In this blog we discuss ‘Wood vs PVC shutters’, as we often receive a variety of questions from customers asking which type of shutter material is best for their home. We wanted to discuss “Are wood or plastic shutters better for your home?”.
At The Shutter Studio, we offer both wood and PVC vinyl shutters within our beautiful range and each of these has their own benefits for your interiors. Choosing between the two materials will eventually be down to complete personal preference, as well as guidance from our surveying team. Let’s take a look at their differences:
Wooden shutters
Black Pine Wood Shutters for lounge window
Being wooden shutter experts, we will always favour our beautiful materials at The Shutter Studio, especially our stunning Monterey Pine and our sustainable material, Basswood. These are both amazing choices for shutters and have been used for many years in the carpentry and shutter industry.
There’s no to question; “Are wooden shutters out of style?” because they are actually one of the most popular window dressings to be installed in 2022.
Benefits to wood
- Great insulators – wood is a natural insulator and so will keep your home much warmer than a plastic alternative. This will not only regulate the temperature of your home but also reduce energy bills. How effective are shutters at doing this? Well, experts at The English Heritage say “The English Heritage states ” estimated heat losses by conduction and radiation through the window as a whole can be reduced by: 50-60%, by using shutters “.
- Versatile – PVC can only be finished in a range of white finishes, whereas our wood shutters are more versatile in the range of paints or stains, to either create a natural wood look or a sleek painted shutter design. Whether you choose a natural stain or paint choice, the feel and look of the hardwoods create a dressing like no other.
- Lighter in Weight – Hardwood is very light in weight when compared to Polyvinyl shutters, meaning they are more likely to last longer due to less weight on the hinges. This also makes them a lot easier to install as they can be designed and installed to fit the exact shape and style of your windows.
Disadvantages to wooden shutters
- Price: One of the main ones is, the price point and how because they are completely bespoke, they are probably one of the most expensive window dressings. But there are also a lot of other factors that make up this price point, including the tilt system, the size of your window, and of course the material.
- Cannot be removed easily – This is common between all shutter styles but due to them being installed in such a way, they are harder to remove compared to a standard blind or curtain. They are also made bespoke to your windows so if you ever moved house, it is unlikely you would be able to take them with you, but an advantage to this is that they would add value to your old property.
Shutter misconceptions
A few misconceptions about wooden shutters are that they fade over time and they are hard to maintain and keep clean, but at The Shutter Studio, our shutter experts can easily shut down these myths with simple advice.
What is the best thing to clean shutters with you may ask? Well using a dry microfibre cloth regularly over the slats and frames, can easily remove that unwanted dust from your panels. As wooden shutters are not waterproof, we recommend that you avoid any water or cleaning chemicals and just use baby wipes if you have any mucky fingerprints.
We also finish every shutter with a protective coating that protects them from fading over time, and any cleaning chemicals used on or around your shutters could damage this over time.
Poly shutters
Faux wood poly shutters for modern bathroom
Poly Vinyl Shutters, also known as Faux Wood or plastic shutters, are a great addition to our range. They are the perfect material for customers looking to add a luxury finish to their bathroom, kitchen, or utility room windows without the worry of warping or water paint damage.
Advantages to poly
- Waterproof shutters – These products are a great fit for rooms that attract moisture and condensation due to being completely water-resistant. We dress the shutters with stainless steel hinges, which are also waterproof so that no rusting will occur to the features of your shutters. These panels are designed for the toughest of environments and will not warp when exposed to dampness, unlike wood. Cleaning these shutters is much easier if you were to get them wet but we still recommend you avoid those harsh chemicals, as they are still finished with a protective coating.
- Aluminium reinforced – These products are one of the strongest and most durable in our range, being aluminium reinforced, the panels are less likely to chip or dent very easily. This means they are the perfect choice for family homes, where little ones may choose to explore once they get big enough.
Disadvantages of plastic shutters:
- Heavier in weight –Compared to light hardwoods, poly is quite heavy, which could add pressure on the hinges over time, especially on larger panels. Our shutter experts will always make sure the best material is chosen for the correct placement of shutters, for example, doors and shaped products.
- Not great insulators – if you are looking for an energy-efficient window dressing then poly may not be the choice for you. As we mentioned, wood is a natural insulator and absorbs heat, creating a warmer interior during the colder months, whereas plastic cannot quite do the same.
- Not as adaptable – There are only certain shutter features that can be designed into our poly panels, including the colour choice and hinge type. As well as only having a variation of paint finishes available, only certain hinges are waterproof, meaning you do not have as much flexibility when it comes to the unique features of your shutters.
Poly may never have the authentic wood feel within your home but it doesn’t mean it should be completely off of your list when it comes to choosing the perfect shutter for your home. It has very valuable benefits and will still last many years within your property.
So what material is best for window shutters?
We love both wood and faux wood shutters due to their many benefits and adaptability within properties and certain areas of the home.
Our team can help you decide the right choice for what you are looking for within your interior and tell you all that you need to know about each material when it comes to your home or in-store consultation.
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