A lot of people install window shutters in their houses both for aesthetic and storm protection reasons. Wood shutters are among the most popular window panels in the market.
A window shutter is a strong and stable covering on windows and doors. These usually consist of bottom and top rails, louvers and side stiles. These window panels include both interior and exterior shutters. They are traditionally used to control the entry of sunlight into one’s home and to protect the structure from storms and hurricanes. Other people use these shutters for aesthetic and architectural purpose.
Generally, modern shutters come in a variety of styles, sizes, colors and materials. Some shutter types are made out of aluminum and steel particularly, hurricane shutters. Others are made of cellular synthetic obtained from natural gas and plastic. A lot of these shutters, however, are made of wood. In fact, wooden shutters were such a hit in the eighties because they exude warm wood color tones. However, the disadvantage of these shutters is that they can distort or warp because such is the nature of wood. They are also not flame-proof and they tend to fall apart after prolonged use. Perhaps, the main disadvantage of wooden shutters is that they are expensive. Because of this, not a lot of people can afford to buy them. Based on market research, most wooden shutter owners in the past belonged to the wealthier society class.
Today, shutters that are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are slowly becoming popular. These shutters closely resemble wood in appearance and texture. Generally, these are less expensive compared to the ones made out of wood. Despite this, they are expected to last a long time because they generally do not crack and warp. Moreover, compared to their wooden counterparts, they are more effective in resisting moisture damage. Lastly, they also do not need to be re-stained or repainted from time to time for them to be aesthetically attractive. The only disadvantage of PVC-made shutters is that its material is not biodegradable making them less environment-friendly. However, it can also be argued that the widespread use of wooden shutters could seriously lead to forest wood depletion.
Nevertheless, wood shutters are still widely available today despite the competition provided by these faux window shutters. In fact, several wood shutter manufacturers have decided to lower the price of these shutters to generate more sales. Though faux wood shutters are still cheaper, the price difference between them and the genuine wood shutters is already narrowed.
