Shutters are classic home features. Along with enhancing curb appeal, shutters can effectively protect your property from inclement weather, vandalism, and burglary. While style and form are key factors to consider for your overall aesthetic, you’ll also have to decide on shutter materials. There are several types of shutter materials, each with their own features and drawbacks. Additionally, there are several factors to think about while choosing the right shutter for your home.
These include the purpose of the shutter, maintenance and upkeep, pricing, durability, style, and local requirements. If you do not take caution when choosing materials for your window shutters, they could look out of place or, worse, deteriorate fast. Here are the top shutter materials for your consideration.
Wood is by far the most common material for shutters. Your windows can have an authentic look and feel thanks to wood's core aspects like texture, color, and grain. Furthermore, wood is regarded as a renewable, adaptable, and insulating material. Regular maintenance is required to preserve the quality of wooden shutters. They must be periodically painted or stained and sealed. When treated properly, shutters made of wood have a rather long lifespan; however, being wood, they are subject to deterioration, mold, and termites.
Cedar, a sustainable material, is often rated as the best wood for shutters. Cedar is less susceptible to warping and distorting. Moreover, it helps to insulate the home and can withstand hurricane-force winds. Because of its deep color, tight, linear grain, and minimal knots, cedar produces window shutters that are strikingly beautiful and need little maintenance.
Hardwood is a broad type of wood that includes varieties like teak, mahogany, and oak. Shutter materials made of hardwood are among the toughest and most durable since they are sourced from slow-growing trees. Dense hardwood with an integrated core has a compact grain and a smooth, warp-resistant edge. This material is suitable for areas that need more sustainable resources. Lightweight hardwood, on the other hand, is ideal for spaces bathed in natural light thanks to its light color and rich texture.
Basswood is a fine-grained, smooth material derived from lime trees. Due to their ubiquity in the industry and the stringent standards by which they are processed, basswood shutters can be produced at a more attractive cost without compromising quality.
Aluminum shutters are a great lasting option to insulate your property without compromising aesthetic. Because aluminum is a metal, it will not lose its shape as it ages. Since the shutters are treated with aluminum oxide, they do not rust, making the shutters corrosion resistant. They're also customizable. Aluminum shutters are best for exterior windows in both humid and hurricane-prone areas. It is also recognized for its long lifespan. This option will last anywhere from two to three decades at a low cost.
MDF is a composition of finely milled softwood and hardwood residues. MDF shutters, also known as composite or hybrid shutters, provide superior stability at a much lower cost. Although a less expensive alternative, MDF does not lack overall design and feel. Using paint or vinyl wrap, MDF shutters can be made more durable, aesthetically pleasing, and long-lasting. High-quality MDF shutters mimic wood shutters in appearance. MDF's main drawback is that it is more brittle and susceptible to water damage, rendering it unsuitable for wet environments such as the bathroom and kitchen.
Vinyl shutters are the most inexpensive shutters available. Vinyl is a lightweight and significantly less costly material than wood, providing excellent value for most homes on a shoestring budget. Typically, vinyl shutters are constructed from PVC. Sealing caps make PVC shutter panels watertight and resilient. If you want a shutter material that can handle moisture and heat, vinyl may be your best option. However, since vinyl is not a hard material, it is the least durable material overall. It cracks the fastest, particularly under direct sunlight.
If you would like a hand deciding, that is what the consultation is for. A designer comes out, looks at the actual room, and brings the fabrics that suit it. Book a free in-home consultation, or see the gallery.
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If there’s one thing that everyone wants, it’s to make their home feel like their own.
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Plantation shutters , named after the manor houses on old cotton plantations, are elegant window furnishings popular across Europe and America.
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Book a free in-home consultation. We will bring the samples, take the measurements, and leave you with a proper quote.
