What makes the best plantation shutters: vinyl, basswood, poplar, maple, or other hardwood?

Plantation shutters are an excellent choice for high quality, attractive and functional window treatments. If you are considering purchasing plantation shutters, you will no doubt have quickly become aware of the myriad of options available to you.

Plantation shutters can be purchased as stock units or you can purchase custom interior shutters to fit your windows. And then there’s the material of construction: Among the most common materials used are vinyl, basswood, poplar, maple, and a variety of fine hardwoods. And not surprisingly, each material provides different levels of quality and price ranging from vinyl shades to custom shades. wood plantation shutters. So what is the best option for your home?

Plantation Shutter Construction Materials

Here is a summary of the pros and cons of the most common interior shutter materials:

Vinyl

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· Popular

Hardwood

interior vinyl shutters

Some of the most affordable interior blinds are made from vinyl.

While vinyl interior blinds won’t warp and typically don’t require finishing, they have an undeniably synthetic look and feel.

The advantage of vinyl is that it presents the most economical solution and is widely available.

However, vinyl shutters are among the lowest quality on the market and do not offer the warmth or beauty of wood plantation shutters. And if you’re considering vinyl interior blinds, remember that affordability doesn’t always mean value.

Plantation Wood Shutters – Basswood & Poplar

Basswood and poplar are two of the most common woods used to make interior shutters. Basswood and poplar are technically hardwoods. But as hardwoods, they are light and relatively soft compared to other hardwoods like maple or oak.

Basswood has a good finish; can be painted or stained. Because Poplar’s color is not uniform, ranging from white to green to almost purple, it should only be painted and never stained.

However, when considering wood plantation shutters made from poplar or basswood, keep in mind that both are very soft and susceptible to dents and dings. On larger openings, basswood and poplar shutters often require additional bracing or additional rails or studs for rigidity. The overall width or height of your window treatment may also be limited.

And finally, investigate the shutter joinery method. Because poplar and basswood shutters typically represent the mid-market price and quality range, the woodwork on these interior shutters is often inferior to higher-quality shutters. For example, you should look for products where the rails are attached with reinforced studs.

Hardwood Plantation Shutters – Durable and Beautiful

Genuine hardwood plantation shutters, such as maple, represent the highest levels of quality and value in plantation shutters today. While the initial cost is sometimes higher than a similar sized basswood or poplar shutter, the build quality is generally superior and your maple shutters are more likely to outlast shutters made from less expensive materials. affordable.

In addition to the increased durability and longevity of quality wood plantation shutters, solid wood shutters provide increased aesthetic appeal whether stained or painted. The natural beauty and grain pattern of the wide range of hardwood species present an unlimited palette of design and style for your hardwood plantation shutters. Plus, you can select the wood species and finish to match your existing decor.

High quality hardwood plantation shutters will also be custom made to precisely fit your exact window opening. And with professional installation, your interior shutters will look like they’re there, enhancing the beauty of your room.

The best material for interior shutters

When it comes to beauty, versatility, and durability, no other material can match a dense, quality hardwood like maple. Other outstanding options are Walnut, Mahogany, Oak, Cherry and Alder. While quality hardwood shutters may cost more up front, the lifetime value of your shutters will far exceed that of cheaper alternatives.