposure: climate. Shutters can withstand strong winds, rainstorms and temperature fluctuations. But if they aren’t installed properly, they won’t do anything to slow down high levels of heat transfer. Be aware that they cannot prevent damage caused by extremely hot air temperatures, nor does shading help cool rooms below freezing degrees.
Another consideration to bear in mind is color choice. Since most modern vinyl-clad frames come with tinted panels, homeowners often mistakenly assume shade colors must match those found on adjacent property lines since vinyl tends to blend together seamlessly.

Dozens of years ago I wrote a book called “California Shutters Handbook” which was published back in 2003 after many thousands of hours spent reading books on shutters, working on projects around my home town, testing different products, getting certifications in design and construction techniques, meeting hundreds upon hundreds of clients and suppliers and attending seminars like this one.
In January 2020 I decided to update the handbook/manual and re-publish it for the 21st century. As usual I started with researching the industry then put together some questions people had on Facebook asking me why they should use shutters rather than other types of window treatments. Then went through my library again to find old articles discussing specific aspects of installing various styles of shutters. And finally compiled everything down into a single document that includes pictures and videos, along with tips and tricks to help you get the most bang for every buck.
Why publish it myself instead of hiring someone else to write it? Because no matter who does the writing—even though you could easily pay $1000-$3000 to hire someone—you still end up spending months putting something together with the same amount of effort but will probably be better because you understand exactly what you want to say and how to get across those points effectively.
When the guide goes live on July 1st with accompanying ebooks it will cost $12 and include 5 custom video tutorials showing you all the details on how each type of door is installed. These videos take less than 30 minutes each and are available in English only. So check them out soon and see if it meets your needs. If not just send me an email and I’ll happily keep track of your requests and provide additional training materials including step by step instructions and PDF files to complete the project yourself.
Finally, once this manual becomes available to everyone via the web (www.thecaliforniashuttersguide.net), I’m going to charge $99 per person to install these doors using my team members’ installation expertise and experience for your personal benefit. But since there’s so little demand until recently you’re likely to save several thousand dollars without having to worry about doing anything except buying the software and hardware necessary to achieve great results.

My goal is to help homeowners find great shutters that will enhance the value of their homes while being durable enough to weather decades of weathering. My mission is to provide accurate information with unbiased reviews and recommendations. I believe my reviews should be trusted and verified because they come straight from an installer who has installed hundreds of doors myself. As a result, my reviews reflect real customer experiences and include honest feedback from other installers working alongside me today. So keep reading for reviews, research tips and more!
Best Shuttles for Your Door.
California Shutters are often referred to as “shutters” but technically speaking they aren’t. They are not only different than standard windows they are made specifically for use with sliding glass patio doorways and have many unique benefits including energy conservation and privacy control. Because most home owners opt to replace old vinyl window sills and frames with custom shutters, it makes sense that this particular type of material would become popular. But just like traditional vinyl replacement, California shutters offer plenty of options in terms of style, design, color and quality which ultimately lead to significant cost savings. While some people mistakenly call them ‘replacement windows’, these types of products are actually designed to fit well around existing windows. Some common examples of California Shutts styles found commercially available today include plantation shutters, paneled shutters and Roman blinds among others. And they come in a wide range of materials such as fiberglass, aluminum, oak and steel along with numerous customization options. Each offers different levels of durability, noise reduction and ease of operation, making them ideal choices for many customers across the country.
So why are California Shutters becoming so popular again after a long decline? First of all, they are no longer seen as temporary additions to houses built during the 1950s and 1960s. Thanks to advancements in technology, building codes and improvements to construction techniques, modern day builders realize the importance of integrating solid exterior building systems inside the house. If properly maintained and constructed correctly, shuttered windows can serve as lasting investments in property values that reduce cooling costs and increase comfort without sacrificing aesthetics.