How To Paint Shutters

If your home is fitted with ageing window shutters, also known as security shutters, you may be wondering if it’s possible to give them a facelift. 

After all, if you can repaint the exterior of your house without issue, the same should be true for shutters, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. 

In this guide, we’ll take a look at what can happen if you paint your shutters, and how this compares to the painting process during manufacturing, so you can avoid disaster. 

Can You Paint Shutters? 

It may be possible to paint over the existing shutters fitted to your home.

Using a variety of specialised items, carrying out detailed prep work and paying close attention to instructions and detail, you can attempt to alter the colour of your shutters. 

However, this is rarely successful and can create a whole host of issues in terms of aesthetics and the performance of the shutters themselves. 

Common Problems When Painting Shutters 

No matter how diligent and careful you may be, painting your shutters could see you dealing with:

• Bubbling or peeling paint
• Inadequate coverage and patchy finishes 
• Slats that become stuck and no longer retract or open as intended
• Paint that is easily chipped and requires intensive ongoing maintenance 
• Problems with the shutter mechanisms or motor due to paint tracking and drying where it shouldn’t

Additionally, due to the need to sand and prime shutters before painting, once you have done so, there is no way to restore them to their original condition if problems are encountered later. 

It pays to keep in mind also that should your shutters still be within warranty, painting them will instantly void this. This means any repairs will be at your expense, even if unrelated to the painting. 

How Shutters Are Coloured During Manufacturing

One way to understand why painting your shutters is so strongly advised against is to compare this to how they are coloured when being made. 

While this process may differ slightly between manufacturers, it generally follows a similar approach. 

In Titan’s case, the aluminium shutter profile is coated with an enamel-based paint in one of the colours in our range. This enamel baking process occurs before the slats are injected with insulation and roll formed. 

As each slat is coated before forming, uniform coverage is achieved and the metal surfaces are optimally protected against corrosion. 

The result? Smooth, perfectly coated slats that will not bubble, chip, peel or degrade even after decades of everyday use.

Alternative Solution To Painting Shutters 

If your shutters are looking outdated or no longer suit your home’s aesthetic, the best alternative to painting them is to install new shutters in their place. 

Many homeowners attempt to paint their shutters as a means of disguising their age; but they soon find out that this is not the easy fix they’d hoped for. 

Properly painting shutters is costly, both in time and materials, and it can also shorten their already waning lifespan. This makes investing in new shutters a far better choice overall. 

The Benefits Of Installing New Shutters

Opting for new shutters over painting outdated existing ones offers several benefits such as:

• Access to a broad range of colours to suit your home’s aesthetic
• Easier operation resulting from continual product development
• Enjoyment of enhanced technology such as auto close or remote activation 
• Improved insulation benefits for greater noise control and energy efficiency 
• Better protection from the elements
• Greater reduction of light due to better installation methods and quality materials
• Advanced security features for optimal peace of mind and safety from intruders
• An opportunity to do away with unsightly manual winders inside the home
• Reduced maintenance due to no risk of expensive ongoing repairs on old shutters 
• An increase in the value of your property 
• A lowering of your insurance premiums due to the presence of more robust security measures 

What If I’m Not Ready To Replace My Shutters? 

If you are not in a position to replace your shutters just yet, we would still advise against painting them in the interim. 

You risk damaging the shutters and making them unable to be used altogether or making them look worse. We suggest leaving them as is and instead putting that money towards investing in replacement roller shutters in the future. 

How Titan Shutters Can Help 

At Titan Shutters, we measure, manufacture and install all our window shutters ourselves. 

Committed to quality and the provision of high-performance shutters, we make it easier to update your home and take advantage of the many benefits that our window shutters deliver. 

Whether you have already painted existing shutters and are unimpressed with the results or are considering new ones over a DIY refurbish, we can help. 

We happily work with you to determine the ideal shutter solution for your home – one that meets both your preferences and your budget. 

Offering a rapid turn-around of just four weeks compared to our competitor timelines of between 8 to 10 weeks, you can have your new shutters installed in record time. 

Australian made to the highest standards and manufactured right here in Melbourne, our shutters offer unrivalled longevity, functionality and aesthetics. 

To learn more or to arrange your obligation-free quote, speak with one of our knowledgeable team members today at 1300 020 001.