Want to buy window shutters, but not sure where to start?
If you are in the process of buying shutters, you may have found yourself under pressure with the variety of choices and decisions you need to make. Which shutter material to take? What shape and design? Do you really need shutters? These and similar questions will be running through your mind, and this article is intended to make your choice of a shutter model and the decision to buy it easier.
Shutters are an irreplaceable form of upgrading any home, be it a house or an apartment. The ability to regulate light, noise and air flow, along with additional security of the building and the windows themselves, are just some of the advantages of implementing shutters on your building.

Learn more about the reasons why you need window shutters in our article on the subject: link!
If you have already decided to buy a shutter – congratulations! To make your entire purchase process easier, here are 10 things you need to know before you buy window shutters:
Which shutter installation method to choose?
Initially, it is necessary to consider the situation of the building and the possibility of installing a shutter on it. Different principles of installation often bring with them a different style of using the shutter, as well as the design of the shutter itself, which naturally affects the overall aesthetics of the building. In general, we are talking about mounting the so-called Z or L frames, as well as decorative frames and directly installed shutter frames.
For large inaccessible openings, it is best to choose sliding shutters which are installed inside the opening slat or from the outside on the finished styrofoam facade, while it is possible to use single-core, two-core and three-core guide or rails. In the case of balcony openings and other accessible larger openings, folding shutters are the best decision which can have a buried or superstructural guide.
If you have a rustic building, shutters installed directly on the stone ert, frameless shutters as well as those without visible edges of the wings can be an attractive choice. For more classic facades, solutions where the shutter is directly installed on the edge of the facade are a good choice, and can be implemented before the Styrofoam facade is installed. Alternatively, there is the option of installing a shutter up to the window frame itself.
The choice is varied and adaptable depending on the contractor and shutter manufacturer, and at the end of the day it mostly depends on the capabilities of your facility.

Which shutter material to choose?
When you have chosen the method of implementing the shutter on the window, it is important to define the material from which it will be made. In this case, there are three options: wood, PVC and aluminium. If you are looking for long-term investment solutions, wooden shutters may not be an adequate solution for you.
Although they have high-quality insulating properties, they are not resistant to atmospheric changes and unfavorable climatic conditions.
It is possible that they will be damaged, distorted and scraped more easily. If such malfunctions occur, it is also possible for parts of the shutter to fall off, as well as peeling of its colors to occur. Accordingly, maintaining wooden shutters is not easy and represents a continuous additional investment and commitment.
PVC and aluminium shutters, on the other hand, represent a longer-term investment solution. PVC is on average (depending on the contractor and location) a one-time cheaper solution, but compared to aluminium it is not a permanent solution.
PVC can begin to deteriorate under high summer temperatures and the sun to the extent that it becomes impossible to use the shutter properly. PVC can begin to twist and bend, crack, lose color and over time also requires more investment in maintenance and material replacement. Also, shutters made of PVC material are not an adequate solution for sea conditions, strong storm surges, unfavorable weather conditions and floods.
ALU shutters come in many more colors, shades and imitations of wood, and because of the material itself, they always look more elegant and luxurious. Aluminium as a material can be processed and shaped according to needs and offers exceptional strength and resistance against bad weather conditions, making it an ideal candidate for use in coastal areas.
In general, PVC is recommended due to better thermal and sound insulation, but modern ALU shutters are no longer lagging behind in this area either thanks to advanced technological solutions and installation principles.
In conclusion, the shutter material, that is, the choice between PVC and ALU shutters, is determined through two factors: the price and the conditions to which the shutter will be exposed.
Do I need work automation?
Modern shutters can be technologically upgraded through electric drives and remote opening. Automated shutters can be opened at certain angles at certain times of the day, reducing your worry about regulating light and noise.
The automation of work is of course an additional luxury, and thus represents an additional cost when buying shutters for windows. Consider how important this detail is to you, and also research which shutter models specifically allow the use of automated operation.

Buying shutters for windows is a demanding process that you must be well educated about.
What will be the primary purpose of the built-in shutters?
There are many reasons why you might want to install shutters on your windows. If you’re planning to buy window shutters, one of your first thoughts was probably additional light and noise control inside your living space.
However, maybe you want to simply brighten up your home by adding color to its exterior? Perhaps you are looking for an elegant and multifunctional way to protect not only your windows, but also your building in general?
These and similar questions play a significant role when choosing the shutter model that will suit you best. For example, if you want to regulate the light and noise more precisely instead of just enabling or disabling it completely, you probably won’t opt for a fully filled panel shutter.
Certain shutter models come with a built-in mosquito net which provides ideal protection against insects, and allows during summer days to still generate a nice flow of fresh air into the home.

Carefully research the following parameters when choosing a shutter and check if your contractor or manufacturer offers them: aesthetics, multi-functionality, shading, anti-burglary protection, mosquito nets, upgrade-ability, adaptability, robustness, speed and ease of installation, design options, ease of maintenance, rustic design, quality, additional protection for marine conditions and insulating ability.
What kind of filling and what kind of shutter wings to choose?
When talking about shutters, we most often think about shutters with movable slats, fixed slats and full panels. Depending on the extent to which you want to regulate light and noise, you will also choose an adequate form of shutter filling. If you don’t need precise regulation, then paneled shutters can be an ideal solution.
The shape of the slat itself comes in standardized measures depending on the shutter model, and it is possible to further adjust it with the contractor and manufacturer of the shutter. It is often possible to define a different distance between individual slats, which changes the level of light and noise regulation, and gives a different aesthetic design.
The choice of wings depends on the type of opening of the shutter.This includes classic pivoting wings, folding wings or wings with an ejection. In the case of sliding and folding shutters, the method of opening the shutter itself is of course different and is carried out via guides.
Which shutter color to choose?
Aluminium shutters offer the largest selection of shutter colors and designs because aluminium as a material allows for a diverse and wide range of designs. It is generally advised to choose colors that will be adapted to the design of the building where the shutters will be installed.
A common principle of color selection is based on defining complementary or analogous colors that complement each other or depend on each other. A less common, but still valid approach, is a so-called color selection in geometric formats such as triangles, rectangles, and squares, where the color selection is based on the correlation of colors on one defined color palette.
However, in modern architecture, the most common choice is either a contrasting color that will represent a luxurious detail on the building, or a neutral color that will complement the entire building in a unique way.

Which style and aesthetics of shutters to choose?
The style and aesthetics of shutters mostly depend on the style and aesthetics of the building itself. If it is a building of modern architecture, shutters with a modern character multi-functional application will be the best fit. The best example of modern shutters in this regard are sliding and folding shutters.
However, shutters are perfectly suited to all forms of architecture, including traditional and rustic architecture, where rustic shutter models are one of the best choices. Whether it is wooden or stone houses, aluminium shutters will find their perfect application, imitating wood and bringing additional color to the existing building.
The filling method itself as well as roundness of the shutters can further increase their aesthetic factor on the object. If you have decided to buy shutters for windows, aluminium shutters are always the best choice when it comes to enhancing the aesthetics of the entire building precisely because of the characteristics of aluminium as a material.
What size and quantity of shutters do I need?
If you want to maintain a consistent style and design of the building, you will most often decide to install shutters on all the windows of the building. In order to determine your costs as precisely as possible, it is advisable to define in detail the quantity and dimensions of shutters that you will need.
Are your openings of an extremely large format where folding shutters or sliding shutters would be the best solution? Do you need a diverse spectrum of dimensions of shutters for windows or are they standardized shapes? Unique dimensions and shapes require specific work and bring about additional costs.
If you are not sure how to accurately measure all the necessary parameters, but have already determined all the other elements we mentioned, it is advisable to seek help from a trusted contractor or manufacturer who can provide you with detailed and free on-site measurements and at the same time help define all the necessary dimensions, quantities and formats, in order to receive a perfect offer for your unique project.
Before you decide to buy shutters for windows, pay close attention to the precise measurement of the dimensions of windows and other openings. This is certainly one of the most important points! Once produced, a shutter made for the wrong dimensions can represent an expensive and difficult to correct error.
Does the contractor or manufacturer offer you professional shutter installation?
Many modern versions of shutters come with quick and easy installation methods, but if you do not have any experience with shutter installation, it is best to seek professional help rather than risk damaging the shutter and even the window itself.
Look for the possibility of professional installation so that the shutter is installed according to all the manufacturer’s rules and thus ensures its quality and durability. Incorrect installation can often bring with it a violation of the certified values and characteristics of the shutter, and thus ultimately lead to problems with the warranty conditions if it turns out that the wrong installation resulted in damaging of the shutter.

It is recommended to buy window shutters from reliable manufacturers and contractors.
The shutter frame and elements must be installed at proper angles to secure the shutter hardware and reduce the load on the shutter panel itself. A wrongly installed frame can start to twist and crack over time. Such mistakes do not pay off, especially when a high-quality aluminium shutter represents a long-term, if not lifelong, investment solution.
What is the investment value of purchased shutters?
Buying window shutters is a long-term investment that adds to the overall value of your home. It is most often defined as an addition to an object that is made to measure and improves its protection, aesthetics and multi-functionality. In this case, shutters are considered a permanent and fixed improvement of the building, which therefore increases its market value.
In terms of the profitability of the investment for your own building in which you plan to live, you will not make a mistake if you decide to buy reliable and certified aluminium shutters for your windows. They will serve you for decades without any problems and worries!
Bonus: How to choose a quality shutter and a trusted brand?
When you have successfully defined all the parameters of your shutter purchase, it is important to choose a quality shutter from an exceptional manufacturer or contractor with a certified background and long-term experience. Do your research and ask for manufacturer details before choosing your partner.
Relevant companies in the world of shutters will most often have their own showroom where you can see and test all shutter models, find out what options for possible upgrades exist and what colors are available. As it is a larger investment, it is always better to have a visual representation and feel of what you will buy.
Research the companies you are interested in, their guarantees and working conditions, study the experiences of other users who have made purchases from them, and review the continued availability of assistance even after successful sales.
The EUX brand represents certified aluminium shutters of top quality that have been dominating the market for the sale and production of aluminium shutters and related fittings and shutter systems for over two decades. EUX pays great attention to creating an exceptional user experience. Find out more on our pages about the quality of our shutters and fittings, as well as our company in general and its mission and vision.
If you have decided to buy shutters for windows – EUX is the right choice for your next project! Contact us today.
