Shutter Construction - What Are Those Shutters Made Of?

Time was when shutter construction was a simple matter; it was wood and that was that. Although there is still the different types of wood to choose from for a different look, which can lead to some debate.

Shutters construction nowadays involves more options than ever. The competing benefits of various shutter materials line up to try and oust the traditional choice of wood shutters, but wood still is the most popular shutter choice today.

The problem with wood shutters though is the long term maintenance that they require, which can use up both time and money.

If Not Wood, Then What?

Composite materials for shutters are good-looking as well as very durable and weather resistant and need a lot less upkeep than wood. These shutters won’t rot, crack, peel, flake, warp or split whatever the weather throws at them.

Vinyl is another choice of shutter material (for fixed decorative design non-operable shutters that won’t open or close). This choice is durable and lightweight and only looks cheap and plastic from up close. Viewed from a little way away, vinyl decorative shutters look just great. Although painting over the original color is not recommended as a good idea.

New materials like polywood or `plastic lumber’ as it is also known, are said by some to be the next big thing in shutter construction. Polywood resembles wood greatly but needs very little maintenance, and it can be painted easier than many composite shutters.

More substantial construction materials for shutters come in the form of aluminium and fiberglass. Both these can give better storm protection than wood.

Shutters in aluminium and fiberglass can be architecturally pleasing and designed and built in many styles (though not as many as wood shutters can). Fiberglass is more costly than and not as adaptable as aluminum, but it is more natural looking.

exterior window shutters

Author Notes:

David Jones contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.replacement-windows-n-shutters.com. Find everything you need to know about replacement windows, shutters, tinting, basement, fiberglass windows and more.