What is the Best Material for Wood Shutters?

Featured Image Caption: Wood Shutter Materials

Wood is a classical material when used in the manufacture of shutters. You do not just get into the store and pick the first wooden shutters you come across. Wood offers numerous options that will define your shutter choice and use experience.

Each wood variety provides different properties that will define your experience. There are strengths and weaknesses of each species that you must consider when making a choice. You should also compare PVC Shutters with wood shutter before taking the final decision.

Here is a look at some of the properties of woods to consider when choosing a wood for your shutters.

Wood Variety

Wood is commonly classified as hard or soft. Each variety will provide a variety of advantages when used in the manufacture of shutters. Shutters can be made from hardwood or softwood and still serve the intended purpose.

Some of the hardwood varieties available for the manufacture of shutters include Balsa, Blackbutt, Mahogany, Spotted Gum, Eucalyptus, oak, Walnut, Elm and Teak, among others. The advantages of using hardwood include durability, ease in maintenance, strength, resilience and an amiable appearance.

Softwood is also used in the manufacture of shutters. Some of the varieties of softwood include pine, cedar, and fir, among others. Some of the advantages you stand to enjoy from using softwood include ease in manipulation, lower prices and the ability to change colors. The texture of softwood is also impressive.

The variety of wood to use will depend on availability. Your budget is also a factor when choosing the wood variety. It will affect the appearance of your shutters.

Color of the Wood

Wood comes in different colors depending on species, age and whether it is hard or soft wood. Color is a factor when choosing your shutters. You want the shutters to match the overall color of your house as well as its architectural design.

Some wood varieties are light while others are dark. If you need Wood Shutters that are light colored, you have to settle for that variety. If the shutters should be dark, there are wood varieties providing this option.

You may want to change the color of wood using paint or varnish. Some varieties will take a lot of paint or require several layers without giving you the results you desire. The color will depend on the treatment given. It takes professional treatment to have a color that lasts.

Durability

Every homeowner wants to make an investment that lasts. The wood you choose must last through the storms and remain intact for years. If the shutters can survive with little or no maintenance, they will have served the purpose.

The ability to survive a storm is one of the characteristics desired of wood. Hardwood is a strong option if your area experiences nasty storms regularly. However, the thickness of the wood used will also determine whether these shutters will survive.

While wood can survive naturally with little maintenance, it will reduce the lifespan of your shutters. The least type of treatment you can give to wood is the application of furnish. This prevents the surface from cracking and causing damage to the entire shutter.

Treatment

Wood requires treatment attention to keep it in perfect shape. This treatment is done using furnish or paint. The treatment must be done by professionals to make it durable and enhance value for money.

Continuous treatment is a task that every homeowner must be ready to undertake. If the wood is not treated regularly, it will crack and leave the water and the hot sun to damage your shutters. This will weaken them to the point that they cannot handle the pressure of a storm.

There are expenses involved in treatment. Hardwood, for example, does not require a lot of treatment because it is resilient. This means that you will make a huge initial payment then spend less on maintenance. Softwood, on the other hand, is less expensive to buy but will require a lot of treatment attention.

The kind of treatment will also depend on where the shutters are installed. Exterior window shutters require detailed treatment because the shutters are exposed to elements. Interior shutters might not require a similar kind of treatment.

Cost

All wood varieties come at a cost. The cost will depend on the species, size required, and whether it is hardwood or softwood. You may desire to have hardwood of a particular color or texture and have to pay a hefty price because you need to import. This means that hardwood available locally may be cheaper than softwood that has to be imported.

The cost also depends on design and details to be included on the shutters. Check the wood options available in the market and make a choice based on personal preference. The most expensive wood is not necessarily the best. There are many other factors that would affect the cost of wood.

Strength

The strength of the wood used in the manufacture of shutters is especially important when using them for protection against a storm. Flying debris and strong winds will damage shutters made of weak wood. This weakness may arise from poor treatment, unprofessional joints or poor formation of the wood as it grew. It takes a professional to ensure that your shutters and the wood you use are strong enough to serve the desired purpose.

Availability

There are hundreds of wood varieties that can be used to manufacture shutters. Each tree offers unique properties in terms of color, texture, strength, and price, among others. However, the desired wood variety might not be available.

Check with your local store or dealer to see whether your desired variety is available. If it is not available, there are alternatives that you can consider. You must be willing to pay for the properties you need.

It is also important to have a professional who can work on the wood and deliver desired results. This requires specialized tools and skills. You do not want to spend a lot on a wooden shutter yet be disappointed by the results.

The best material for wooden shutters depends on personal preference and ability to meet the cost. There are options for all preferences you may imagine. You need to work with a professional to ensure that your expectations on wood shutters are met.

By Jeffrey Gerber
who is a General Manager in Decorative Shutters; he likes to share her knowledge and capabilities regarding exterior window shutters with online readers looking forward to renovating their homes.

Member since May, 2019
View all the articles of Jeffrey Gerber.