Composite vs. Wood Shutters: Which Is Better?
Genuine wood shutters are polished and elegant; it’s no wonder so many homeowners won’t settle for any other material. But is hardwood always the best choice? Not for every window. Wood delivers warmth and natural texture, but composite materials work better in certain conditions within the home, so the better material usually depends on the room.
Don’t get us wrong: our Blind & Shutter Gallery design team appreciates the finest hardwood, and we recommend wood shutters for many of our clients. In certain rooms, though, we steer them in another direction. Let’s dig into the reasons why, starting with how each type gets built.
How Real Wood Shutters Are Built
Real wood shutters start as solid hardwood, which accepts both paint and stain, so we can custom-order them to match a room’s hardwood floors, cabinets, or built-in shelves.
As a natural material, wood responds to the moisture in the air around it. Wood takes up and releases moisture as humidity changes, and that movement can cause shrinking, swelling, and sometimes warping or fine surface cracks. Years of direct sun can also shift the color of a stained finish.
Hardwood Features of Hunter Douglas Heritance® Wood Shutters
Heritance® Wood Shutters are crafted from 100% natural hardwood and lend windows a classic, enduring style. They come in more than 20 colors, and custom paint and stain options are available. Other features include:
- an Integra™ finish
- Truemill® dovetail construction
- louvers in 2 ½", 3 ½", or 4 ½" widths
- hardwood harvested from responsibly managed forests, with a Hunter Douglas donation to the Arbor Day® Foundation for every purchase
How Composite Shutters Are Built
Instead of solid wood components, composite shutters use an engineered wood core beneath a protective outer finish, which gives the panels the smooth surface of finely painted hardwood and holds up to wear and tear.
Hunter Douglas NewStyle® Composite Shutters
NewStyle® Composite Shutters, formerly known as NewStyle® Hybrid Shutters, are designed for high-energy households. The line is available in eight colors, and other features include:
- Truemill® dovetail construction
- a low-luster Finetech® finish
- louvers in 2 ½", 3 ½", or 4 ½" widths
Wood and composite shutters both offer the Hunter Douglas SoftClose™ Louvers with Quick Align™ upgrade. Tilt a panel most of the way shut, and the louvers finish closing on their own, while preset stops hold the louvers on every panel at a matching angle.
Composite Wood Shutters vs. Wood Shutters: Choosing Room by Room
Matching the shutter material to how a room gets used is the simplest way to make this decision:
- Kids’ rooms and playrooms: fingerprints wipe away easily with composite shutters.
- Kitchens: moisture-resistant composite material is a must for handling steam, splatters, and splashes while you cook.
- Living rooms, dining rooms, and home offices: wood adds sophistication and warmth, especially when stained to match nearby furniture and flooring.
- Bedrooms and formal spaces: wood opens up the widest range of paints and stains to coordinate with your color palette.
Bathrooms and laundry rooms call for a different answer. In spaces with high moisture and humidity, Hunter Douglas Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Vinyl Shutters resist water and carry the Palm Beach Promise™ against warping, cracking, and fading. Ask us about them during your consultation.
Which Shutter Material Is Better for Your Home?
Neither material wins everywhere. Hardwood shutters are a high-end choice, available in more than 20 colors plus custom paints and stains, and they respond to shifts in humidity as any natural wood does. Composite shutters sacrifice some of that color range for durability in rooms that take a beating. The right answer depends on each room’s demands, and we can help you design an appealing mix of wood and composite wood shutters in your home.
Shop Custom Wood and Composite Shutters in Nashville, TN
We can show you a side-by-side shutter comparison, learn about your home’s windows, and recommend the best choice for each one. Ready to get started on this project? Contact us for service in the greater Nashville, TN area, including Murfreesboro, Franklin, Nolensville, Brentwood, Fairview, Thompson’s Station, and College Grove, TN.
