All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Loading...
Shutters do more than frame your windows — they define the face of your home. Think of them as a pair of sunglasses for your house: they add personality, protect from the sun, and instantly boost curb appeal. Whether you’re renovating a classic bungalow or sprucing up a modern farmhouse, the right shutters in the right finish can make paint, stone, and siding sing together.
When it comes to buying shutters, choices range from big-box retailers to specialty shops. Walmart stocks ready-to-hang options like the 14 1/2 W x 78 H Lifetime vinyl TailorMade two equal panel raised panel shutters in Midnight Blue — great for budget-conscious buyers who want quick results. Home improvement chains such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s offer a balance of stock sizes and custom options, while Wayfair and Amazon provide wide selections, from faux wood to composite styles. For pro-grade pieces and decorative millwork, retailers that carry Ekena Millwork parts are useful, and regional chains like Menards or Build.com are worth checking for specific styles or seasonal sales.
Walmart shutter lineup targets DIYers who need standard sizes fast. The Lifetime vinyl TailorMade shutters are easy to order and come prefinished in colors like Midnight Blue. These shutters typically ship in standard widths such as 14 1/2 inches and heights like 78 inches, making them a good fit for most common window openings. If you want a quick curb-appeal upgrade without the custom lead time, Walmart is a sensible first stop.
Home Depot and Lowe’s both offer stock shutters and the option to special-order custom dimensions. They also partner with installation services if you prefer a professional to handle measuring and hanging. You’ll find variety in materials — vinyl, faux wood, and real wood — plus helpful in-store displays that make matching colors easier. These stores are ideal when you want flexibility between DIY and full-service solutions.
Wayfair and Amazon excel in depth of selection. Need a rustic Board-and-Batten look or a precise 11 1/4 inch by 54 inch Timberthane faux wood shutter in Rough Cedar? Vendors like Ekena Millwork sell decorative shutter styles you can find across these platforms. Expect more decorative options and unique finishes here, though custom sizing may take longer and require careful measurement.
Not all shutters are created equal. Your climate, budget, and the look you want will guide the choice between vinyl, faux wood, real wood, and composite shutters. Below is a practical breakdown so you can match style with function.
Vinyl is the workhorse of shutters. It resists moisture, won’t warp, and usually costs less than wood. Vinyl shutters like the Lifetime TailorMade models are easy to clean and hold up well in humid climates such as coastal zones. If you want worry-free maintenance and a quick install measured in inches, vinyl is a great pick.
Faux wood offers the look of timber without the upkeep. Products such as the Ekena Millwork Timberthane faux wood shutters mimic rough cedar or painted wood textures and are often available in sizes like 11 1/4 inches by 54 inches. They’re ideal for homeowners who love a natural look but need durability against humidity and sun exposure.
Nothing beats the authentic grain and heft of real wood. Solid wood shutters bring warmth and can be custom-crafted to exact inch measurements, but they require more maintenance — sealing, staining, or repainting — especially in climates with wide temperature swings. Choose wood when authenticity and high-end finishes are priorities.
Composite shutters merge benefits of both wood and vinyl: strong, dimensionally stable, and often better insulating than vinyl. If you want a premium feel without the susceptibility to rot, composites are a smart middle ground. They can be a bit pricier per panel, but longevity often justifies the cost.
Shutter style influences curb appeal more than any other single element. Plantation shutters, raised panel designs, board-and-batten styles, and louvered shutters each tell a different architectural story. Choose a style that complements your home’s era: raised panel and louvered work well on colonial and craftsman homes, while board-and-batten and simple flat panels suit farmhouses and modern cottages.
Plantation shutters feature wide louvers and a clean, tailored look. They’re great for interior light control and add a timeless aesthetic to living rooms and bedrooms. Often installed on the inside, these shutters are measured to the exact inch and can be painted to match trim.
Raised panel shutters echo traditional Colonial styling, while board-and-batten shutters create a rustic, cottage vibe. The raised panel option is often available in engineered or vinyl forms — like those you might find at big-box retailers — while board-and-batten is commonly stocked by specialty vendors or craftsmen.
Good measurements are the difference between shutters that look seamless and shutters that look off. Measure your window opening in inches — width at the top, middle, and bottom, and height at left, center, and right. Use the smallest width and smallest height as your baseline, and decide whether the shutters will mount inside the opening or outside on the trim.
Inside mount shutters fit within the window recess and require precise inch-level measurements for a neat appearance. Outside mount shutters cover the trim or hide imperfections and allow for more tolerance in sizing. If you’re buying off-the-shelf sizes like 14 1/2 inches x 78 inches, compare those dimensions to your opening and plan for small gaps or additional trim as needed.
Use a steel tape measure for accuracy, write down three measurements for both width and height, and round down to the nearest 1/8 inch if you plan a tight inside mount. When ordering custom shutters from specialists, provide exact inches and specify whether heights are measured to the top inside edge or to a sill. Don’t forget to check for obstructions like cranks or air vents.
Installing shutters is a common DIY project if you’re comfortable with basic tools and working with precise inch measurements. Ready-made shutters from retailers like Walmart can often be installed with a drill, level, and a few screws. If shutters are heavy, involve grander trim work, or need electrical rerouting for motorized models, hiring a pro is worth the peace of mind.
Gather a level, drill, stainless steel screws, a pencil, shims, and a helper for larger panels. Mark hinge placement in inches relative to the frame. Test-fit each shutter before final fastening and use exterior-grade caulk around outside mounts to prevent moisture intrusion. If you install multiple pairs, verify uniform spacing in inches between shutters for a symmetrical look.
Color choices will make or break the style statement. Bold colors like Midnight Blue (a shade offered on some vinyl models) create eye-catching contrast on lighter siding, while whites and creams read classic and clean. If you choose a faux wood finish such as Rough Cedar, the texture will add a tactile element that looks richer than flat paint.
As a rule of thumb, choose shutters two to three tones darker than your siding for contrast, or match them to trim color for understated elegance. For brick homes, deep greens, navy, or black tend to complement well. Keep in mind that darker colors may show heat expansion in direct sun, so vinyl or composite materials are preferable for intense southern exposure.
Maintenance depends on material. Vinyl and faux wood require little more than a wipe-down with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Real wood benefits from periodic sealing or repainting every few years, especially if exposed to direct sun. Composite shutters need occasional cleaning and inspection for fastener tightness.
In the spring and fall, check shutters for loose screws or warping. Clean vinyl and faux wood with a non-abrasive cleaner, and touch up real wood surfaces with stain or paint as needed. For coastal homes, rinse salt spray off surfaces quarterly to reduce corrosion on hardware and degradation of finish.
Shutter pricing varies widely by material, size in inches, and whether they’re stock or custom. Expect entry-level vinyl shutters to run from about $25 to $80 per panel for common sizes, while faux wood and higher-grade vinyl often land in the $80 to $200 per panel range. Real wood and custom designs can start around $150 per panel and climb to $400 or more for specialty millwork. Don’t forget to budget for hinges, latches, and installation — these can add another $50 to $300 depending on professional involvement.
Buy stock sizes when possible, shop seasonal sales at big-box stores, and compare similar materials across retailers — for instance, a Timberthane-style faux wood at multiple outlets may differ in price and finish. When installing multiple windows, buying sets or ordering a full-home package often reduces per-panel pricing.
Shutters don’t exist in isolation; pairing them with thoughtful exterior elements amplifies effect. Outdoor solar lanterns and path lights can highlight shuttered windows at night, while window boxes and seasonal wreaths draw the eye during the day. The HTML reference included decorative items like solar watering can garden lanterns — small accents like these create a curated look.
Choose hardware finishes that match other exterior fixtures. Black hinges and latches pair well with dark shutters and offer a classic contrast against light siding. If you use warm metal finishes on porch lights, select shutter colors that harmonize rather than clash.
Before you buy, run through a quick checklist: measure in inches and record three widths and three heights, choose material based on climate and maintenance expectations, pick a style that suits your home’s architecture, compare prices across retailers (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wayfair, Amazon), and decide on DIY versus professional installation. With these items checked off, you’ll be ready to transform your home’s exterior with confidence.
Shutters are one of those upgrades that reward you immediately — they’re affordable, visible, and functional. Whether you choose a budget-friendly vinyl pair in Midnight Blue, a faux Timberthane set that mimics Rough Cedar, or custom wooden shutters made to the exact inch, the right selection will elevate the look and value of your home.
Choosing shutters can feel like a small decision with big impact. Start with accurate inch-based measurements, pick materials that suit your climate and maintenance tolerance, and shop retailers that fit your style and budget — from Walmart ready-made panels to specialty millwork found through Wayfair or similar vendors. With thoughtful choices, shutters will not only protect your windows and control light, but also give your home a refreshed, cohesive look that turns heads on the street.
| Shutters | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Ekena Millwork 14 3 4 W X 35 H Mid-america Vinyl Tailormade Size Williamsburg Double Panel Shutters W Installation Shutt | $ 47,87 | |
| 14 1 2 W X 78 H Lifetime Vinyl Tailormade Two Equal Panels Raised Panel Shutters Midnight Blue | $ 117,64 | |
| Twopages Classic Wood Shutter | $ 450,- |
