Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Making it Last

There are many options available when it comes to shutters for your home. One question we get often is what is better for a home? Do Vinyl Shutters last as long as Wood Shutters or is there a noticeable difference in quality?


While wooden shutters have been around far longer than their vinyl cousins, they aren't necessarily "better." A large percentage of homeowners stick with wooden shutters due to the age of their home and the desire to maintain the look of the home's era. An older home with a traditional look and feel can benefit from an authentic Exterior Shutter option, especially when paired with flower boxes. Interior homes that benefit from a more natural look or customers looking for a wood grain appearance might choose wooden shutters.

In today's difficult economic times, many homeowners are looking to save on the custom look their home deserves without sacrificing quality. Shutter Shack offers economical solutions and a few tips to get the look you want without breaking the bank:



Realistic Wood Grain
Knowing What You Want

So you've decided that you want the look of wood, but have heard that vinyl is the way to go to save and have your products last. Shutter Shack offers Exterior Vinyl Shutter options that are as realistic as natural wood with the most economic options.


Whether you choose wood or vinyl, the end decision is ultimately yours. Both vinyl and wood options have pros and cons, both for interior shutter and exterior shutter options. What should matter is that you can achieve the look you want without sacrificing quality. The look you put on your house makes it your home and can be there for quite a while.





Interior Vinyl Pros:

High Humidity Area
  • Interior Vinyl Shutters are easier to clean.
  • Virtually no maintenance.
  • Humidity will cause damage to wood, making vinyl the better choice for bathrooms, kitchens and other high-humidity areas
  • Vinyl Interior shutters will not crack, peel, fade or deteriorate.
  • Vinyl is available in fire retardant materials that insulate better than wood.
  • Vinyl is usually manufactured in half the time as wood and cost less.





Interior Vinyl Cons: 

Convinced vinyl shutters are the absolute solution for your home decor needs? Before you hop online and place an order with Shutter Shack, take into consideration that most interior vinyl shutter options offer less color choice than their wood counterparts. If you're looking for a shade of white or a more neutral appearance, this isn't an issue for you. If you're looking for a more colorful alternative, that is a factor to consider. Remember, Shutter Shack can always show you what your window will look like with different interior shutter options BEFORE you order- we have an application that can show you all the style choices and color choices you might want! Simply email us at shuttershk@gmail.com with a clear picture of your window (the bigger, the better) and measurements and we'll send it back with your options and a quote!


Exterior Vinyl Pros:

  • More cost effective option
  • Usually manufactured in less time
  • Can achieve the look of natural wood 
  • Less maintenance- perfect for today's busy lifestyle!
  • Easier to clean




Exterior Vinyl Cons:

Faded Exterior Vinyl Shutters
Obviously, cost is a major reason why many homeowners choose to go with vinyl. White you CAN make vinyl shutters look realistic by using appropriate shutter hardware, some argue it just isn't the same as "the real thing." High quality basswood will also give you the option of wood cutouts and other decorative options vinyl simply won't.









Downsides to vinyl include:
  • Shorter lifespan; Over a period of years, vinyl will crack and become brittle, especially when exposed to a lot of heat and sun. 
  • Color Choices are more limited and painting is not recommended
  • Some vinyl options are not sturdy enough to open and close, making them look less realistic
  • Less lifetime value when considering the need to replace them more than wood options
  • Cannot get cutouts


Regardless of personal preference, every option is going to have positives and negatives. For expert advice or information about local installation, consultation and measuring service, don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-877-913-3100 or send a message! We're here to help!

1 comment:

  1. Many types of shutters can be selected depending on the necessity and also the security measures. The vinyl shutters are also good.
    Regards,
    Rolling Shutters

    ReplyDelete