A much needed summer project is giving your wood or vinyl shutters a new paint job. Lakeside Painting Inc. has a few tips for taking care of this very visible component of your home.

First of all, check to see which type of shutter you have—wood or vinyl. There will be slight differences of approach to cleaning and paint application.

Once you've determined the type of shutter, begin by cleaning the shutter. While shutters can be cleaned while still fixed to your home, it's generally easier to remove the shudders to clean from all angles and with greater ease. While shutters can be cleaned with soap and water, a paint professional will take a pressure washer to the shutter in the interest of being thorough and precise. Indeed, a combination of both cleaning methods is preferred. Carelessness at this step will lead to pealing paint down the line, which is something to be avoided as it leads to future repairs costs.

We also recommend removing excess paints from the shutters. With wood shutters, one can use a scraper and sander, but with vinyl you'll need to be more delicate—use a stiff but soft scrub brush.

Note that wood shutters allow for more dynamic colors because they don't warp as badly from the sun's rays and heat. We know from experience that darker colors tend to warp faster and so lighter colors are preferred. Of course, wooden shudders are prone to warping as well, especially during the winter months, but they are a bit more robust than vinyl but more expensive. (Note: Consider having a paint professional inspect your vinyl shutters to determine their quality, for a cheaper manufacture will doubtless lead to more warping and fading of the paint.)

The desired paint will be a mixture of acrylic and urethane resins. Acrylic doesn't always adhere well to vinyl, which is why the urethane resin is essential. Most paints sold at stores will state on labelling whether they can be applied to vinyl or not. Be sure to check. And we recommend using a primer before applying the paint to ensure proper paint adhesion.

Be sure to paint all sides of the shutters and to give them two coats—skip these steps and the shutters will absorb moisture and need to be repainted sooner rather than later, and might even need to be fully replaced.

Many homeowneres who decide to paint their shutters themselves opt for brushes, but spray paint might be a better choice. However, if you're looking for a more superior, even look, a paint professional's spray system will certainly be desired. Spray paints will never give the DIY enthusiast the precision of a professional sprayer.

If you have any other questions regarding the painting of your home's exterior wood or vinyl shutters, please give Lakeside Painting a call at 262.642.9445 or email us at [email protected].