Shopping for window shutters can become confusing because of the huge
variety of materials used and promoted as superior. The construction
methods of a shutter unit, including the materials used, contributes
greatly to the overall cost of shutters purchased. However, a
well-constructed unit made out of high-quality materials will also last
longer and look better than something less than ideal. Following is an
outline of various woods and synthetic materials that are often used in
building shutters.
Basswood Shutters
(Tilia Americana Linnaeus, or the American Linden)
Basswood is absolutely the best wood for building window shutters. The
Basswood tree can be found from Quebec south to Delaware and the
Atlantic coast west to Eastern Kentucky with an average height of 65
feet. Basswood is a renewable resource and careful forest management
ensures tree harvesting is done responsibly, balancing growth with
removal. Each year the United States grows about twice as much hardwood
as it harvests.
Basswood shutters are very straight and has a fine uniform texture with
an indistinct grain. Basswood machines well and is easy to work, and
screws and glues well and can be sanded and stained to a smooth finish.
It dries fairly rapidly with little distortion. Basswood has fairly high
shrinkage but good dimensional stability when dry.
Popular uses for basswood include drafting tables, broom handles,
carvings, turnings, furniture, moldings, millwork, musical instruments,
woodenware, food containers, and surfboards.
General Basswood shutter characteristics:
Does not warp
Lightweight yet very strong
Uniform grain for a beautiful stain finish
Low in resin and tannin which may bleed through finish
Renewable resource which is replenished as it is harvested
Superior gluing and finishing properties.
Oak Shutters
Oak shutters are very heavy. Oak shutters add much weight to window
jambs and screws require pre-drilling. Oak shutters are not suitable for
painting. Oak shutter louvers tend to warp.
Maple Shutters
Maple shutters are very heavy. Maple shutters add much weight to window
jambs and screws require pre-drilling. Maple louvers are hard to tension
uniformly.
Poplar Shutters
Poplar shutters mill and paints well. Mineral streaks and a green color
make poplar unsuitable for staining. Poplar is moderately heavy for
shutters. Poplar is widely available, but less costly. Poplar is best
used for millwork and trim that is nailed in place. Popular produces a
lesser quality shutter.
Cedar Shutters
Cedar shutters mill and finish nicely. However, color varies greatly for
staining. Cedar is soft and can dent and scratch easily. Tilt bar
staples do not hold well.
Cedar shutters work wonderfully for exterior shutters. The outstanding
durability and resistance to decay of incense cedar makes it ideal for
exterior use where moisture is present. This wood gives long service
with little maintenance in such as mud sills, window sashes, sheathing
under stucco or brick veneer construction, greenhouse benches, fencing,
poles, trellises, and shutters. Incense cedar is also used extensively
for exterior siding because it is dimensionally stable and holds paint
well, in addition to being durable. Oh, yes, and bugs hate it!
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Alder Shutters
Alder is our second choice for shutters. Alder is a smaller tree so only
shorter lengths are available, thus tall shutters require finger joints.
Pine Shutters
Pine is a softwood. Many different species and grades of pine is
available, so quality tends to be inconsistent.
Synthetics, Plastics, Vinyl, Fauxwood, and Poly
Many synthetics incorporate "wood" in their name, but most contain no
wood - usually called faux wood or poly shutters. Made from stock size
components with few, if any, custom options. Come in limited white
colors, and cannot be stained. Look, feel, and sound like plastic.
Relatively new product so limited customer satisfaction experience.
Synthetics are less costly to manufacture. Heavy and tend to sag. All
synthetics are manufactured from nonrenewable resources.
About the Author: Brian manages All About Shutters, an online buyer’s guide for
interior and exterior shutters, discussing a variety of topics with
informative articles.
www.allaboutshutters.com
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