Exterior Shutter Installation Cost in Southern Maryland: 2026 Price Guide

By Gray & Sons Contracting · October 12, 2026

Exterior shutter installation in Southern Maryland costs $100 to $500 per pair for most homeowners in 2026, with a whole-house project covering 8 to 12 windows running $800 to $4,000 or more depending on the shutter material, style, and whether the shutters are decorative or functional. The total depends on the material (vinyl, composite, wood, aluminum, or fiberglass), the shutter style (louvered, raised panel, board and batten, or Bahama), whether the shutters are decorative (fixed to the wall) or operable (functional hinges that allow the shutters to close over the window), and the complexity of the installation, a straightforward mounting on vinyl or wood siding is simpler and less expensive than mounting on brick, stone, or stucco, which requires masonry anchors and more careful fastening. Most homeowners in Calvert, St. Mary's, and Charles County land in the $150 to $350 per pair installed range for quality decorative shutters that transform their home's curb appeal and complement the architectural style of the house.

Exterior shutters are one of the most cost-effective curb appeal upgrades a homeowner can make, and in Southern Maryland, they serve a function beyond aesthetics. The tri-county area's proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent River, and the Potomac River means homes face salt air exposure, intense UV radiation on south and west-facing elevations, humid summers that promote biological growth, and coastal storms that drive wind and rain against exterior surfaces. The right shutters, in the right material, installed properly, add architectural character to the home, frame the windows, break up large expanses of siding, and, in the case of functional shutters on waterfront and exposed properties, provide genuine storm protection. For homes in the historic towns of Leonardtown, St. Mary's City, and the waterfront communities of Solomons, Chesapeake Beach, and North Beach, shutters are often an essential element of the architectural vocabulary, and replacing deteriorated or missing shutters restores the home's intended character in a way that no other single improvement can match.

This guide covers every shutter material and style, their equipment and installed costs, the cost of whole-house shutter projects, the specific regional factors that affect shutter selection and longevity in the tri-county area, DIY versus professional installation, and answers to the most common questions homeowners ask about exterior shutters.

Cost by Shutter Material

The material determines the shutter's price, durability, maintenance requirements, and how well it holds up to Southern Maryland's coastal climate. Each material has distinct advantages and trade-offs.

Vinyl shutters are the most popular choice in the tri-county area because they hit the sweet spot of affordability, low maintenance, and adequate durability for most residential applications. A pair of quality vinyl louvered shutters in a standard 15-by-60-inch size costs $40 to $60 at retail, and a whole-house project with 10 pairs of vinyl shutters can be completed for under $1,500 installed. Vinyl does not rot, does not need painting, and holds up well to humidity and rain. The trade-offs are that vinyl shutters are visibly thinner and flatter than wood or composite, they lack the depth and shadow lines that make real shutters look substantial, and they can become brittle and crack after 15 to 20 years of UV exposure, particularly on south and west-facing elevations where the sun hits hardest.

Composite and engineered wood shutters are the fastest-growing category because they deliver the look and feel of real wood, with realistic grain texture, substantial thickness, and crisp shadow lines at the louvers and panel edges, without the maintenance burden. Composite shutters are made from a blend of wood fibers and polymers (or from cellular PVC with a wood-grain finish) that resists moisture, rot, insects, and UV degradation. They do not need painting (they come factory-finished in a range of colors) and they hold their shape in the heat and humidity of Southern Maryland summers without warping, cupping, or splitting. For homeowners who want the look of wood without the maintenance commitment, composite is the material to consider.

Wood shutters are the traditional choice and the right choice for specific applications. On a historic home in Leonardtown or St. Mary's City, or on a custom home where authentic materials matter, wood shutters, particularly cedar and cypress, which have natural rot resistance, deliver a richness and depth that no synthetic material can fully replicate. The grain, the weight, the way they hold paint and stain, and the shadow lines they cast are distinctive. The trade-off is maintenance: wood shutters in Southern Maryland's humid, salt-air environment need painting or staining every 3 to 5 years to maintain their appearance and protect the wood from moisture infiltration and rot. Cedar and cypress resist decay better than pine or poplar, but even these species require regular finish maintenance in the coastal climate. Left unfinished or with failing paint, wood shutters deteriorate rapidly, peeling, splitting, warping, and eventually rotting to the point where replacement is the only option.

Aluminum shutters are the performance choice for coastal and waterfront properties. Powder-coated aluminum resists salt air corrosion, does not rot, does not warp, and can be manufactured as functional storm shutters that close over the window and lock in place to protect against high winds and wind-driven debris. For homes on the waterfront in Solomons, Chesapeake Beach, North Beach, and along the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, where salt air exposure is constant and storm protection is a practical concern, aluminum shutters combine durability with genuine protective function.

Fiberglass shutters are the premium choice for homeowners who want maximum durability and paintability. Fiberglass does not rot, warp, crack, or deteriorate in UV exposure. It is dimensionally stable across temperature extremes, holds paint better than any other material (the paint bonds chemically to the fiberglass surface), and resists impact and wind loading. Fiberglass shutters are heavier and more substantial than vinyl, giving them a more authentic look and feel, while requiring none of the maintenance that wood demands. The trade-off is cost, fiberglass shutters are among the most expensive options, but for homeowners who want a "set it and forget it" solution that will look good for decades, fiberglass justifies the investment.

Cost by Shutter Style

The style of the shutter affects both the material cost and the visual impact on the home. Different architectural styles call for different shutter profiles.

Louvered shutters account for the majority of shutter installations in the tri-county area because they complement the widest range of architectural styles, from the colonials and Cape Cods that dominate the established neighborhoods of Waldorf, La Plata, and Huntingtown to the ranchers and split-levels throughout Mechanicsville, Charlotte Hall, and Hughesville. The angled slats create shadow lines that add visual depth and interest, and the proportions are familiar and universally appealing. When in doubt about which style to choose, louvered is almost always the safe and correct answer.

Board and batten shutters are increasingly popular on new construction and remodels in the tri-county area, driven by the modern farmhouse aesthetic. The vertical board-and-batten profile pairs well with the rural character of much of the region and with the farmhouse-style homes being built throughout Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties. Board and batten shutters have a heavier, more rustic look than louvered shutters and make a stronger visual statement, they work beautifully on homes with board and batten or vertical siding but can feel out of place on a formal colonial or a traditional brick-front home where louvered or raised panel shutters are the architecturally appropriate choice.

Bahama shutters are a natural fit for waterfront and bayside properties along the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent, and the tidal creeks of St. Mary's and Calvert counties. Hinged at the top and propped open at an angle, Bahama shutters provide shade, allow ventilation, and, when released from their props, drop down flat over the window to provide storm protection. They are common on homes in Solomons, Chesapeake Beach, North Beach, and Drum Point, where the coastal aesthetic and the practical need for storm protection align. Bahama shutters require more robust mounting hardware than flat-mounted decorative shutters because they bear their own weight on the upper hinge point and must resist wind loading in both the open and closed positions.

Functional (operable) shutters are a premium category that costs significantly more than decorative shutters because of the heavy-duty hardware required, strap hinges, shutter dogs (holdbacks that keep the shutters open against the wall), tie-backs, and slide bolts or shutter bars for securing the shutters in the closed position. The hardware alone can cost $40 to $100+ per pair for quality wrought iron or stainless steel components. Operable shutters also require more precise installation, the shutters must be sized to actually cover the window when closed, the hinges must support the shutter's weight without sagging, and the mounting must be structural (into framing or masonry, not just into siding). For historic homes and for waterfront properties that want genuine storm protection, the investment in functional shutters is worthwhile, but for most homes where shutters are primarily a curb appeal element, quality decorative shutters at a fraction of the cost achieve the visual effect without the complexity and expense of operable hardware.

Equipment vs. Installed Cost Breakdown

Understanding what goes into the installed price helps homeowners evaluate quotes and compare contractors accurately.

The labor cost for shutter installation depends heavily on the siding material. Mounting shutters on vinyl or wood siding is the simplest and fastest installation, the installer drills through the siding and into the sheathing or framing behind it, drives coated screws through the shutter flanges or mounting blocks, and the shutter is secure. The entire process takes 20 to 40 minutes per pair for an experienced installer. Mounting on brick, stone, or stucco is more time-consuming and requires masonry drill bits, tapcon screws or expansion anchors, and careful drilling to avoid cracking the masonry or stucco finish. This adds 15 to 30 minutes per pair to the installation time and requires specialized tools and fasteners.

Shutter spacers or standoff mounts are sometimes necessary on homes with textured siding, uneven surfaces, or deep mortar joints. Spacers hold the shutter slightly away from the wall surface, allowing the shutter to sit flat and flush even on an irregular surface. They also allow air circulation behind the shutter, which reduces moisture trapping, an important consideration in the humid tri-county climate where moisture trapped between a shutter and the siding creates ideal conditions for mold growth and paint deterioration.

Cost for Whole-House Projects

Most shutter projects cover the entire house, replacing all shutters at once ensures a consistent look, and the per-pair cost drops when the project is large enough to justify a contractor's mobilization and setup time.

Costs include shutters, installation labor, hardware, and old shutter removal where applicable. Functional/operable shutters fall at the high end or above these ranges.

A whole-house vinyl shutter project on a typical 10-window home in the tri-county area runs $800 to $2,000 installed, making it one of the most affordable exterior upgrades with the highest curb appeal impact. For context, this is comparable to the cost of a single exterior door replacement, a fraction of the cost of new siding, and significantly less than exterior painting, yet the visual transformation can be equally dramatic. New shutters in the right color, properly sized and aligned with each window, change the face of the house.

Shutter sizing matters enormously for the final result. Each shutter should be half the width of the window it flanks, so a 36-inch-wide window needs two 18-inch shutters, and a 30-inch window needs two 15-inch shutters. When closed (or when imagined closed, in the case of decorative shutters), the pair should fully cover the window opening. Shutters that are too narrow for the window, a common problem with cheap, one-size-fits-all shutters, look obviously wrong and undermine the entire curb appeal investment. Shutters that are the correct width create the visual illusion that they could actually close over the window, even if they are decorative and fixed in place. This proportional correctness is the difference between shutters that look intentional and shutters that look like an afterthought.

Shutter height should match the window height exactly. The shutter should extend from the top of the window casing to the bottom, with no gap above or below. Shutters that are shorter than the window, another common problem with stock sizes that do not match the window dimensions, look incomplete and cheap. Most shutter manufacturers offer a range of standard heights (36, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, and 72 inches are common), and custom heights are available for non-standard windows at a modest premium of $10 to $30 per pair.

Regional Factors for Southern Maryland

Salt Air and Coastal Exposure

Southern Maryland's proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent River, and the Potomac River means that many homes, particularly those in Solomons, Chesapeake Beach, North Beach, Drum Point, Scotland, Ridge, Piney Point, and other waterfront communities, are exposed to salt-laden air on a daily basis. Salt air accelerates the corrosion of metal fasteners and hardware, promotes the deterioration of wood (salt draws moisture into the wood grain, creating a cycle of wetting and drying that breaks down the cellular structure), and can cause premature fading and chalking of painted surfaces.

Material selection for salt air exposure:

• Wood shutters within one mile of tidal water need marine-grade hardware (stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized), annual inspection of the finish, and repainting or restaining every 2 to 3 years rather than the standard 3 to 5 years. Cedar and cypress hold up better than pine or poplar, but even these species require diligent maintenance in salt air conditions.
• Vinyl shutters are unaffected by salt air, the material does not corrode, rot, or absorb salt. This is one of vinyl's strongest advantages in the coastal environment.
• Composite shutters also resist salt air well, as the polymer content prevents moisture and salt absorption.
• Aluminum shutters must be powder-coated or anodized to resist salt air corrosion. Bare or painted aluminum (without a powder-coat barrier) will pit and corrode in the coastal environment. Quality powder-coated aluminum shutters hold up well for decades; cheap painted aluminum will show corrosion within a few years.
• Fiberglass shutters are highly resistant to salt air, the material is impervious to moisture and salt, and the painted surface holds up well in the coastal environment.

Fastener selection for coastal homes is critical. Standard zinc-plated screws will rust and streak the siding within one to two years in salt air conditions. Use stainless steel screws (316 marine-grade stainless for homes within a half mile of tidal water, 304 stainless for homes farther inland but still in the salt air zone) for all shutter mounting in the coastal areas of the tri-county area. The cost difference is modest, $5 to $15 more per pair for stainless steel hardware, and it prevents the rust streaks and fastener failure that plague installations done with standard hardware.

Humid Climate and Moisture Management

Southern Maryland's warm, humid summers, with sustained relative humidity of 65 to 85 percent from May through October, create conditions where moisture management at every exterior surface matters. Shutters mounted flat against the siding with no air gap trap moisture between the shutter back and the siding face, creating a microenvironment where mold, mildew, and algae thrive and where paint fails prematurely.

Best practice for shutter mounting in the tri-county area: Use shutter spacers or standoff mounting blocks that hold the shutter 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the siding surface. This air gap allows moisture to evaporate, prevents moisture trapping, and significantly extends the life of both the shutter finish and the siding surface behind it. Spacers cost $2 to $5 per pair, a negligible addition that prevents moisture-related damage that costs hundreds to repair.

Historic Character of Older Towns

The historic towns and districts throughout the tri-county area, Leonardtown (the county seat of St. Mary's County, with its preserved 18th and 19th century streetscape), St. Mary's City (the original colonial capital of Maryland), Port Tobacco, and the established neighborhoods in La Plata, Hughesville, and Prince Frederick, have a distinct architectural character that relies heavily on period-appropriate exterior details, including shutters. On these homes, the shutter material, style, proportions, and color are not just aesthetic preferences, they are elements that contribute to the historic character of the street and, in some cases, are governed by historic preservation guidelines or local design review standards.

For homes in or near historic districts, wood shutters in the correct period style (louvered for colonial and Federal homes, raised panel for Georgian homes, board and batten for farmhouse and vernacular buildings) are typically the most architecturally appropriate choice. Composite and fiberglass shutters with realistic wood-grain textures have become acceptable alternatives in many historic contexts because they replicate the look of wood with greater durability, but vinyl shutters, with their flat, uniform surface and visible mounting flanges, are often visually out of place on homes with genuine historic character. If your home is subject to a historic overlay or design review, check the local guidelines before selecting shutter material and style.

Wind-Rated Shutters for Coastal and Waterfront Homes

Homes on the Chesapeake Bay waterfront and along the exposed stretches of the Patuxent and Potomac rivers face wind conditions during nor'easters and tropical weather events that can damage or destroy decorative shutters not designed for wind loading. A standard decorative vinyl shutter mounted with two or three screws into siding is not designed to withstand sustained 60+ mph winds, it can crack, tear free from the mounting, and become airborne debris.

For waterfront and exposed homes, consider:

• Functional operable shutters that close and latch over the window, providing genuine storm protection. Bahama-style and colonial-style operable shutters with proper hardware (through-bolted hinges, stainless steel shutter bars) can withstand significant wind loading when closed and latched.
• Heavy-duty mounting with through-bolts or structural lag screws that penetrate the siding, sheathing, and framing, not just screws into siding and sheathing.
• Impact-rated shutters for homes in the most exposed locations. These are aluminum or composite shutters rated and tested for wind-borne debris impact, providing protection comparable to impact-rated windows at a fraction of the cost.

Wind-rated and impact-rated shutters cost more, typically $300 to $800+ per pair installed, but for waterfront homes where the exposure is real, they serve a protective function that justifies the premium over decorative shutters.

UV Exposure on South and West-Facing Elevations

The south and west-facing walls of homes throughout the tri-county area receive the most intense and sustained sun exposure, hours of direct afternoon sun during the long summer days that fades colors, degrades paint and stain, and breaks down materials over time. This UV exposure affects shutter materials differently:

• Vinyl shutters on south and west-facing walls fade faster than those on north and east-facing walls. After 8 to 12 years of intense UV exposure, vinyl shutters can become noticeably lighter in color and may become brittle and prone to cracking. Dark-colored vinyl shutters (black, dark green, dark blue) show fading more prominently than lighter colors.
• Wood shutters with paint or stain finishes degrade faster on sun-exposed elevations. The finish may need refreshing every 2 to 3 years on south and west-facing walls versus every 4 to 5 years on north and east-facing walls.
• Composite and fiberglass shutters generally hold up best to UV exposure, with better color retention and dimensional stability than vinyl or wood.

Practical recommendation: If budget requires mixing materials, use the more UV-resistant material (composite or fiberglass) on the south and west-facing walls and the more affordable material (vinyl) on the north and east-facing walls, where UV exposure is minimal and even budget materials hold up well for decades.

HOA Requirements

Many of the planned communities and subdivisions throughout Waldorf, La Plata, Huntingtown, Dunkirk, and surrounding areas have homeowner association (HOA) covenants that specify exterior standards, including shutter requirements. Common HOA shutter provisions include:

• Required shutter colors (often limited to a palette of approved colors that complement the community's architectural scheme)
• Required shutter styles (louvered or raised panel only, for example, with board and batten or Bahama styles prohibited)
• Minimum material standards (some HOAs require composite or wood and prohibit vinyl)
• Mandatory shutters on front-facing windows (some HOAs require shutters on all street-visible windows as part of the exterior maintenance standard)

Check your HOA covenants and architectural review guidelines before ordering shutters. Selecting a material, style, or color that does not comply with your HOA's standards means removing the new shutters and reinstalling compliant ones at your own expense, a frustrating and costly mistake that a five-minute review of the covenants would have prevented.

DIY vs. Professional Installation

DIY Shutter Installation

Decorative shutter installation is one of the more accessible DIY exterior projects, for homes with vinyl or wood siding, the process involves measuring, marking, drilling pilot holes, and driving screws through the shutter into the wall. The tools required are basic (drill, level, tape measure, pencil, ladder) and the technique is straightforward. A handy homeowner can install a pair of shutters in 30 to 60 minutes.

DIY costs for a 10-pair whole-house project:

DIY savings: Installing shutters yourself saves $500 to $1,500 in labor on a whole-house project, a significant savings that makes DIY attractive for homeowners who are comfortable working on a ladder and have a free weekend.

When Professional Installation Is the Clear Choice

Masonry exteriors (brick, stone, stucco). Drilling into masonry requires a hammer drill, masonry bits, and proper anchoring technique. Incorrect drilling can crack bricks, split mortar joints, chip stucco, or result in fasteners that pull out under the shutter's weight. Professional installers have the tools and experience to mount shutters on masonry quickly and without damage.

Two-story and multi-story homes. Working on a ladder above the first story, reaching overhead with a drill while balancing at 15 to 25 feet, is hazardous for homeowners who do not work at height regularly. Professional crews use proper ladders, scaffolding, or lift equipment and carry insurance for work at height. The risk of a fall is not worth the labor savings.

Functional/operable shutters. Operable shutters require precise hinge installation, structural mounting, proper alignment so the shutters close flush over the window, and hardware adjustment so the shutters swing smoothly and latch securely. The installation is significantly more complex than decorative shutters and requires experience to get right. Poorly installed operable shutters bind, sag, rattle, and fail to provide the storm protection they are designed for.

Large-scale projects. A whole-house project with 12 to 18 pairs of shutters, involving ladder work, old shutter removal, hole patching, and precise alignment of every pair, is a full weekend or more of work for a homeowner. A professional crew completes the same project in one day, with each pair level, plumb, and consistently spaced, and the homeowner's weekend is free.

Homes with existing damage behind old shutters. When old shutters are removed, they sometimes reveal siding damage, rot, insect damage, moisture intrusion, or failed caulking, that was hidden behind the shutter. A professional installer can identify and address this damage during the shutter replacement, ensuring the new shutters are mounted on a sound surface. A DIY installer who discovers rot behind an old shutter may not have the skills or materials on hand to repair the damage before mounting the new shutter, leading to problems down the road.

Shutter Color Selection and Curb Appeal Impact

Shutter color is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost curb appeal decisions a homeowner makes. The right shutter color creates contrast with the siding, frames the windows, and pulls together the exterior color scheme. The wrong color, or a faded, weathered version of what was once the right color, makes the house look tired and dated.

Classic combinations that work in the tri-county area:

• White siding with black or dark charcoal shutters, the timeless colonial look. Clean, high-contrast, and universally appealing.
• White siding with dark green (hunter or forest green) shutters, traditional and warm, particularly on homes with mature landscaping and wooded lots.
• White siding with navy blue shutters, a crisp, coastal look that pairs well with the bayside setting of many tri-county homes.
• Gray siding with white shutters, a modern, clean combination popular on new construction.
• Beige or tan siding with dark brown or burgundy shutters, a warm, traditional palette common on colonials and Cape Cods.
• Red brick with black shutters, the classic combination for brick-front colonials and Georgian homes throughout the tri-county area.

Color consistency is critical on a whole-house project. Order all shutters in the same color from the same manufacturer at the same time to ensure exact color matching. Shutters ordered separately, even the same color code from the same manufacturer, can vary slightly in shade due to production batch differences. This variation is noticeable when shutters from different batches are mounted side by side on the same wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to install exterior shutters in Southern Maryland? Most homeowners in Calvert, St. Mary's, and Charles County pay $100 to $500 per pair installed for exterior shutters in 2026, depending on the material and style. Vinyl shutters run $80 to $200 installed per pair. Composite shutters run $150 to $350. Wood shutters (cedar or cypress) run $200 to $550. A whole-house project covering 8 to 12 windows typically costs $800 to $4,000 for vinyl or $1,600 to $6,000+ for wood. Functional operable shutters with hardware cost $350 to $1,000+ per pair installed.

What is the best shutter material for homes near the Chesapeake Bay? For homes within a mile of tidal water, Solomons, Chesapeake Beach, North Beach, Drum Point, Scotland, and other waterfront communities, composite, fiberglass, or powder-coated aluminum are the best choices. These materials resist salt air, humidity, and UV exposure without the maintenance demands of wood. If wood is preferred for architectural or historic reasons, use cedar or cypress with marine-grade stainless steel hardware, and plan on repainting or restaining every 2 to 3 years. Avoid bare or galvanized hardware, it will corrode and streak the siding within one to two years in the salt air zone.

How long do exterior shutters last in Southern Maryland's climate? Vinyl shutters typically last 15 to 25 years before UV degradation causes fading and brittleness, longer on north and east-facing walls, shorter on south and west-facing walls with heavy sun exposure. Composite and fiberglass shutters last 25 to 40 years with minimal maintenance. Wood shutters (cedar or cypress) last 15 to 30 years with proper maintenance, regular painting or staining every 3 to 5 years, but can deteriorate within 5 to 10 years if the finish is neglected. Aluminum shutters with quality powder coating last 25 to 40 years.

Should exterior shutters be functional or decorative? For most homes in the tri-county area, decorative (non-operable) shutters achieve the curb appeal goal at a fraction of the cost of functional shutters. Functional shutters are worth the investment in two specific situations: on historic homes where period accuracy requires operable shutters, and on waterfront or exposed homes where the shutters serve a genuine storm protection purpose. Functional shutters cost approximately two to three times more than decorative shutters of the same material due to the heavy-duty hardware and more complex installation.

What size shutters do I need? Each shutter should be half the width of the window it flanks, a pair of shutters, when closed or imagined closed, should fully cover the window opening. The height should match the window casing height exactly, with no gap above or below. Measure each window individually, window sizes can vary even on the same house, and order shutters to match. Most manufacturers offer standard heights in 4-inch increments (39, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, and 72 inches) and standard widths of 14 to 15 inches. Custom sizes are available for non-standard windows at a modest premium.

Can I install shutters on brick or stone siding? Yes, but masonry installation requires a hammer drill with masonry bits, tapcon screws or expansion anchors, and careful technique to avoid cracking the brick or mortar. Each shutter mounting point needs a clean hole drilled to the proper depth and diameter for the fastener. On older homes with soft or deteriorating mortar, mount the fasteners into the brick faces rather than the mortar joints for a more secure hold. Professional installation is recommended for masonry exteriors, the cost of repairing cracked bricks or damaged mortar from incorrect drilling exceeds the labor savings of DIY.

Do shutters increase home value? Exterior shutters are consistently cited in real estate and appraisal surveys as one of the highest-return curb appeal investments. They do not add square footage or functional living space, but they significantly improve the home's street presence and perceived quality, factors that influence buyer interest and offer prices. A well-executed shutter installation on a home that previously had no shutters (or had deteriorated, mismatched, or poorly sized shutters) typically returns 50 to 75 percent of the project cost in increased home value and can make the difference in how quickly a home sells.

How do I maintain exterior shutters? Vinyl and composite shutters need only an annual wash with a garden hose and mild detergent to remove accumulated dirt, pollen, and mildew. Wood shutters need annual inspection for paint or stain failure, cracking, warping, and rot, with touch-up painting or full recoating every 3 to 5 years (more frequently on south and west-facing elevations and in salt air zones). Aluminum shutters need occasional washing and inspection of the powder coating for chips or scratches that could allow corrosion to start. All shutters should be inspected after major storms for loosened fasteners, cracked panels, or shifted alignment.

Do I need to remove old shutters before installing new ones? Yes. Old shutters must be removed completely, along with their fasteners, before new shutters are installed. This allows inspection of the siding behind the shutters for damage (rot, insect damage, moisture issues), filling or patching of old screw holes, and proper positioning and mounting of the new shutters on a clean, sound surface. Removing old shutters also ensures the new shutters sit flat against the wall without interference from old mounting hardware.

Ready to upgrade your home's curb appeal with new exterior shutters? Gray & Sons Contracting installs and replaces exterior shutters throughout Calvert, St. Mary's, and Charles County, from vinyl shutters on Waldorf colonials and La Plata ranchers to composite and wood shutters on Huntingtown custom homes, Bahama shutters on Chesapeake Beach and North Beach waterfront properties, and period-appropriate shutters on historic homes in Leonardtown and St. Mary's City. We help you select the right material and style for your home's architecture and your property's exposure conditions, we size every shutter to match every window, and we mount with stainless steel hardware and spacers that hold up in the coastal climate of the tri-county area. Whether you are replacing a few faded pairs or doing a whole-house shutter transformation, we deliver the result that makes you notice your own house when you pull into the driveway. Get a Free Estimate