Wood Shutters vs Composite Shutters
Superb functionality and timeless elegance make plantation shutters a top choice for window treatments. They not only provide privacy, light control, and insulation to a room but also increase the value and curb appeal of a home. Their distinctive design allows it to fit in with any architectural style. Whatever style you’re going for, material selection can make a difference.
There are plenty of material options for plantation shutters, including wood and composite. These two both pass the standard of excellent quality. They’re both attractive, durable, and functional. Aside from their composition, other unique features set them apart from each other. In this wood vs composite comparison, we’ll show you each material’s benefits to guide you in selecting plantation shutters that suit your needs, design taste, and budget.
Wood Shutters: Features and Benefits
Wood has long been a popular material for plantation shutters. Being a natural material that transcends time, wood blends in with any style period. Wood shutters don’t just add sophistication to any home. They’re also durable enough to withstand damage. Along with these qualities, here are other benefits of choosing wood for your plantation shutters:
- Versatility in paint/stain options
- Lighter weight vs composite shutters
- Authentic feel of real wood
- custom shapes
• Versatility in surface treatments
Wood can either be painted or stained in several ways. You can paint your wood shutters in white for a classic look, or any other color for a dramatic facade. If you prefer the authentic look of hardwood, you can stain them to accentuate the wood’s natural grains. You can also easily repaint and re-stain them anytime you decide to go for a different color or style.
• Lighter weight
Wood’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes it sturdier without being heavy. Since they’re lighter, wood shutters are operable without much effort. Their lighter weight also won’t compromise your window’s structural integrity. This is an advantage, especially for larger windows, as it minimizes sagging.
• Undeniable authenticity of real wood
Some materials for plantation shutters are intended to imitate the look and feel of wood. But nothing beats the exquisite beauty and natural warmth of real wood. Its natural elegance not only blends with wood elements, but also with other materials such as concrete, bricks, and stone. This quality makes wood shutters a versatile choice for any design preference.
• Customizable form
Wood can be custom-made to fit various window styles. Aside from the typical rectangular form, wood shutters can also be molded into curved, round, and other unconventional shapes. So choose wood shutters for your French doors, arched windows, or any specialty windows.
Composite Shutters: Structure and Benefits
Just like wood, composite plantation shutters are also high-quality window treatments. Composite MDF (medium-density fiberboard), also known as faux wood or engineered wood, is made up of compressed hardwood and sawdust bound together, then covered with vinyl or PVC for extra protection. Because of this mix of natural and synthetic materials, composite shutters give these additional benefits:
- Value for money
- Durability and resistance
- Minimal maintenance
- Eco-friendly
• Value for money
Cutting down and growing trees to create shutters has its own set of challenges. This is why wood shutters also come with a higher price tag. Since composite shutters are faster to mass produce in factories, they cost lower than wood. So if you want the high-end quality of real wood without blowing up your budget, composite shutters are a more affordable alternative.
• Enhanced durability and resistance
Composite shutters are specially designed for increased strength, durability, and weather resistance. The addition of synthetic materials boosts wood’s best qualities. This is why composite shutters are more resistant to moisture, fading, chipping, cracking, and warping. Composite shutters’ enhanced features make them suitable for damp areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms.
• Minimal maintenance
If you’re going for white or off-white plantation shutters, composite is an ideal option since it needs little to no maintenance. You don’t need to do much in cleaning your composite shutters. Dusting them is a breeze: Just a gentle wipe with a clean cloth will already do the trick. Composite shutters also easy to maintain since they don’t have to be repainted or refinished.
• Eco-friendly features
Composite shutters are made from recyclable materials, which lessens the need to cut down trees. Damaged composite shutters can also be re-manufactured to create new ones, thus reducing waste disposal. Composite shutters not only help protect windows but also help save the environment.
You can’t go wrong with either wood or composite. They both present excellent benefits for any homeowner. The right shutter material depends on your priorities. Do you need protection for your home? Or maybe you’re just adding them to raise your home’s value? Do you want to go all out with your budget or want a more cost-effective option? Even your design preference matters in this decision. If you still can’t decide, count on DFW Shutters’ professionals for expert advice and premium quality wood and composite plantation shutters for your home.