"Wonderful little place with big service! Tommy was very helpful without being pushy or pressuring for the entire experience. Showed us several options for custom shades after taking time to understand what we were looking for. Visited our house within a couple of days to measure and priced our top choices for our consideration, including being knowledgeable about the current sales for the various companies being considered. After our decision, he gave us a realistic timeline for ordering and set up installation. Showed up on time for installation, and was very respectful of our carpets (he wore shoe covers) and careful of the window woodwork during removal of old items and installation of new. We were very happy with the entire experience!"
"John was WONDERFUL to work with, especially since this was done online and over the phone as I was in Florida having plantation shutters installed in Wi. His price was lower than other estimates, his work was extraordinary, he was personable, professional, and super efficient. He helped me through the process and made valuable suggestions. Can't say enough good things about him and Better Blinds. My shutters are beautiful, getting lots of compliments. Thanks John."
"Claudia measured the 20 windows when she first visited. All the prep work was done before arrival. The shutters were installed in one day. Every shutter fit. The Covians were efficient; the work was professionally done. They are an excellent sub- contractor."
"The designers were very nice. However, they only recommended/carried a litmit number of suppliers - few of which were in Indy. The suppliers they carreid were also very expensive. Even though I sent pictures, I found that I needed a designer that could come to the house and help find local suppliers for paints and material."
"When I saw the Big Deal email from Angies List for this job I grabbed it, knowing I would need a new roof soon. Consistent with the Big Deal, I got a 40% to 45% discount on the job; as a comparison, a year earlier I received a $20,700 estimate from another roofer. Since Stendahl was rated A’s everywhere, and the roofing materials carried a GAF non-prorated 50 year warranty, it seemed to be a no-brainer. I verified that they were a GAF certified roofing contractor. Steve Spaeth of Stendahl quoted me the price on 6/7/13, when I signed the contract and paid the 50% down. He told me that they would do my roof by sometime in July or August. After a lot of phone calling and multiple delays, they got to my roof on October 11. I’ll let them explain why it took so long. They finished the top roof on a Friday and lower roof on Sunday (rain Saturday). Neither Steve or Jason Stendahl (the company owner) were there to supervise on Sunday; it appeared that Stendahl had two or three jobs going on at once. I was watching them through my windows on Sunday, and noticed that they were not going to replace the old vent they removed from the lower roof over the laundry room and garage (3/5 of the roof covers the garage) nor install a ridge vent, and I became concerned that a vent was needed. I called both Steve and Jason but got no answer. I then discussed this issue with the roofers and since they had no replacement vent I ended up driving to Menards to buy one. Steve later said that he intended to replace the vent but failed to tell the roofers. The next day my wife and I concluded the flashings needed painting; nobody discussed this with me, and the flashing did not look good: white flashing and black caulking on dark shingles! When Steve came later that day to collect final payment I mentioned that and the flashings were within a couple of days. A week or so later I was up on the roof for the first time and found that approximately four feet of ridge shingles over the garage were never installed. I notified Stendahl. Then, on November 17 we had a 2.5” rainfall, and I discovered the flashing on the garage roof had a serious leak, soaking the roof deck and chimney cinder blocks and creating a large puddle on the garage floor. Jason came out and verified that it was a bad flashing, not the chimney, but within a week it began snowing, ending any roof work until Spring. In March I found out the leaky flashing was not the first job on their list, and after several phone calls they came out and fixed the leaky flashing, this time with black flashing with white caulking! However, when it subsequently rained, water still showed up on the chimney cinder blocks in the garage and a spot or two on the roof deck. Since my chimney had been leaking for years and may be the reason for the remaining leaks, in July I had the old crown removed and a new cap installed and the chimney treated with water repellent. I then verified no leaking anywhere with liberal use of a garden hose and several heavy rainfalls. Then, Stendahl came out and installed the missing ridge shingles and repainted all three flashings, BUT the shingles and flashing paint were the wrong color! More phonecalls. On 10/17/14 the correct shingles were installed and on 10/31/14 the flashings were painted the correct color. The entire job took 16 months from signature of contract. It should have taken three months max and ended no more than three days from beginning of roof tear off; had the flashing been done right the first time my leaky chimney would not have been an issue in the delay. I always felt that my roof was low priority and neither Steve or Jason did an adequate job of supervising or inspecting the work of their contractors. I would rate the GAF roofing materials an A but the quality of the flashing and ridge shingle installations sinks my overall job quality rating to a C. Although I think I got a good roof for a great price, my experience overall with Stendahl was negative for all the reasons cited above, plus the emotional stress caused by having to deal with all the unnecessary errors and the constant question "will this job ever get done?" "
Shutters are still very common in Southern, farmhouse, and traditional-style homes, especially those in warm climates who can benefit from the increased efficiency. While modern homes and designs tend to shy away from shutters, shutters are a timeless design style that will likely be around for decades to come.
Estate shutters offer more energy efficiency, privacy, and light control than blinds. They provide better insulation against heat and cold, lowering your energy bills. They’re also sturdy, durable, and last much longer than blinds (up to 50 years or longer). They’re also low-maintenance and can add curb appeal to your home. The return on investment (ROI) for estate shutters is around 75%.
The most popular estate shutter brands include Hunter Douglas, Budget Blinds®, and Graber®. Hunter Douglas shutters cost $20 to $26 per square foot and include high-quality hardwood and faux wood options. Budget Blinds shutters cost $20 to $24 per square foot, depending on if you choose natural wood or another material. Depending on the material, Graber shutters range from $18 to $24 per square foot.
Wood is the most classic shutter material. Common options include pine, cedar, or brasswood. MDF shutters are also a more affordable option that retains the timeless, classic look. Composite shutters, mainly vinyl and aluminum shutters, have also become more popular over the years. You may also find steel shutters, sometimes referred to as security shutters, used on the exterior. Shutters also come in various colors and finishes, adding another layer of design flexibility.
Not all windows are suitable for shutters, as certain styles can prevent them from functioning correctly. It's best to avoid installing shutters on bay windows, picture windows, dormer windows, and double-mulled windows. Shutters are better suited for large, full-size standard windows or French doors.
Additionally, consider the room's lighting needs. Since shutters effectively block light, they are an excellent choice for rooms where you want more darkness and privacy, such as a master bedroom or a main living room. For window types that are not ideal for functional shutters, some homeowners choose to install fixed (non-functional) shutters to maintain a consistent look across the home.
The Sheboygan, WI homeowners’ guide to window shutter services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Estate shutters can add a stately appearance to your home and block out light. Learn how much estate shutters cost, depending on window size and material.
Discover exterior shutters cost, including average prices, installation factors, and ways to save. Get expert tips to plan your exterior shutter project.
Looking for exterior window treatments for safety and curb appeal? Learn about standard shutter sizes to see what size you need and how to nail the proportions.
Learn which shutters you should install based on where you live and how much natural light you enjoy. This guide shares all the need-to-know information about indoor shutter styles and materials to help you make the best choice for your home.
Impact-resistant windows and hurricane shutters protect a home’s exterior in severe weather. This guide covers the differences so you can choose the right one.
