Window Shutters
Consumer Window Shutter Information
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Interior Shutter Materials
Wood
Wood shutters add warmth and a touch of elegance to any room, whether traditional or contemporary. Wood shutters are particularly striking on picture windows, French doors, fixed panes and unusually shaped windows.
Wood shutters are as practical as they are beautiful. They can be opened for air and light and closed for privacy. Shutters are ideal for insulating against the heat and cold, thus saving you on your energy bills. Shutters block out harmful UV rays of the sun thus protecting your furniture from fading. Wood shutters stand up to temperature changes throughout the year - they won't peel, split, crack or warp. They're easy to clean, and they require little maintenance. What’s more, shutters add real value to your home, making it a true investment for your future.
What to look for in a quality wood shutter:
- Solid premium grade Basswood used throughout is preferred over pressed or veneered wood. Basswood is a light weight hardwood known for its resistance to warping, twisting, and bowing. It is virtually resin free and will not sag under its own weight.
- All louvers, stiles, rails, and tilt bars are one solid piece with no finger-joints which may eventually show through the finish.
- Joints between stiles and rails are doweled and glued for strength and durability. Louvers are attached to the tilt bar with non-corroding, glue-coated staples.
- Self-tensioning louvers require no unsightly tension adjusting screws or holes, and stay in the exact selected position. All louvers are guaranteed not to warp.
- Stained shutters are sanded, hand dipped, hand rubbed, sealed, sanded, and protected with two clear top coats.
- Painted shutters are sealed, sanded, primed, re-sanded, and covered with two satin finish top coats.
- Individual shutters are assembled into complete units with all hardware and hanging strips, or frames, attached.
Faux Wood
Faux Wood Shutters utilize louvers and frames of an entirely modern composition. They are made from a patented blend of 100% American hardwood and durable thermal polymers. This allows both the panels and frames to resist temperature fluctuations, intense humidity and the ravages of ultraviolet light.
Faux Wood Shutters will retain their original appearance throughout their lifetime. Louvers will not warp or crack. The frames will remain square and true. This toughness makes Faux Wood Plantation Shutters suitable for kitchens and bathrooms where other window treatments may deteriorate due to the rigors of the environment. Unlike drapes, blinds, or curtains, Polywood shutters can withstand heat, minimize light, reduce noise and offer maximum privacy.
Vinyl
Vinyl is laminated onto a foam or wood core. The durable finish is unaffected by ultraviolet light, is easy to clean, and never needs refinishing. Vinyl shutters won’t warp the way wood can, though they come only in shades of white. (Most wood shutters can be ordered unfinished, stained, or painted.) Vinyl shutters are excellent for water proof applications.
Aluminum
Manufactured from the highest quality extruded aluminum and reinforced internally for exceptional structural strength. Aluminum shutters are very durable. They may be placed in high-moisture areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms and saunas. They withstand extreme sunlight without warping, and improve the thermal efficiency of your windows. Painted or anodized finish with UV coating protects against ultraviolet rays and reflects solar heat.