Exterior shutters are no longer just an accessory for darkening a room. They have become an investment that increases the comfort of living and saves energy, while protecting your home. If you consider buying them, you probably need to orientate yourself in the wide variety of offers. This article brings an overview of the main advantages, comparison of the materials and prices per 1 m², as well as practical tips for choosing the right shutters for your needs.
Why Choose Exterior Shutters?
Exterior shutters have several practical advantages that every homeowner will appreciate. They help save energy by preventing overheating of the interior in the summer and retaining heat in the winter. By creating an additional protective layer, the shutters also increase security and hamper access from the outside. Moreover, they effectively reduce street noise, making your home quieter. And they also provide maximum privacy and immediate shading when needed.
Types and Materials of Exterior Shutters
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | Indicative price per 1 m² | Suitable use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Durable, long life, PUR foam for insulation, security | Higher price | CZK 6,000 (EUR 250) | Energy saving, security |
| Plastic | Lower price, light-weight, easy installation | Lower durability, shorter life | CZK 3,000 (EUR 125) | Affordable solution |
| Screen (fabric) | Modern design, transmits light, protects against overheating | Does not provide neither full blackout, nor high security | CZK 16,000 (EUR 660) | Design, shading of terraces, balconies, and large areas |
* Indicative price in 2025, inclusive of VAT
Slat material plays a significant role when choosing exterior shutters. Each variant offers different properties and advantages.
Aluminium shutters are among the most popular. They stand out thanks to their high weather resistance, excellent heat and noise insulation, and long life. Their slats are filled with PUR foam, providing even better heat and noise insulation. Their disadvantage is a higher purchase price, which, however, pays off due to the long durability of the shutters.
Screen shutters are made of a technical fabric that reflect sun rays, while transmitting pleasant daylight. These shutters do not provide full blackout or a high level of security, but they are suitable for modern houses, terraces, balconies, and large glazed areas, where you will appreciate their design and light weight.
Plastic shutters, or exterior shutters with plastic slats, are an affordable variant. They are light-weight, easy to install, and they provide the basic level of heat and noise insulation. On the other hand, plastic is softer than aluminium, so these shutters may be less resistant to mechanical damage.
In addition to the material, it is also important to consider the installation method. This determines how the shutters will fit in the structure and how they will work in terms of aesthetics and practicality:
- Front-panel shutters are installed in the window aperture, and are therefore ideal for additional installation to finished houses.
- Top-mounted shutters are installed together with the windows, and the box is placed above the window frame. They are primarily suitable for new buildings or when replacing windows.
- Under-plaster shutters are placed in a box installed under the plasterwork, so that it is obscured when finished. This is a suitable choice for new buildings, where the shutters are incorporated in the project.
- Self-supporting shutters comprise a compact unit anchored into the window reveal or to the window frame. This makes the installation fast and there is no need for additional construction works. A typical representative is the Rolosa system.
What Influences the Price of the Exterior Shutters?
The price is, of course, always subject to discussion, and the final price of exterior shutters is influenced by several things. The first one is the type and material. As was already mentioned, aluminium is usually more expensive than plastic, but has higher durability and longer lifespan. The price of one square metre of exterior shutters is approximately CZK 3,000 (EUR 125) for the plastic variants and CZK 6,000 (EUR 250) for the aluminium ones.
However, these amounts are indicative only, as the final price depends on the combination of other factors. Size plays and important role as well. The larger the window, the larger its area and volume of materials used. But in addition to choosing a larger product, larger window apertures also require the use of a more powerful motor or a different type of box, a fact that is likely to increase the total price.
The method of installation also matters a lot. Front-panel shutters are suitable as an additional solution, while top-mounted or under-plaster versions are more likely to be used for new buildings, and this heavily influences the price and installation complexity.
You can also pay extra for the design – special colours or ornamentation always imply additional costs – and the type of controls. Manually-operated variants are cheaper; motorised variants or those connected to a smart home system cost more, but provide a completely different level of comfort.
Installation and life span
When it comes to exterior shutters, it pays not to skimp on installation. If installed by an expert, they will fit tightly, work trouble-free, and last for decades. But if you downplay the installation, it is likely to result in a shorter lifespan and poorer insulation properties.
How to Proceed When Choosing the Shutters?
- Choose the material (plastic, aluminium, screen).
- Choose the method of installation (front-panel, top-mounted, under-plaster, self-supporting).
- Consider the controls (manual vs. electric).
- Ask for a customised quote.
When choosing exterior shutters, the most important thing is what matters most to you. If you want maximum energy saving, aluminium shutters with PUR-foam filling are the optimal choice. If you prioritise a lower price, plastic shutter will be sufficient, as they provide basic thermal and noise insulation. If you want to increase your home’s security, it is worth investing into security shutters. And if modern design and pleasant daylight without the interior overheating is important to you, screen shutters are worth considering.
Exterior shutters combine aesthetics, function, and practical benefits – from increasing the comfort of living to energy costs saving. The variant you choose depends on your priorities and budget.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Exterior Shutters
What is the price of 1 m² of exterior shutters?
The price depends on the material and version. Plastic shutters cost about CZK 2,000–3,000 (EUR 80–125) per 1 m², aluminium shutters start at CZK 6,000 (EUR 250) per 1 m².
What is the difference between plastic and aluminium shutters?
Plastic is more affordable, but less durable. Aluminium is more expensive, but will last longer and offers better insulation and higher security.
Is it worth paying more for electric shutters?
Motorised shutters provide significantly better comfort. You can control them remotely, or they can be integrated into your smart home system.
What are the best exterior shutters blinds for a balcony or pergola?
The most common type of exterior shutters for pergolas, balconies, and terraces are screen shutters that protect against the sun, overheating, and prying eyes, but transmit daylight and allow views outside.
What is the difference between exterior shutters and blinds?
Exterior shutters comprise plastic or aluminium slats that roll up to a box. That is why they darken the room better than the blinds, provide excellent heat and noise insulation while also increasing the security of the house.
Exterior blinds feature tilting aluminium slats, the tilt of which can be adjusted smoothly. They provide better variability in light transmission and look lighter, modern. Unlike the shutters, however, they do not offer such a high level of insulation or security.
In general: both the shutters and the blinds contribute to energy savings. The shutters are more suitable if you are concerned about home security, while the blinds are a great choice for regulating the light and in terms of design.
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