About Raised Panel Exterior Shutters
Raised panel shutters are the most traditional style of exterior shutter in American residential architecture. Featuring solid wood panels with beveled edges that sit proud of the surrounding frame, they create the distinctive shadow lines associated with colonial, federal, and Georgian homes. Unlike flat panel shutters, the raised profile adds depth and visual weight that complements brick, stone, and clapboard facades equally well.
Estate Millwork's Atlantic collection includes six raised panel shutter styles, each named for coastal towns along the Eastern Seaboard. The Cape and Hatteras models are proportioned for standard double-hung windows, while the Portsmouth and Providence styles feature elongated single-panel designs suited to taller windows and formal facades. The Stone Harbor delivers a balanced multi-panel layout that works across a range of window sizes.
Construction and Materials
Every raised panel shutter is built with mortise and tenon joinery -- the same method used by colonial craftsmen -- with double-pegged tenons for added structural integrity. Panels float within the frame to allow natural wood expansion and contraction through seasonal humidity changes, preventing cracking and warping. We do not use nails, staples, or dowels in any structural joint.
Popular wood choices for raised panel shutters include Spanish cedar for its natural weather resistance, mahogany for its rich color and stability, and poplar for painted applications where cost is a factor. All shutters are available unfinished, primed, or factory painted. Custom dimensions are standard -- every shutter is built to your exact measurements at no additional charge. Use our raised panel shutter designer to configure your shutters online with instant 3D rendering and pricing, or call 412-641-0177 for guidance.
