Here’s something unique — some people install motorized products like shutters because they think that makes them “better”. But I’ve found no evidence, empirical or otherwise, which indicates this is true. Not once.
And yet every time someone asks me why they should consider installing motorized shutters, they will explain that they’re worried about falling rocks hitting their pool…and then they’ll ask whether they would be safer with a screen door.
I tell them that screen doors are probably fine; but even though there aren’t really many homes with pools in Los Angeles — especially those built prior to 2010 — most of us already live near mountains or foothills, which means water runoff isn’t going anywhere fast. And if these folks do decide to buy a home with a pool, it’s unlikely they’d ever hit a rock large enough to damage a house or other structures nearby. So I’m happy to say that I doubt anyone could get hurt from a properly installed shutter.
But, just in case, when my next client installs shutters he does use proper precautions — including securing his home against power outage during storms, having a well rated backup generator on hand; checking for weak spots around the perimeter of his project, making sure everything is safe (including his dog!), and putting multiple layers of protection to protect against leaks while waiting for winter weather to slow down until springtime before closing anything permanently. He takes extra care to seal windows and skylights to prevent moisture intrusion, uses waterproofing materials wherever possible (which sometimes requires digging trenches), and puts tarps and drop cloths under trees that might fall onto potential areas of weakness in the ground. Even with all of these additional steps taken — and assuming a perfect storm scenario — his clients who chose window coverings still won’t see any appreciable difference in terms of safety in comparison to a screened porch.
If you would prefer to read about the benefits of shutting your home or condo up completely, please read The Ultimate Guide to Installing Completely Automated Shutters.

California shutters provide protection against sun exposure while still allowing ventilation through small mesh windows, they block excess heat and ultraviolet rays, they offer privacy and security without blocking natural light. They help insulate homes or buildings, making them energy efficient. They keep insects under control; they protect furniture and artwork from damage caused by moisture and weather conditions.
WHAT IS A CALIFORNIA SHUTTER AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
A California Shutter is made of glass or synthetic material, depending upon the amount of coverage required. All panels come with metal mounting hardware which will be attached to exterior sheathing. Most manufacturers offer standard shingle trim options along each edge of the paneling. We recommend having these installed prior to assembly of the home siding because the metal flashing helps prevent water intrusion once installed. Once the project is complete and the cladding/exterior surface is painted, this should eliminate most concerns for mold issues that arise during construction phase of projects.
HOW TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT ONE??
To decide whether a California shutter system would work for you, consider 3 things below…
1) Space to install – If you’re considering installing a full length window coverings then look at a large screen width and height and high quality materials. A single pane wood window covering won’t cut it for long term use. For example on my pool deck I’m currently using 4×8′ aluminum patio screens. These allow me to see outside but nothing larger than 5ft wide past them. On the inside however, 8 foot boards of wood blind slats hold up nicely and I am able to fit 10+ ft board lengths.
2) Cost to purchase and maintain – Do you like spending $$$$? Or are you willing to invest some $$$$ upfront to save $$ down the road on maintenance costs? Remember that for every additional year you own your house – you’ll pay ~$10k per yr for windows, doors, roof vents, gaskets & caulking to replace/replace and repair. If you know how many years you intend living in your residence and expect to live beyond those dates – then an investment is justified.

In this post I will be talking about some trends for the coming years with regards to installing shutters in the United States, specifically focusing on California.
California is home to many different types of homes, including condos and single family detached houses. Each type of home requires certain types of shutters and installations in order to protect them from sun exposure. The most common way to install these shutters is through the use of wooden slats which cover the windows and doors. The wooden slats come with a frame and they are designed to fit perfectly on top of each other like picture frames. They provide protection against wind damage while allowing light to penetrate through them. Wooden shutter systems are available in both horizontal and vertical styles. Horizontal style shutters are generally used for larger rooms like bathrooms or large living areas because they are easier to clean than vertical ones. Vertical style shutters are usually made out of aluminum or vinyl and tend to work well when installed along a wall because they allow more natural sunlight inside the house. Vinyl shutters are typically the cheapest choice but they are not recommended in humid climates due to high levels of humidity being able to warp and crack the material.
The following video gives us an idea of what a typical residential shuttering system looks like and the steps required to complete installation.

Before getting started installing your new pool shutters, take some time to decide which type of shutter will work best for your home and surroundings.
Pool shutters come with several different options for mounting styles including flush mount; recessed/hidden mount; floating track system; and many other options.
There are four main types of pool shuttering commonly used today, each of these has some advantages and disadvantages associated with them. Each must be installed properly to get the most benefit possible in terms of energy efficiency and privacy. We go through each type below:

Here’s my monthly overview of this week’s posts I published on Medium, along with links back to them. Here again they can click on the title “Read More”to see the post.
I hope you enjoy browsing through my reading material. Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments, suggestions, and feedback. Thanks!

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Wood shutters provide unmatched functionality and value for home owners who prefer modern aesthetic yet enjoy high standards of comfort inside while providing added security against unexpected rain, hail, sun damage, theft, fire, vandalism etc. Wood shutters allow homeowners to customize the appearance of the exterior doors without compromising privacy and safety concerns which are often associated with vinyl siding products.
In fact, many studies show that homeowners living near high elevation areas benefit greatly by installing wood window shutters versus traditional windows; especially around mountain ranges such as Colorado and Montana.
For those looking for the most cost effective solution, wood window coverings offer significant savings over vinyl window options due to lower raw material costs combined with superior quality materials used to manufacture wood shutters.
Vinyl California Shutters, manufactured exclusively via injection molding technology, are highly durable products suitable for use indoors and outdoors for decades to come. However, they lack versatility and customizability as does vinyl sheet roof applications like shingle replacement and soffit, fascia boards, gutters, vent caps and flashing.
This year will be the first season where California Window Fashions manufactures both types of shuttering in their production plants located at:
1) West Monroe Street in Memphis TN (North America Headquarters)
2) San Jose, CA (Production Plant #7). We are pleased to announce this exciting news for our California customers who wish to utilize these new manufacturing capabilities.
California shutters are made exclusively through advanced 3d printing methodologies at our state licensed facilities located throughout North America.
In addition to being much stronger than standard vinyl window films, wood California shutters come with built in advantages that make them ideal outdoor protection systems.
Many other manufacturers rely solely on the use of PVC film that lacks strength, UV protection, water resistance and tear/wear resistance properties, making it susceptible to weather related problems such as cracking, blistering, delaminating and peeling. These deficiencies result in failure of the system after multiple years of service which typically leads to costly repairs and replacements, resulting in substantial losses for our industry. Our proprietary injection molded California shutters can withstand harsh weather conditions and stand-alone for decades.

In this post we will be discussing cost estimates, benefits, and other information regarding installing shutters on pool homes. We’ll cover everything you need to know to help get started including costs, materials, labor rates, and other details. So let’s take a closer look…
California shutters come in several types of construction styles, but most common ones include: Wood Veneered Aluminium Composite Panel, Vinyl Laminate Panels, Fiberglass Panels & Wood Clad Aluminum Frames. They’re available in different sizes as well; some being large enough to cover entire rooms while smaller ones cover just windows.
We’ve found that many homeowners prefer vinyl panels because they offer a great deal of flexibility, allowing them to install them in almost every way imaginable. For example, vinyl paneling comes standard in both 2×4′ and 4×8′, which are perfect size options for covering large openings like sliding glass doors. And since they can easily blend in with the rest of the home, vinyl panels often provide better privacy than traditional wooden frames. However, vinyl panels aren’t ideal for those who love natural finishes, and they tend to fade easily over long periods of sunlight exposure.
If you’re interested in wood cladding, then fiberglass is probably your top choice. It’s made primarily from recycled plastic bottles, making it incredibly light weight yet extremely durable. While fiberglass shuttering tends to be pricier than vinyl or aluminum panels, it offers a lot more versatility. Since it’s typically only used for window applications, it’s often easier to find what you need locally than larger panel systems. Also, unlike vinyl panels, fiberglass does not fade or peel away like paint, so you won’t ever see unsightly gaps around your windows after years of use. But the main problem with fiberglass products isn’t really their durability—it’s their appearance. If you opt for a solid color, they look very plain and boring, so it’s usually necessary to go with custom designs. And although they are very affordable, custom designs are rarely cheaper than standard designs.
So, if you’d rather get creative with your shuttering design, vinyl might be your best bet.

I am passionate about building beautiful homes, specifically those built in coastal counties like Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, San Luis Obispo County, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, Marin County, Sonoma County, Solano County, Sacramento County & Humboldt County in northern CA. These areas offer the most breathtaking views of blue skies & ocean vistas; they’re stunningly magnificent yet affordable enough that homeowners who aren’t necessarily wealthy but aspire to live in these environs can buy a waterfront property without being priced out of the market. I believe my passion will enable me to be able to tell this story every day because we will always remain true to our core values — quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, safety/security, environmental responsibility, customer satisfaction & providing exceptional service. We take pride in putting each project through rigorous testing before delivery. Our clients love us even though they hardly ever see us during construction. And we get great feedback whenever we go back to work after completing projects.
My favorite thing about working on shuttering homes is seeing homebuyers come out of their shell once everything is completed. They finally feel safe allowing themselves to experience something beyond just building walls for a living and that feels wonderful to witness.
For many people in Northern California, including myself, “home improvement” isn’t really part of everyone’s vocabulary. But that should never stop anybody from getting involved in improving our environment, making life better for ourselves and our families, and achieving greater fulfillment — regardless of whether you’re single or married. Here at Shutterboy Custom Shutters & Blinds, Inc., we make upgrading your outdoor living spaces easier than ever by combining unparalleled expertise in design and construction with outstanding customer care.
We provide custom designed and installed exterior blinds, shades and doors — both inside and outside—as well as replacement windows and patio enclosures. When you select Shutterboy, you hire someone personally responsible for helping bring your ideas on paper — and then onto reality — and we do whatever possible to ensure your complete satisfaction no matter which products we sell or installations we perform.

In this blog post, we will walk through some of the most popular options available today, including custom made, standard designs, and more. We will go over different styles, colors, materials and other design aspects that will help narrow down the choices. Then we will talk about which type would be ideal for our pool home or condo. At Shutterboyz, we offer a wide selection of products that fit every style and budget. Whether you prefer solid wood panels, louvers, sliding windows, doors or shutters, we stock them all. If you find yourself wanting something more unique than those offered in store, feel free to contact us for special order requests!
For the purpose of this article, we will focus exclusively on pool homes, since they are typically located in warmer climates and therefore, have larger areas exposed to sunlight during summer months. However, the concepts discussed are applicable to almost all types of structures and locations around the world.
We will cover several topics:
What is California Shutters? A little history lesson first. When people picture a “California Shutters”, what images pop into their minds? Perhaps a house covered by wooden boards nailed together, perhaps shuttering used for shade or privacy, but what exactly does ‘Swiss Cottage’ really mean?
If you answered something like ‘wooden walls’; then you’re probably thinking of a traditional Swiss cottage. These cottages often feature gabled roofs, dormered ceilings and other architectural details common to cottages built prior to World War II. They were commonly found along riverside properties where homeowners would use simple forms of weather protection against harsh northern winters and hot southern summers.
This was long ago, and modern day California cottages tend to differ greatly from those of old. Today’s Californian cottages generally incorporate contemporary styling, making them less heavy duty and sturdier. For instance, instead of simply covering the exterior wall, today’s California cottages usually include glass panes and windows as well, allowing light inside while still maintaining warmth outside.
There are many benefits associated with installing California Shutters.

This year you should expect the pool enclosure industry to see continued changes due to the recent rise of solar panel energy production. Many homeowners who own pools will be replacing those panels soon enough because they’d rather invest in energy storage systems instead. But just like most home improvement projects these days, building a pool enclosure isn’t something many people tackle without some help; especially once you consider all the different parts involved. After all, this type of project involves framing around openings, running electrical wiring through walls, sealing windows, mounting screens, hanging doors…the list goes on. So why go DIY? For starters, hiring someone to do all this work for you usually costs $4,000-$10,000 per window. But with shuttering technology it’s possible to customize and engineer your own solution to save hundreds of dollars per unit. Here are 12 points worth noting.
#12 Customized Solutions
Shutters are essentially custom designed products made specifically for each customer depending on his/her needs and preferences. A standard size “box” design won’t cut it anymore. Today’s modern homes demand high customization options and shutters are no exception. They offer endless possibilities for creative designs and functional solutions. Some examples include; slatted blinds which use space in unused areas to provide shade during hot summer months, light filtering blinds for privacy, thermal insulation or shading, retracting roller shades, sliding horizontal curtains, and various other specialty configurations and functions.
#11 Superior Product Quality and High Performance Efficiency
One of the main advantages associated with using shutters is the superior quality of materials used along with exceptional manufacturing standards. With shutters, you get unmatched functionality, durability, aesthetics, safety, and cost savings. Because everything is built from engineered components, shutters always perform better than traditional screen enclosures since you’re paying attention to every factor related to proper sizing, construction, operation, assembly, maintenance, cleaning, repair, replacement, and recycling. All of these factors ensure top notch performance while saving money overall.
#10 Durable Materials & Long Service Time
We’re talking about longevity here. Most manufacturers say their vinyl products could survive anywhere from 25 years to 30 years but don’t take our word for it.

For years, homeowners who live near pools or hot tubs have dealt with heat issues caused by their homes facing east or southeast direction during summer months. Sunlight reflects off the surface of these poolside surfaces which causes excessive heating inside the home causing a loss of energy efficiency, increased utility bills and a potential health risk for children and adults alike. For this reason, some people decide to install solar shading devices like California shutters to help reduce sun exposure. If you want your house to be cooler but still enjoy the benefits of having a swimming pool installed, then installing California shutters will solve those problems because they block sunlight and prevent unwanted reflections without blocking natural light completely. But just remember to always use them properly to ensure maximum comfort during outdoor summer days. Here are 10 things you should keep in mind when deciding whether to install California shutters.
1- Is Your Pool Too Small?
If you have small pool size, chances are good that it won’t fit well enough with most types of commercial shutters due to the large amount of opening space required for proper operation. California shutters aren’t suitable for larger openings. So if you’re going to buy California shutters, plan ahead and consider your options carefully or find another solution instead.
2- Do They Block Enough Light?
California shutters usually come in different colors and designs that allow for different amounts of sunshine while providing privacy and protection against insects, rain and other weather conditions. However, the amount that they actually block varies greatly depending on type of shade used and how it’s adjusted manually each day. While the standard white color shades will typically provide protection around 30-40%, lighter hues offer higher coverage levels.
3- Can You Buy Shade Fabric Custom Made?
Custom-made fabric shades can significantly increase shading power. Most manufacturers allow customers to custom order the exact material that meets the needs of specific applications. Depending on climate zones and personal preferences, it’s possible to get shades made to meet varying light requirements with no problem at all. Some companies even include special fabrics designed specifically for the purpose of cooling indoor spaces down during summers; this makes it easier than ever to find solutions that work best for individual situations.

Nowadays pools play a significant role inside the family life and business lives. Pools enhance safety, increase property value & improve your home’s curb appeal. When planning your pool addition or remodel, consider adding privacy screens along the pool wall & patio areas and use shutters to conceal them during the daytime hours. Also, consider installing solar heating panels which will save heat costs and provide energy savings to homeowners in warmer climates. Lastly, install shade structures, umbrellas, pergolas or similar coverings around swimming pools to prevent sun burning. All these products help protect your investment and maintain aesthetic beauty.
California Shutters are manufactured through high quality materials like solid mahogany wood slats covered with UV protected polyester fabric vinyl covering. Each California Shutter panel includes hardware that fits each style profile.
All shutters come with standard measurements of 7ft wide x 8ft long / 18″x 24′ including 2″ gap between panels, 1/2″ thick top rail and bottom clips. Most modern windows come equipped with aluminum or steel storm doors while older homes tend to use wooden door frames. Regardless, most people prefer replacing old wooden doorframes with steel frame counterparts for added strength. These additions cost just tens of dollars apiece but could offer years worth of protection against burglars and other trespassers.
When purchasing a California Shutters system, remember to buy only your exterior side panels. Interior shuttering options include louvered blinds and vertical blinds. These solutions aren’t nearly as substantial as our custom wood Cali shutters. Additionally you would be paying twice the price because both interior and exterior sides must be purchased together. Some manufacturers market this type of combination as triple glazing but they really aren’t. Triple glazings provide less insulation than single glass units therefore making the window susceptible to cracking even after many years. They are usually designed to match a specific roofing material thus further complicating maintenance needs. If you purchase “triple glazed” windows you won’t actually get 3 layers of glass but instead pay double the amount for 1 layer. You’d better stick with plain old single pane glass for a more affordable solution.