Painted Exterior Shutters

Color has a major influence on the appearance of exterior shutters and the overall character of a home. Shutter color can create contrast, complement siding and trim, or provide a subtle finishing detail that ties the exterior together. The quality and consistency of the finish are equally important, especially on shutters with detailed louvers, panels, joints and edges.

ShutterLand wood, composite and PVC custom exterior shutters can be ordered factory-painted, primed only or fully unfinished. Factory-painted shutters are professionally sprayed for smooth, uniform coverage across the faces, backs, edges, louvers, panels and other detailed components.

Factory-Painted Exterior Shutters

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 coating moves with the underlying shutter material as it responds to changes in temperature and weather. UV absorbers help protect the finish from prolonged sunlight, while built-in mildewcides help slow the growth of mold and mildew.

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 across 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 without the stronger reflection of semi-gloss or high-gloss paint. Other sheen levels are not available.

Factory painting generally adds a few production days. The shutters arrive painted and ready for installation, and a jar of matching touch-up paint is included with each order for minor blemishes or scratches that may occur during installation.

ShutterLand Standard Paint Colors

ShutterLand offers nine standard exterior paint colors selected to complement a broad range of architectural styles and exterior color schemes. Black remains the most popular shutter color and provides a traditional appearance that works with many siding, brick and trim combinations.

Select from nine standard paints matching popular Benjamin Moore colors:

Do not make a final paint selection based solely on colors displayed on a computer or mobile screen. Obtain a current Benjamin Moore color sample or color chart to confirm the desired shade before ordering

Standard White is $35 more per shutter than the other standard colors because light-base paints require additional material and labor to achieve uniform coverage.

Custom Exterior Paint Colors

Custom paint colors are available when a color outside the standard selection is needed. Supply the paint manufacturer, color name and color code when ordering.

A physical color sample at least 4 × 4 inches may also be mailed to:

ShutterLand
PO Box 6926
Leawood, KS 66206

Custom colors are mixed to closely approximate the specified manufacturer color or submitted sample. Exact color reproduction cannot be guaranteed because paint appearance can vary with the coating system, substrate, sheen, and viewing conditions.

A one-time $250 charge applies per custom color, not per shutter. Custom white or other light-base colors may also require an additional $35 per shutter because additional paint and labor may be necessary for consistent coverage. Any additional charge will be presented for approval before the order is processed.

Paint Drying and Cure Time

Water-based exterior coatings dry gradually and continue to harden after application. An accelerated drying process allows factory-painted shutters to be packaged and shipped shortly after painting.

The finish is dry enough to handle and install when the shutters are received, but continues to cure after delivery. Open the packages shortly after delivery and handle painted surfaces carefully.

Store shutters horizontally on edge on a clean, dry, flat surface. Do not store them standing vertically or leaning upright for extended periods. Use polyethylene plastic sheeting or parchment paper to separate shutters. Do not allow shutters to remain in contact with cardboard or other packing material for an extended period.

The coating reaches full cure in approximately 21 days. Until fully cured, avoid abrasive materials, harsh or commercial cleaners, prolonged pressure against painted surfaces, and other conditions that could mark or damage the finish.

Primed Exterior Shutters

Wood, composite and PVC exterior shutters can be ordered with a factory-applied coat of General Finishes Enduro White Undercoat primer / sealer without finish paint. This option allows the final color to be applied after delivery using locally sourced or custom-matched paint.

Primer seals raw surfaces, promotes uniform paint coverage, improves finish-coat adhesion, helps block stains and bleed-through, and provides a suitable bonding surface for 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. Follow the paint manufacturer’s preparation, application, drying and curing instructions.

Unfinished Paint-Grade Exterior Shutters

Wood, composite and PVC shutters can also be ordered fully unfinished without factory-applied primer or finish paint. All surface preparation, priming and painting must be completed before installation.

Clean all surfaces before finishing. Sand wood and composite shutters as necessary. PVC should be lightly scuff-sanded to promote paint adhesion. Remove all sanding dust before applying a compatible exterior-rated primer.

After the primer has dried, lightly sand as needed and apply two or more coats of high-quality exterior water-based paint. Completely coat all faces, backs, edges, joints, louvers and panels to provide consistent protection.

Combination paint-and-primer products are not recommended. Follow the coating manufacturer’s instructions for surface preparation, application, drying and curing.

Paint-grade shutters are not suitable for staining.

Unfinished Stain-Grade Wood Shutters

Stain-grade finishing is available only for qualifying wood shutter styles. Louvered, Bahama and board-and-batten wood shutters can be stained. Solid panel wood shutters contain a composite center panel, and cannot be finished with a transparent stain.

Lumber for stain-grade shutters is selected for relatively uniform grain and appearance. Minor natural blemishes may be filled with stain-grade wood filler.

Unfinished shutters arrive pre-sanded, although light finish sanding may be necessary before stain or another protective finish is applied.

Unfinished wood shutters must be properly finished on all surfaces before exterior installation. Follow the finish manufacturer’s recommendations for surface preparation, application, and the number of coats required for exterior exposure.

When a third-party painter or contractor will finish and install the shutters, coordinate the schedule well in advance. Current manufacturing estimates are available on the Production and Shipping Times page, and transit typically requires additional time. Order the shutters and exterior shutter hardware early enough for all materials to be on-site before scheduled finishing or installation work begins.