How to Repair and Maintain Wooden Exterior Shutters

When it comes to functional shutters that open and close wood has always been the standard. Wood is inexpensive and frankly there just aren't that many alternatives. But there is a drawback to wood. As beautiful as these shutters may be they probably won't live past the age of 5. That's the average lifespan for a pair of exterior shutters made from wood and it is usually just a matter of time before they warp, split, rot, and then fall off the house. The latter is what makes you look like the laughing stock of the neighborhood and has the HOA breathing down your neck. But, there's good news. If you have a good eye for signs of rot, you can do a lot of preventative maintenance that will allow your shutters to last for up to 15 years. There's just a few tricks you'll need to know.

The first thing you need to know is why they're rotting. The answer is the sun. The sun is the driving force behind all of your rotting problems. Almost all materials contract and expand in the sun. Changes in temperature can cause your shutters to shift and warp. ((Now the chances are if you have a type of shutter with a raised panel, the panel in the middle is usually not glued to the surrounding rails and stiles. It usually is free floating while being held in and there is usually a small amount of breathing room to allow it to contract and expand. )) The problem is that contraction and expansion of different parts of the shutter can often lead to exposing small cracks and parts of the raw shutter that weren't originally painted. If this happens you can bet that water will get in the shutter and the rot process will quickly begin. There's two things you can do to minimize this. Number one, paint your shutters a light or neutral shade. Darker colors, especially black, absorb more heat from the sun and often expand and contract significantly more. Consider using vinyl safe paint, made by Sherwin Williams, which also helps block this absorption. Number two, repaint your shutters every few years, especially in the summer, not the winter, when they have expanded the most. A good rule of thumb is to inspect your shutters during the summer on a hot day and to spot paint any exposed parts. Small attention to details can prolong the life of your shutters 3-fold and save you a fortune in the long-run.

Well, let's say you're past preventative maintenance and your shutters are already showing signs of rot. Don't be surprised if you have to get hands on and actually reinforce parts are all of the shutter. If rails and styles begin splitting apart, you immediately want to tap them back in with a block and hammer and even add an extra screw if needed. If rot has set in, you'll have to scrape it all out or it will spread like wildfire and there will be no saving them. Use Bond-O (R) to fill the voids were you've removed rot. It's a super quick and cost-effective solution that can save your shutters (and yes that's the same stuff they use to repair cars after they wreck!). The Bond-O is strong and can sand easily smooth to match the patch of the shutter you're replacing. Once you retouch the shutter with paint it will look brand new and it can double the shutters lifespan. No one will ever know there was even a rot problem. A big mistake people usually make is to have a painter fix the problem. Painters will often caulk the panels where they meet the rails and styles. Often times painters will do this without understanding that the panels need to be able to contract and expand. This only causes the shutters to warp more and can cause splitting which will also lead to rot or worse.

If DIY is just not your thing, you could also consider replacing those shutters with some maintenance free ones. Vinyl is a great cost-effective choice if you're looking to save money. PVC exterior shutters are also 100% rot proof and maintenance free, but unlike vinyl, they can be installed as functional shutters that open and close and look just like wood without all the hassles. No matter what you decide, just remember that a little bit of preventative maintenance can go a long way.

10 Questions When Choosing a Window Box

1. Can it be painted?
A. If you want the look of paint, then wood or PVC is your choice. Both boxes can be painted to match or complement your trim or exterior house paint. Never paint the inside of a window box. The chemicals can get into the soil and kill your plants and lead to other problems.

2. Can it be mounted to the house? If so, how?
A. Some window planters merely sit on a window sill. If you're looking for a window box that is installed directly into the house as a part of it, then this usually is accomplished with bolts and anchors. Window boxes filled with dirt and water can at times need to support up to 200 lbs. and it's vital that the installation be as secure as possible. Fiber glass boxes often have special mounting clips that indirectly secure the box to the home, but can be dangerous. PVC and wood boxes can be drilled through the back where nuts and bolt can attach the box more directly. Lastly, sometimes additional decorative brackets can be fastened to the home and the box can sit atop of those.

3. How does it drain water?
A. Multiple drain holes drilled into the bottom allow water to drain out. PVC window boxes are ideal, b/c they are water resistant and rot proof and avoid the problems associated with wood ones. Potted plants often lack drainage and are sometimes used to sit inside wrought-iron window box cages. This can sometimes cause problems for plant growth.

4. I have a custom window. Can that box be ordered or built to fit it?
A. A good rule of thumb when measuring your window box is to measure the full width of the window from outer most dimension to outer most dimension. Then, add 6 inches. a little bit of overhang on each end adds curb appeal and helps avoid the embarassment of having too small of a window box for your window.

5. How long will it last before it rots or rusts or cracks?
A. If choosing wood, expect the box to last about 3-5 years before showing signs of rot. Window boxes need lots of water and water and wood usually don't go well with each other. PVC, vinyl, and fiberglass avoid those perils. If you like the look of wrought-iron, consider getting aluminum instead that is powder coated and made to look just like iron. Aluminum window boxes will never rust just like PVC window boxes will never rot. Vinyl boxes are usually made of thin material and can be subject to cracking if overexposed to the sun.

6. Does it hold dirt or potted plants?
A. Usually, an erosion tarp liner is placed in wooden or PVC window boxes to hold dirt in, but allow water to drain. For metal boxes, copper liners are usually used and can be very expensive. Alternatively potted plants can just be placed in the boxes and maintained separately.

7. What flowers do i want to plant in my box?
A. This is an important question. Different flowers and plants require different amount of soil space. Make sure you know the dimensions of the box such as how deep and how tall it is and consult with a professional on knowing the ideal soil space needed for what you want to plant.

8. Where can I buy window boxes?
A. Local garden nursery's will usually carry a few. Often times though, these nursuries will have to special order them from the manufacturer. If this is the case, you can often go online and there are many manufacturers who may sell them to you directly for a better price and get them to you quicker.

9. Which windows are good candidates for window boxes?
A. All of them. I've always been a fan of window boxes and some of the most beautiful homes are ones with 5 or 6 window boxes on the front. J/k, it's important to consider if there are any sun exposure problems or architectural limitations. Placing boxes where they can receive rainfall will help lessen maintenance. If you are going to spend the money on that many window boxes you should definitely consider going with PVC over wood to avoid having to replace them a few years down the road. One exception: placing a window box under a window that is over a front door is usually a bad idea, b/c water can drain on you when you leave the house.

10. How much do window boxes cost?
A. Window boxes come in a variety of sizes, types, materials, and price ranges. More expensive boxes usually are made to be integrated into the house, but can add equity to house as well. Less expensive boxes that don't install can be cheaper b/c they don't have to support as much weight or necessarily be as large. PVC window boxes are quickly becoming the standard, b/c of their longevity and resistance to moisture, but expect to pay in the neighborhood of 15-30% more than wood for these.

Selling Your Home? First Impressions are Everything.

It takes a potential home buyer all of about 10 seconds to decide whether or not a home has potential or not. That first impressions can be the deciding factor on whether or not a homeowner even decides to step foot inside your front door. And when it comes to first impressions, they can often set the tone for a home buyer as well. A buyer who likes what they see on the outside can often overlook problems on the inside or receive them in a different light. A buyer who doesn't like what they see on the outside will often dismiss many of the great features that the inside may have. That's the power of first impressions - so how do you make sure you have a great first one? You start with curb appeal and with making the exterior of your home look great. The bottom line is that the more buyers who step foot in your home and like what they see on the outside, then the better chance you'll not just sell your house, but you'll get top dollar for it as well.

Step one, begin with landscaping. Landscaping is one of the most important overlooked elements sellers make. A professional landscaping company can completely transform a front yard. You'd be surprised how far you can go with just a little bit of money. Simple changes like fresh new sod and a few flower gardens can be done rather inexpensively and are a must if your yard lacks any landscaping highlights. Often the money you put into fresh landscaping you will almost certainly get back three-fold and it will help you sell your house significantly faster. A great idea is to add a window box with fresh flowers if you have a window that overlooks a flower bed. This is a great way to mesh the landscaping with the home so that everything ties together and it gives you a rare architectural detail that can be a powerful selling tool for your home that your competitors will almost certainly be missing.

Architectural accents - nothing turns off a potential home buyer like seeing a home that looks like just another plain Jane on the outside. Home owners want a house with some character and uniqueness that makes them look at the house and say, "wow, now that is something special." Many homes being built nowadays are being built as cheaply as possible and that means builders are cutting corners and spending less, especially when it comes to a home's exterior. If this sounds like your home, consider one of three options. Consider adding architectural brackets to the home to give it some highlights. A few decorative brackets in the right area can break up the monotany of a house that lacks character and give a potential home buyer something else to look at. Exterior Shutters are also a great way to accent a homes exterior and can help add another color to a lackluster home. Functional shutters on hinges help accent windows and add details that create the right first impressions and prime home buyers with the right mind set before they even step into the home.

Even if you're using a realtor, nothing is a better selling tool than having a beautiful home exterior. Realtors often show clients and potential home buyers pictures of a home's exterior and that can be a deal breaker for the client if your home isn't up to par. If you spend a little bit of money on adding some landscaping and architectural detail to your home it can go a long way to helping you sell your home and getting the most out of it.