Living by the lake offers unparalleled beauty and tranquility, yet it often presents unique challenges when it comes to home design. Our own lake house, for instance, has always presented a fascinating architectural paradox. From the street, it appears as a modest, one-story contemporary residence, deceiving many visitors who assume it’s a quaint ranch-style home. This perception is particularly reinforced by the sleek design of our double front doors, which feature an elegant faux woodgrain finish, adding to its modern appeal.
The front facade, with its clean lines and modern aesthetic, gives no hint of the grandeur that lies beyond. Guests are often surprised once they step inside or catch a glimpse from the water. It’s only then that the true scale of our home reveals itself – a sprawling two-story structure boasting a distinctly rustic charm, perfectly complementing the natural beauty of the lakeside environment. This dichotomy, a blend of contemporary and rustic, has always been a defining characteristic of our home, making it both intriguing and a bit of a design puzzle.
Initially, I wasn’t entirely convinced by our home’s exterior color scheme. The primary colors of beige brick and panel siding, accented with a dark teal/green, felt somewhat unexpected. However, after two years of living here and conducting extensive research into popular exterior color schemes for homes in picturesque regions, my perspective shifted dramatically. I discovered that this specific palette is remarkably prevalent and well-regarded in mountain, ocean, and lake communities across the country. It’s a combination that resonates with natural landscapes, creating a harmonious visual flow.
While many of these regionally popular homes feature cedar or plank siding, our beige brick and paneling still managed to pull off the look effectively. The deeper understanding of how the dark teal/green complements the lighter tones and the surrounding natural elements helped me appreciate the existing design. It wasn’t about disliking the colors, but rather understanding their purpose and impact within an authentic lakefront aesthetic. This revelation brought a sense of acceptance, transforming my initial reservations into a genuine fondness for our home’s unique charm.
Even with this newfound appreciation for the exterior colors, a subtle dissatisfaction lingered. Something felt incomplete, a lack of visual interest or a missing piece in the overall color balance, particularly on the lake-facing side of the house. Our goal was never a massive renovation; we operate on a modest budget, preferring small, impactful home improvement projects that make a big difference without breaking the bank. It took considerable thought and two years of living in the space, observing it from every angle, to finally pinpoint the ideal, budget-friendly solution.
The shed dormer on the second floor, visible from the lake, was the culprit. To my eye, it always appeared a bit stark, somewhat unfinished, lacking the character and warmth that the rest of the house exuded. It was an overlooked detail that contributed to the subtle imbalance I felt. The solution came to me during one of our peaceful boat rides back home across the lake. As we approached, the house slowly came into view, and a clear vision emerged: this side of the house desperately needed the visual anchor and texture that well-placed shutters could provide.
This “aha!” moment led us to a simple yet transformative exterior update: adding board and batten shutters. But not just any shutters. We chose high-quality, durable polyurethane shutters from Nu-Wood, specifically for the three sliding-glass doors along that prominent second-floor shed dormer. This decision was a game-changer, promising to infuse the lake-facing side with the character, depth, and cohesive appeal it had been missing all along.
Nu-Wood shutters are an exceptional choice for homeowners seeking the aesthetic appeal of traditional wood without the demanding maintenance. These aren’t just any decorative elements; they are meticulously crafted millwork products designed for both interior and exterior applications. Made through an advanced molding process using high-density polyurethane, Nu-Wood products perfectly replicate the look and feel of real wood. This innovative material offers significant advantages: they are impervious to chipping, peeling, or cracking, and completely resistant to weather elements and insect damage. The promise of virtually zero maintenance was a huge selling point for us, especially for a lake house exposed to the elements.
The convenience of Nu-Wood products truly impressed us. Our custom-sized shutters were delivered right to our doorstep, primed and ready for installation directly out of the box. Nu-Wood offers the flexibility to choose between their factory-primed finish, which is perfect for immediate installation, or a custom paint job. They can match any of the 1,500 colors available in the Sherwin Williams outdoor paint line, ensuring a perfect match for any exterior design vision. For our project, we opted for Sherwin Williams ‘Umber Rust,’ a rich hue that beautifully complements the existing wood decking and railings, creating a seamless and sophisticated aesthetic.
The ordering process was incredibly straightforward: simply measure the height of the sliding doors and select a Sherwin Williams paint color. The efficiency was remarkable. The shutters arrived last Friday, and my husband, Ed, had them fully installed in just under an hour on Saturday morning. This swift, simple installation underscores the DIY-friendly nature of Nu-Wood products, making a significant exterior upgrade accessible to many homeowners. The transformation was instant and undeniable, adding an architectural detail that perfectly balanced the lake-facing facade.
How to Install Nu-Wood Shutters: A Simple DIY Guide
Installing Nu-Wood shutters is a straightforward process, achievable with basic tools and a little patience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a stunning exterior transformation like ours.
Supplies Needed:
- Nu-Wood Board and Batten Shutters (customized to your size and desired color)
- Exterior screws (we used 10 x 2-1/2″ length for secure fastening)
- Power drill and a drill bit matching the diameter of your screws
- Exterior spackle or wood filler
- Spackle knife or putty knife
- Damp rag for easy cleanup
- Bubble level for precise alignment
- Sherwin Williams touch-up paint (matching your shutter color)
- Small paintbrush for blending and finishing touches
- Prepare the Shutters: Before attaching them to your home, pre-drill 12 counter-sunk holes in each shutter. This creates a recess for the screw heads, allowing them to sit flush with the surface for a clean finish.
2. Even Hole Spacing: Ensure the drilled holes are spaced evenly across the shutter. We used a pattern of 4 rows with 3 holes across each row, strategically placed for optimal support and aesthetic balance. Careful spacing ensures even distribution of weight and a professional look.
3. Position and Level: Carefully place each shutter in its desired location on the exterior wall. Use a bubble level to ensure it is perfectly horizontal and vertical. Proper alignment is crucial for a polished, professional appearance.
4. Secure the Shutters: Using your power drill, attach the shutters to the wall by driving exterior screws into the pre-drilled, counter-sunk holes. Ensure the screws are tight enough to secure the shutters firmly without overtightening, which could damage the material.
5. Conceal Screw Holes: Once the shutters are securely mounted, fill the counter-sunk holes with exterior spackle or a suitable filler. Use a spackle knife to apply and smooth the filler. Immediately wipe away any excess spackle around the hole with a damp rag before it has a chance to dry. This step is key to achieving a flawless finish, making the installation hardware virtually invisible. It’s truly remarkable how these polyurethane shutters so convincingly mimic the natural texture and appearance of real wood, even up close!
6. Allow to Dry: Let the spackle in all filled holes dry completely according to the product’s instructions. Drying time can vary based on humidity and temperature.
7. Final Touch-Up: Once the spackle is thoroughly dry, use a small paintbrush to carefully touch up the filled areas with the matching Sherwin Williams paint color. This final step seamlessly blends the repairs, making the shutters look as if they were always a part of your home’s original design.
House BEFORE: A Bland Dormer
As you can see, the shed dormer looked stark and unfinished, lacking depth and visual interest.
House AFTER: Enhanced with Nu-Wood Shutters
The addition of shutters instantly transformed the space, creating a balanced and cohesive exterior.
This simple addition of faux wood shutters from Nu-Wood has made an incredible difference. The shed dormer, which once felt out of place, now seamlessly integrates with the rest of the house, adding overall color balance and a much-needed sense of architectural completeness. The ‘Umber Rust’ color perfectly ties into the rich tones of the wooden decking and railings, creating a visual flow that subtly guides the eye from the deck stairs up to the second floor. It’s this kind of thoughtful detail that elevates a home from functional to truly captivating, enhancing its curb appeal and lakeside charm.
This project proves that significant exterior home improvements don’t always require an extensive budget or a major overhaul. Sometimes, the most impactful changes come from thoughtful, well-chosen additions. The Nu-Wood shutters provided exactly the interest and character I was searching for, turning an overlooked area into a focal point. This transformation wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about finally achieving the harmonious and inviting exterior our lake house deserved.
We extend our sincere thanks to Nu-Wood for their collaboration on this wonderful update and to my talented husband, Ed, whose handy skills consistently bring my home improvement visions to life. If you’re inspired to explore similar budget-friendly home updates, I highly recommend checking out Nu-Wood’s extensive range of products. Their website, Nu-Wood.com, showcases everything from beautiful shutters to intricate decorative millwork pieces designed to enhance both the interior and exterior of any home. Their polyurethane products offer superior durability and realistic aesthetics, making them an excellent investment for lasting curb appeal and structural integrity.
To inquire about ordering Nu-Wood products, you can email their sales department directly at [email protected]. They will be able to guide you to the closest distributor, as Nu-Wood primarily sells through a network of reputable partners, including major lumber yards like 84 Lumber and other regional suppliers across the U.S. Investing in Nu-Wood is investing in quality, beauty, and peace of mind for your home’s lasting exterior charm.
More Home Improvement Projects You Might Like:
- How to Easily Seal a Leaky Gutter
- Painted House Exterior Before and After Makeover
- How to Make an Exterior Slat Wall