If you’re building a house or condo, you’ll need something strong enough to keep rain and wind away while still letting sunlight through. For homeowners seeking protection against wind and water but who aren’t quite ready to commit to vinyl shutters, these options offer similar advantages without requiring the same commitment.
For those looking for a little extra value, some models feature stainable hardware instead of a fixed profile along the top edge — allowing you to customize the window treatment’s appearance as well. And because almost every model includes blinds inside the frame, they work great both day and night. But if your needs are particularly unique, check the specs sheet first, since each style varies slightly in construction details like headrail height, whether and how many slats go inside, and the way the panels fit together. In addition, be sure to factor in shipping costs; many companies charge a premium for shipments farther than 150 miles due to additional paperwork required by state regulations.
In this article, I’m going to highlight five brands of home improvement windows that come highly recommended by experts on Amazon and other websites. Most of them include multiple styles, prices, sizes, color schemes, and more—all to help you find the perfect combination for whatever type of space you own (or will soon). Keep reading below to see why each deserves attention.
This post was originally published June 4th 2019 · Last update March 7th 2020 · 5 Comments
1/5 Best Budget Buy $0-$25
When choosing exterior window treatments, you can save big bucks by shopping around, especially given today’s competitive marketplace. While most retailers carry a wide assortment of high-end products ranging anywhere from $250+ dollars per panel depending upon the quality of the materials used, some manufacturers sell lower cost yet attractive and durable solutions starting under $50 per panel, often in a wider range of colors, patterns, and designs. Of course, you should consider overall price when making purchases, but sometimes the difference really is worth the investment. These days, the market is flooded with choices, which makes finding affordable quality alternatives nearly impossible unless you shop specifically. So, if you’re after cheap but good quality options, take advantage of this guide.

In 2012 I began working as a fulltime contractor doing home improvement projects around Santa Barbara County. While most people think home improvements include painting walls and fixing roofs, my work mostly involved installing windows, sliding glass doors, custom shutters, cabinets and countertops for homeowners across Southern Californias Central Coast areas. My clients ranged from individuals who wanted to upgrade some parts of their homes to those whose houses had suffered damage and they wanted help recovering quickly after heavy rains. I found that many customers would be able to save thousands of dollars by replacing old vinyl blinds or wooden shutters with modern plantation style or French Country style window coverings instead of having them replaced.
During this period I worked with dozens of companies and became familiar with different styles of vinyl and other materials used in making contemporary window treatments. For example, in 2018 I learned that while aluminum frames still held sway among DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike; a majority of my installations now came complete with traditional framed vertical blinds. I was often surprised, however, that these same frames could cost upwards of $200 apiece!
This article discusses what types of window covering options there really are beyond just “blinds” or “shutters”. These products will range widely depending on which part of the country or state a prospective customer resides.
There are four main categories of shutters I discuss below:
Vertical Blinds
Horizontal Blinds
Plantation Shades/Country Shades
Roller Shading
These terms, particularly horizontal blinds and roller shades, tend to conjure images of older homes with Victorian styled decor. As a result they’re sometimes confused with each other. But it’s worth noting that today’s horizontal blinds come in three common forms: Roman shades, fabric rolls and pleated shades, and that in addition to being used indoors (for privacy purposes), they can also be fitted outside to provide shade protection. Roller shades are similar but roll down vertically rather than horizontally like a Roman Shade. They offer excellent insulation properties as well as light blocking capabilities which makes them perfect for use in bedrooms during summer months.

For many years, homeowners have tried to improve the appearance of their windows without making major changes to the exterior architecture of their homes. This was always a struggle because most people simply couldn’t afford to purchase the high quality products necessary to achieve those aesthetic improvements. Fortunately, this problem began to rapidly disappear due to increased consumer awareness towards better window treatments coupled with improved manufacturing techniques that made premium window coverings affordable enough to be purchased and installed by consumers themselves.
In recent times, however; many individuals who did buy these higher priced solutions found they had little use for them after only a few months since the initial install. These problems seemed related to product deficiencies, improper setup methods, insufficient instructions/guides and inconsistent customer service expectations. We knew something could be fixed in order to address these issues through improvement on multiple fronts but unfortunately none of us really wanted to get involved… until recently, that is.
Nowadays however, almost everyone understands the importance of buying top notch home decor products regardless of price point. But what used to happen in past situations whereby customers would receive poor quality products with poor workmanship and lackluster support is no longer acceptable anymore. This problem has actually gotten worse than ever given the fact that a large portion of companies that manufacture/sell window treatment solutions still operate under antiquated business models rather than embracing updated software systems and modern strategies which allow them to provide superior levels of customer care. Unfortunately, I’ve personally experienced first hand this unfortunate trend within my own industry.
In the spring of 2019 however, we saw new hope begin to arise in regard to solving some of these long standing problems with the launch of ShutterBoy’s New Online Store offering exclusively customized Made For You Installation Services for both residential interior doors and California shutters. Our mission here at Shutterboy’s is to provide our clients with beautiful custom products manufactured just like ours only at a fraction of what other “premium” brands charge for similar products. As part of this initiative, we decided to include detailed instruction manuals that will guide our installers step by step through every aspect of installing each unique product.

In this years update post I cover some great ways to install your own custom shutters, and in these times of high home values the market for a quality and affordable way to protect your investment should be booming.
Here are just five things we will offer you in the next few months….
1) Free custom designs. If you live anywhere near us, or use any other company besides Shutter Boys, we’ll send you a FREE color sample design, and then you pick the colors you like most…and it’s yours! We guarantee it!
2) Custom Made Designs. No matter where you’re located, we’ve got a ready made solution for you. Our designs come complete with all the materials necessary to install them yourself, no assembly required!! And because they come fully insulated, we won’t charge you for shipping….so get ’em while you still can!
3) Professional Installation Services. Not only will we provide top notch customer service and follow up on every job we take on, but we guarantee 100% satisfaction on each order. Every single piece goes through meticulous inspections to ensure nothing is overlooked. When we say “Done Right” We mean it! So if something gets broken during installation, we either replace it, or reimburse you for the replacement cost, whichever makes sense depending upon the situation.
4)…And Finally, The Big One……FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN THE USA!!!!!!! Yes, that’s correct; every purchase includes FREE 1st Class Shipping. As long as you buy 2 pieces of vinyl per window type, that’s it. No minimum orders, nor maximum. Just 2 windows, regardless of size. Plus since we deliver everything straight to your door, there’s ZERO risk involved in ordering multiple windows. Order today and lock in the deal! Your savings could literally pay for ALL your windows! But hurry…..the price is going down soon.
5)…But wait, THERE’S MORE!
If you’re wondering why you couldn’t find the answer to your question or problem anywhere else on the web…don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything….

For those who aren’t familiar, California shutters are among the most popular home décor solutions that protect windows while adding value to residences. They come from a long line of traditional house wraps like Venetian blinds but they differ significantly in design and function.
California shutters are made specifically for residential applications only. As they often replace Venetian Blinds, the industry standard window treatment, they must be mounted onto a window frame that typically comprises either aluminum or steel profiles which provide vertical support for the horizontal slats of the California shade fabric.
Why should I consider installing California shutters instead of other options? Because they offer several distinct benefits, including cost efficiency, improved energy efficiency, enhanced privacy control, and greater safety.
In addition, California Shutters work extremely well in tandem with many different types of exterior door hardware. These features collectively mean that they stand apart from conventional storm shades, roller shades, Roman Shades, and curtains in terms of practicality.
California Shutters work exceptionally well as an alternative to single panel shades because they allow homeowners to reduce glare while still maintaining reasonable levels of natural light inside their homes. More importantly, they allow owners to enjoy complete visual exposure without sacrificing privacy.
What Types Do We Offer?
We manufacture a range of custom engineered products that include custom sizes, colors, textures, and patterns. Our customers can select from various fabrics on each roll and have them shipped straight to us ready to install.
There are no limits to the designs that we can create for our Custom Fabric Series. If you already own some vinyl graphics that you would like incorporated into your California shutter then just ask.
Some people confuse the term “Vinyl” with “vinyl graphic” however both Vinyl and Graphics describe vinyl decals created by placing textured images on top of plastic film. Vinyl Decals and Graphic Printings use similar materials that can produce vibrant color effects, but they will not stick well together unless applied carefully and adhesively.
In the future, our website will continue to update regularly with information regarding these and other products, and perhaps even details concerning additional technologies available to help solve problems associated with managing indoor climates.

In today’s post I will be talking about some cool trending products including more than just shutters but other home improvement things which fall under this sub category like blinds windows & patio covers. So take it away…
California Shutters | Preius Wood Products For Your Interior Design Projects
Here are my Top picks for the best California Shuttler Trends in 2022
1. Tinted Glass Panels – If having glass panels without any window treatments sounds good then keep reading because this trend seems to be gaining traction in many parts of the country. It gives the illusion of a larger space while still offering privacy. And these glass panels come in different sizes and styles giving it versatility and functionality. Here are a few examples of popular designs available on Amazon.2. Vinyl Blinds- Another thing people love doing here is adding shades of vinyl for different seasons. They allow air circulation and provide protection during harsh weather conditions. Check them out below…3. Aluminium Doors – These doors seem to pop up everywhere lately. Whether they look great in your kitchen or bathroom their sleek design and quality materials makes them perfect additions to the modern design that we love.4. Wrought Iron Frames – We’ve seen wrought iron frames go high fashion style recently and they’re back again thanks to a revival among homeowners who feel nostalgic. Not only does the material stand strong against rust it adds character to rooms like no other.5. Aluminum Clad Windows – People love changing up their homes and updating old spaces with different and trendy accents. While aluminum clad windows aren’t exactly new they’re making a comeback due to durability and affordability.6. Sliding Patio Screens – Screen enclosures offer an eco friendly alternative to traditional Venetian blinds. A screen enclosure offers both function and form letting you enjoy the outdoors through privacy yet allowing light and ventilation inside.7. Decorative Staircase Handrails – When installing stairs consider designing with decorative rails instead of standard ones. Decorated handrail spindles add warmth and personality while giving a unique touch to any staircase8. Custom Built Wooden Cabinets – One of my favorite ways to update a kitchen is installing custom cabinets.

We get questions like these most often during this part of the season: “Which type of shutters should I buy? And which is better—wood or vinyl shutters?” Both options offer benefits, but they come with different tradeoffs. So, here’s everything you need to know…
Wooden shutters are natural, sustainable & long lasting materials. They won’t fade, rot away or crack down the road just because they absorb some sunlight (which leads to mildew). Wooden shutters will age gracefully for decades while adding to the beauty of your home or condo. Plus, they protect against moisture buildup, making them ideal candidates for coastal properties that receive heavy rains. As for durability issues, wooden shutters typically hold up well under normal wear and tear. If you’re planning to paint/stain your shutters regularly, though, then consider replacing them every 5 years to keep things fresh and bright.
On the other hand, vinyl shutters tend to be easier to install than wood shutters since they use less complicated hardware instead of intricate screws and nails. Because of this ease, vinyl windows have become increasingly popular. However, this lack of complexity makes vinyl shutters vulnerable to damage from wind gusts, snow loads, hail storms, termites, and fire. Also, due to their material makeup, vinyl shutters don’t provide sound insulation, meaning noise travels through the wall quite easily. Although many people assume that they only work well for condos that face ocean side views, the truth is they perform admirably outdoors as well. As always, the decision to purchase wood or vinyl shutters depends largely upon personal preference.
For those seeking more information regarding either choice, here are 3 key points to consider:
1) Size Matters: When choosing a size California shutter, remember that the width plays a crucial role in protecting against UV rays coming into your house or condo. Generally speaking, larger window coverings mean bigger openings that block UV light and allow air inside and outside your home. But what does size matter more? A wide opening lets plenty of light go through, while also preventing moisture from pooling underneath the California Shutter.

In this post I will be covering some general information about shutters, including why they are great options for homeowners, and then dive into the top 3 brands of premium quality shutters that can help you get started on finding the perfect window treatment to fit your home. We also take a quick tour around the website, highlighting the products we offer.
We hope these posts provide you with valuable insight about choosing the proper style of shutter to suit your needs. As always, if you would like to discuss anything specific with us, please feel free to reach out anytime through email, phone or live chat, and we will happily assist you with whatever questions you may have. Thank you once again for reading and supporting Shutter Boys, we appreciate each and every customer that chooses us.

In this post I am going to talk about some trends in California shuttering products which will be most prevalent in 2022 and beyond. If you are buying for yourself or someone else in your home then check out my other articles covering these topics further down the page. Or feel free to get in touch direct via [email protected]
For the majority of homes with windows, they use wooden shingles and shakes either side of them. Most often there isn’t anything added onto the window frame except perhaps the addition of a trim piece around each end. For those who live in warmer climates like Texas or Florida though, this setup simply does not work well because all sorts of insects and pests love to take advantage of the gaps between the siding material and the glass.
Another common problem is condensation forming inside the window frames and leading to mold growth. These issues are caused due to poor design choices made during the construction phase of building the house/home. Typically, a builder chooses cheap materials, such as cheaper grades of lumber and vinyl roof tiles instead of high quality options. Also, most builders opt for standard designs instead of designing unique solutions for specific needs. This leads us to why many homeowners choose to upgrade to different types of products, such as metal screens, vinyl panels, etc.
Websites like Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter play a role in promoting certain goods and services. As this becomes more prevalent, people start thinking about ways that they could market themselves better through social media channels to promote their business ventures. Business cards are still relevant but they aren’t really used anymore unless you’re talking to someone face-to-face. Instead, people use LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and similar networks. They try to keep things organized rather than sending out multiple emails every week, as in years past. We’ve already gone over how email is becoming less effective today so just focus on trying to connect with people on a personal level first. A picture on your profile shows potential clients something about you as a human being.
If you run a small business, having a website is crucial. Even if you’re starting out a solo effort, chances are your customers will find you online anyway since everything begins somewhere.

This guide will help you understand why shutters should be used to improve your home/condominium exterior curb appeal.
Why install California Shutters?
California Shutters offer many benefits including increased energy efficiency, privacy protection, improved security and aesthetics! Additionally they can increase your property value while adding additional income stream during your lifetime. We provide multiple options of different color combinations, styles, textures and custom designs available for all types of homes. When choosing which California Shutters products would work well for you consider these key points:
Which areas of your house and condo does this project cover? If you live in a high rise building, then installing California Shutters along with the windows on each floor level can result in significant savings in heating costs. As with any window replacement project, California Window Shutters are a good investment due to the long term payback period involved. If your patio covers several rooms, consider having them installed. Awnings and umbrellas can protect the patio area from harsh weather conditions like rain and strong winds. Finally, if the only thing keeping a room warm is sunshine coming through the glass roof, California Shutters can dramatically reduce heat gain inside while maximizing views beyond the walls.
How big is the space being covered? Some California Shutters come with adjustable panels allowing extra size to fit smaller spaces without sacrificing privacy. Others with larger panes allow greater visibility but retain privacy.
What colors match my style? For example some people love dark shades while other prefer light ones. Many homeowners find themselves torn between wanting to maintain privacy and enjoying natural sunlight. By selecting matching colors of both the inner pane and blinds, you can achieve balance by utilizing the full range of available colors/hues. Also note some California Shutter manufacturers provide special custom finishes to blend existing interior decorating schemes or accent the unique architecture details present in older structures.
Do California Shutters Match My Existing Property Details? Your home’s architectural details must be considered when designing a California Shutters system. Is the location sun drenched? Do trees obstruct your view? Does the structure include columns or railings? Consider the amount of shade required from nearby buildings or houses.

This article will cover the following topics:
What makes us different than other Shutter companies in terms of materials used & quality.
Why should I use motorization?
How do these products work?
Who installs them?
And finally… what does this mean for me?
What makes us unique is that we offer custom built shutters made from premium solid pine lumber sourced exclusively from Oregon forests. Our doors are the same exact dimensions as a traditional door which means you have less “wiggle” room on the sides and ends during assembly. We offer many styles including: fixed louvered/shutters, sliding panels, casements, bifold, plantation style, bay windows, French doors & patio screen. All of our shutter systems include hardware, weatherstripping, storm window gaskets and a 20% discount towards a lifetime warranty.
We provide FREE SHIPPING to most U.S. locations through UPS ground shipping. We ship via USPS Priority Mail International Flat Rate box service. Shipping times vary depending upon location but typically arrive within 2 weeks. If shipping outside the US please call 866-926-4248 for faster delivery options. We are currently working on a website redesign and some additional improvements but for now feel free to navigate around the store as normal. Thank you for shopping with Shutter Boys.
If you would like to contact the author of this post please email [email protected] for further information regarding Shutterboy’s products and service offerings.