At the lowest end of the spectrum the typical home appraiser credits a shutter cover over each window at a value of $175. Custom crafted louvers or shutters on higher arched or circular windows add even more value.

Quick answer: Numerous shutter alternatives offer the same level of privacy and light control. Popular options include Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, faux-wood blinds, Roman blinds, pleated honeycomb blinds, and roller blinds.

Wood shutters also offer greater versatility than PVC shutters, which come in limited colors, as they can be stained, painted, or otherwise finished. However, wood is also much more difficult to care for than PVC and is likely to warp and deteriorate with age.

Plantation shutters with their wider panels tend to have a more modern, sleek look, while traditional shutters have a more traditional, classic appearance. The wider panels of plantation shutters also allow for more light control, as they can be opened or closed in various configurations to allow more or less light in.