Posts tagged house shutters

Basswood is the ideal material for the majority of wood house shutters.  Not only is it resilient and able to withstand temperatures from the freezing cold to the tropical heat, but it is also reasonably priced and looks appealing both inside and outside the house.  Although there are many different hardwoods used in shutters, basswood is the number one choice when purchasing wooden shutters. Another alternative is vinyl house shutters.

Interior shutters are normally very straight and have a shiny texture. Unlike other woods that have very obvious graining, basswood is much smoother, making it a perfect choice for outside and inside shutters, especially for people who are not fond of grainy wood but do not want to paint the wood opaque. 

Basswood is lightweight enough to handle and install easily, yet resilient enough to endure the extreme heat or cold. Should you buy interior window shutters, they are most likely made of basswood.  There are several different woods used in shutters, and they are described below: 

Oak

Oak is a very elegant wood and is very heavy.  Oak also shows an obvious grain. For the reason that oak is so heavy, it is not the perfect choice for interior wooden shutters because it can expect too much from the window jambs.  Many people also are not fond of the grainy texture of oak, yet oak does not paint very well.  Oak continues to be a widespread choice for house shutters, just not the ideal choice. 

Maple

Maple is similar to oak in that it is a golden colored, heavy wood that works great for tables but can be difficult to work with when it is used for shutters.  Because maple is particularly difficult to work with, the jambs have to be drilled before you can install the shutters, a job which can be difficult.  Maple interior shutters weigh a bit, like oak, and can damage the window jambs. Another good choice is vinyl house shutters.

Cedar

Cedar is a good strong hardwood that is easy to stain.  Cedar wood is not very heavy which means it is easy to work with when fashioned into interior wooden shutters. Because it is lighter than oak or maple, cedar shutters will not wear down the window jamb.  However, cedar tends to scratch and bruise easier than heavier woods and could need replacement. 

Poplar

Because poplar contains so many minerals and has  a greenish color, it looks more pleasant when painted instead of stained.  For many people, the attraction of wooden shutters is the look of real wood. Most people don’t care for poplar because they do not want to have to paint the wood.  Painting generally requires touching up much more routinely than staining. Because of this, poplar, although cheaper than the other woods, is not the best choice for use as vinyl house shutters.

Interior shutters can give a finished look to any room.  Interior shutters have been used for interior decor for years.  It used to be that all interior shutters were crafted from wood.  There was no alternative.  Plastic was too flimsy and metal would be impossible. Today, though, there are diverse styles of interior house shutters and different options instead of wood.

One style of interior shutter that has become fashionable for consumers is vinyl house shutters.  There is still a debate over which style of shutter is better.  There are good and bad points when it comes to both vinyl and wood interior shutters. 

Wooden shutters

Wooden house shutters look elegant and are very homey. They add an appearance of richness to any building, whether they are installed inside or on the outside. The majority of consumers really like the look of real wood, and wooden shutters are strong and resilient also. 

Wooden shutters are attractive, when stained or painted.  They have to be either stained or painted and sealed before mounting.  Then, on a regular basis, they need to have the paint or sealant re-applied.  Maintaining wooden shutters uses both cash and sweat.  They are also very pricey to purchase, especially if you request them pre stained. 

Wooden shutters are also vulnerable to rot and bugs. Because they are organic, they will ultimately fall apart. 

Vinyl shutters

Vinyl shutters are a breeze to own.  They do not need any painting, staining or sealing at all.  They can be found in a variety of different colors and types and are an attractive, maintenance free option when it comes to shutters for any home. 

Regrettably, vinyl shutters can get small dents in them whenever anything hits them, like hail or a baseball. Although this can happen to wood, vinyl seems to get dented up sooner because it is a less hardy material.  Many people do not like vinyl because it is cheap and can look cheap.  There are still many consumers who would rather have real wood.

Vinyl shutters are, I’m sorry to say, plastic.  Some of them are made to resemble real wood, but cannot fool the attentive eye. Even though vinyl shutters can be more economical than wood shutters and are maintenance free, wood shutters are still preferred by most buyers.

Your ultimate selection of house shutters will have to do with your budget, tastes, and how much much time you intend to spend maintaining the shutters.  If you would prefer a shutter that needs no attention and looks attractive on or in your home, you should look at vinyl house shutters. 

If you do not mind attending to your shutters every other year or so and are willing to part with a bit more money, you might perfer wooden shutters.  Regardless of the material, shutters make a lovely addition to your home and can be purchased in a variety of styles, shapes and colors.  Whether the material you prefer is vinyl or wood, you can be sure to come across the house shutters that will suit you and add a touch of glamour to your home.