"leaves me more time to tackle the never-ending plumbing saga, haha."
Haha, plumbing issues are a whole other beast... speaking of composite shutters though, do you find they fade or discolor much over time? I've been considering them for our farmhouse windows, but I'm worried about how they'll hold up under direct sunlight. Anyone notice if certain colors or finishes fare better than others?
Composite shutters actually hold up pretty well in my experience, even under strong sunlight. I've installed them on a few houses, and the fading has been minimal—especially compared to wood. Darker colors might show a bit more fading over several years, but nothing drastic. If you're really concerned, lighter shades or neutral tones seem to age gracefully. And hey, good luck with that plumbing saga...been there myself, you'll get through it eventually!
"lighter shades or neutral tones seem to age gracefully"
Definitely agree with this. Went with a soft gray composite shutter a few years back—still looks fresh. Darker shades might look sharper initially, but lighter colors just seem easier long-term...especially with farmhouse style.
Good call on the soft gray shutters—sounds like they're holding up nicely. Curious though, have you noticed if lighter shades help keep rooms cooler in summer? I've read somewhere that darker colors absorb more heat, potentially affecting energy efficiency. Neutral tones probably have an advantage there too...might be another reason they age gracefully. Either way, your farmhouse look sounds spot-on.
"Curious though, have you noticed if lighter shades help keep rooms cooler in summer?"
I've definitely noticed a difference since we went with lighter shutters last year. Darker colors seemed to trap heat more, especially on west-facing windows. Now our AC cycles less often, which is nice for the bills...
We went with lighter window frames and curtains a couple of summers ago, and I swear it made a noticeable difference. Before that, our west-facing kitchen felt like an oven every afternoon. Now it's still warm, sure, but not nearly as intense. Plus, I think the lighter shades just feel more airy and farmhouse-y, which is exactly what we were going for. Definitely worth considering if you're aiming for both style and comfort...
"Plus, I think the lighter shades just feel more airy and farmhouse-y..."
Lighter shades do brighten things up, but honestly, darker frames can add a nice contrast and depth that's super cozy. We did dark charcoal frames with sheer curtains—still airy, but feels grounded and inviting...just another angle to consider.
Totally agree lighter shades give that breezy farmhouse feel, but darker frames can really anchor the space nicely. If you're unsure, maybe try darker frames in just one room first—like the kitchen or dining area—to see how it feels before committing everywhere.
Did exactly that in my dining room—went with darker frames thinking it'd be temporary... now it's my favorite room in the house. Definitely worth a test run if you're on the fence.
Darker frames can definitely add character, but don't overlook energy efficiency when you're choosing windows. I went with darker fiberglass frames in my kitchen thinking they'd just be a style choice, but the real surprise was how much better they insulated compared to my old wooden ones. The room stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and my energy bills dropped noticeably. Plus, fiberglass holds up really well over time—no warping or repainting headaches.
If you're already leaning toward darker frames for aesthetics, might as well get the efficiency benefits too. Just something to consider before you commit.