External shutters go on the outside of a home or building, and they come in a range of styles. If you are currently building a block of apartments with balconies or if you are making updates to an existing apartment block, you may want to consider balcony shutters in particular. Here are some of the questions you need to consider while honing in on the right shutters for your building.

1. Do You Want Panels or a Shade Style?

Generally, when you are putting external shutters on a balcony, there are two main styles to choose from. The first is a panel design. That could be a bifold design like a closet door, or it could be a series of overlapping panels. When the shutters are pulled open, the panels are almost stacked in a line, but when you close them, the panels form a straight line over the balcony.

The second main design mimics the look of a shade. Basically, you pull these shutters down. The design is reminiscent of a garage door or like the metal security shades that are popularly pulled down over store windows.

2. Do You Want Floor Tracks or Hanging Hardware?

If you opt for the panel design, you have to choose the type of hardware you want. Generally, the options consist of floor tracks or hanging hardware. Tracks tend to need more cleaning and maintenance than hanging hardware. However, with hanging hardware, you need to be able to attach the balcony shutters to the ceiling above the balcony, and that doesn't work with every design.

3. What Material Do You Want?

There are a range of materials you may want to consider. Aluminium is sturdy and it lends an industrial look to your building. You can also add a coating to the aluminium that works to keep off rust and even adds a pop of colour to the shutters. For a more classic look, you may want wooden shutters.

4. Do You Want the Slats to Be Movable?

Most external shutters consist of a series of slats. You have opt for stationary slats—in that cases, you want to choose the position that best blocks the sunlight streaming into your building. However, in other cases, you may want a more mobile design so tenants can adjust their shades as needed. Note that with a mobile design, you may end up dealing with more broken slats, but you may end up attracting more tenants because that design offers more versatility to them.