Exterior Shutters & Accents
About Exterior Shutters & Accents
Shutters and decorative columns are the details that separate an exterior that looks complete from one that looks unfinished - and they're among the highest-value per-dollar curb appeal upgrades a contractor can offer a homeowner. Pro Materials supplies vinyl and aluminum shutters from Kaycan and Mitten in raised panel, louvred, and board-and-batten profiles, alongside vinyl decorative columns and pillars from Mitten's Alpa Outdoor Products line. Both lines are colour-coordinated across the Mitten and Kaycan siding catalogues, so shutters, columns, and siding can be specified as a single exterior system without guessing at colour matches. Refreshing shutters on a re-side project, adding columns to a new build entrance, or completing a full exterior package - we carry what the job requires. Wholesale supply to contractors across Ontario and Western Canada.
Exterior Shutters & Accents Buying Guide
Key factors to evaluate when specifying exterior shutters & accents for your project.
Exterior Shutters & Columns Selection Guide
Shutter style
Raised panel shutters are the most versatile and popular choice, suited to traditional, colonial, transitional, and farmhouse styles. Louvred shutters read as more traditional and coastal. Board-and-batten shutters pair specifically with cottage and craftsman exteriors. Combination (raised panel top / louvred bottom) adds visual complexity to larger windows.
Sizing
A common mistake is installing shutters that are too narrow. Functional-looking shutters should each be approximately half the window width - so when "closed," the pair would cover the glass. For a 30" wide window, specify 15" wide shutters. Most vinyl shutters are available in sizes from 10" to 23" wide and 36" to 80" tall.
Material: vinyl vs. aluminum
Vinyl shutters are the most popular choice for residential applications - lightweight, no-paint-required, and available in a wide colour range. Kaycan's vinyl shutters are injection-moulded for uniform colour, sharp detail, and no hollow back (sold back style). Aluminum shutters are more rigid and better suited to high-wind locations; they accept paint for colour customization but require occasional repainting.
Colour coordination
Shutters are typically a darker accent colour against a lighter siding - black and deep hunter green are perennially popular. Navy, deep red, and dark brown are trending for 2026. Always spec shutters that coordinate with the front door colour for a pulled-together exterior palette.
Columns
Alpa vinyl columns from Mitten are available in 6"–12" heights, square (8×8) and round (8" diameter) profiles, with decorative skirt options. They're designed to coordinate with Alpa's railing line for a unified exterior accent system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should exterior shutters be functional or decorative?
Most modern exterior shutters are decorative - they're fastened to the wall alongside windows and cannot actually close. Functional shutters that open and close are available but much more expensive and rare in Canadian residential construction. The key to decorative shutters looking authentic is proper sizing (each shutter should equal approximately half the window width) and proper placement flush to the window frame.
How are vinyl shutters installed?
Most vinyl shutters are installed with shutter locks (hidden clips that slide into slots on the back of the shutter) or with face-mounted screws through pre-drilled holes. Shutter locks are the cleaner method and prevent water infiltration from screw holes. Install on a wood or composite sheathing substrate that can accept the fastener - do not install directly to vinyl siding without a solid substrate behind it.
What colours do vinyl shutters come in?
Kaycan vinyl shutters are available in 8–10 standard colours including Black, Cranberry, Heritage Green, Colonial Blue, and several neutrals. Mitten shutters coordinate with their vinyl siding palette. We can confirm current colour availability and minimum order quantities for specific colours - some accent colours may have minimum stocking quantities.
Can vinyl columns support a load-bearing porch beam?
Alpa vinyl columns can be configured for load-bearing applications when fitted with an internal structural post - either laminated lumber or an aluminum support tube. The vinyl sleeve carries no structural load; the internal post carries the beam load. For load-bearing applications, the internal post must be properly sized by a qualified designer or engineer for the span and load it carries. The vinyl column is then cut 2-1/4" shorter than the post so the load transfers through the post, not the vinyl.