Color has a major influence on the appearance of exterior shutters and the overall character of a home. A carefully selected shutter color can create contrast, complement surrounding trim and siding, or provide a subtle finishing detail that ties the exterior together. The quality and consistency of the paint finish are equally important, especially on shutters with detailed louvers, panels and joints.
ShutterLand factory-painted wood, composite and PVC shutters are professionally sprayed to produce smooth, uniform color across the shutter faces, backs, edges and detailed components. Factory finishing eliminates the inconvenience of painting the shutters after delivery and allows them to arrive ready for installation.
Factory-painted exterior shutters are finished with General Finishes Exterior 450 Topcoat, a professional-grade, water-based exterior urethane/acrylic coating formulated for vertical outdoor surfaces.
The flexible finish moves with the underlying shutter material as it expands and contracts with changes in temperature and weather. This flexibility helps reduce cracking, peeling and separation.
The coating contains UV absorbers that help protect the finish from prolonged sunlight and built-in mildewcides that slow the growth of mold and mildew. Its adhesion, durability and resistance to water and normal exterior wear make it well suited for exterior shutters.
Wood, composite and PVC shutters are prepared and sprayed with a base coat of General Finishes Enduro White Undercoat primer / sealer. The primer is lightly sanded before two coats of Exterior 450 are professionally applied. The controlled spray process provides consistent coverage around the shutter faces, backs, edges, louvers, panels and joints.
All factory-painted exterior shutters are finished in a satin sheen. Satin provides a refined appearance with enough luster to highlight the shutter design while avoiding the excessive reflection of semi-gloss or high-gloss paint in outdoor environments. Eggshell, low-luster, and matte sheens result in a flat or dull presentation. Our equipment is properly and permanently calibrated for applying a satin sheen, and we do not deviate from those settings.
Painted shutters generally require a few additional production days but arrive ready to install. A jar of matching touch-up paint is included with each order to cover minor blemishes or scratches that may occur during installation.
With virtually unlimited exterior shutter colors available, choosing the right shade for your home can feel overwhelming. Black exterior shutters remain the most popular choice, offering a timeless look that complements many architectural styles. ShutterLand also offers nine standard paint colors selected to meet the needs of most homeowners.
Select from nine standard paints matching popular Benjamin Moore colors:
White (+$)
Black
Charcoal Slate
Black Forest Green
Chrome Green
Hamilton Blue
Country Redwood
Cottage Red
Tudor Brown
OC-151
HC-190 or 2132-10
HC-178
HC-187
HC-189
HC-191
HC-183
HC-184
HC-185
Do not select the paint color based on the visual samples shown here. Obtain a Benjamin Moore color chart to make the final decision.
(+$) Standard White is $35 more per shutter than other standard colors. Additional labor and paint are needed to apply light-based colors.
Custom paint colors are available if a more precise hue is required. Provide us with the paint manufacturer, color name, and color code to match. Or mail a physical sample at least 4″ x 4″ to:
ShutterLand
PO Box 6926
Leawood, KS 66206
Our shop will then mix, match, and prepare the custom paint. “Match” is defined as “nearly equal or similar to, approximate.”
A one-time amount of $200 is charged to match each custom color specified. Custom white or light-base colors may require an additional $35 per shutter. The additional amount is needed because light-based colors are more difficult to apply than darker colors, and will be presented for approval before an order is processed.
Water-based exterior coatings dry gradually and continue to harden after application. We use an accelerated drying process that allows the shutters to be packaged and shipped within one day of painting.
Packages should be opened shortly after delivery. Remove the shutters and lean them individually against a wall at approximately a 45-degree angle, making sure the painted surfaces do not contact other shutters or materials. The coating may still feel slightly tacky upon arrival, but the shutters can be handled gently.
For best results, store the shutters indoors for at least five days before installation or exposure to outdoor conditions.
The coating reaches a full cure in approximately 21 days. Until fully cured, handle the shutters carefully and avoid abrasive materials or commercial cleaning products.
Wood, composite and PVC exterior shutters can be ordered with a factory-applied coat of General Finishes Enduro White Undercoat primer / sealer and no finish paint. This option allows the shutters to be painted after delivery in a locally sourced or custom-matched color.
Primer seals raw surfaces, promotes uniform paint coverage, improves finish-coat adhesion, blocks stains, prevents bleed-through, and creates a suitable bonding surface between the material and the exterior paint.
Primed shutters must be finish-painted before installation. Lightly sand the primer with 220-grit sandpaper, remove all dust and apply two or more coats of a compatible, high-quality exterior water-based paint.
Wood, composite and PVC shutters can be ordered fully unfinished, without primer or finish paint. All surface preparation and finishing must then be completed after delivery and before installation.
Clean all surfaces before finishing. Sand wood and composite as necessary, and lightly scuff-sand PVC to promote adhesion. Remove all dust before applying a compatible exterior-rated primer.
After the primer has dried, lightly sand the surface and apply two or more coats of a high-quality exterior water-based paint. Completely cover the faces, backs, edges, joints, louvers and panels. Combination paint-and-primer products are not recommended. Follow the coating manufacturer’s preparation, application, drying and curing instructions.
Paint-grade shutters are not suitable for staining.
Only wood louvered, Bahama, and board-and-batten style shutters can be stained. Solid panel shutters use a composite component that can not be stained.
Lumber is selected for relatively uniform grain. Minor blemishes may be filled with stain-grade wood filler.
Unfinished shutters will arrive pre-sanded. However, some light touch-up sanding may be necessary before priming or staining. Finishing outdoor panels for protection from the elements is strongly recommended before installation.
When using a third-party contractor to finish and install new exterior shutters, plan well in advance. Current manufacturing estimates are posted on our Production and Shipping Times page, and transit typically takes about one week. Order the shutters and shutter hardware early enough to ensure they arrive before your painter or carpenter is scheduled. Because contractors often work within tight timelines, it is best to have all products and hardware on-site before work begins.
