Wood Shutters
Wood is one of the most popular materials used for window shutters. Wood can be used for both interior and exterior shutters. There are many types of wood that can be used for shutters including cedar, mahogany and pine. Cedar wood is popular for external shutters as it is not adversely affected by rain or sun.
Wood shutters also have a variety of designs to choose from. Louvered wood shutters include panels that can be opened and closed to let in the right amount of light. Panel type shutters look similar to doors and only allow you to open and close. There are even combination types where there is a panel in one section and louvers in another section for the most variation. Plantation shutters are louvered shutters with larger louvers. Plantation shutters originated from the Southern US where there were a lot of cotton
plantations. These shutters are typically painted white.
When choosing wood shutters, make sure that you take into consideration the quality of the wood. For external shutters, the quality of the wood is especially important as it has to resist the elements of the weather. Make sure the wood is resistant to decay, insects and moisture. Also, make sure that the construction of the wood shutters is of high quality. Some manufactures may use inexpensive glues that may come apart after extended usage. For interior shutters, the look of the wood becomes more important.
Remember that you can always paint the wood but make sure this matches the color that fits your room. Many times, the natural color of wood fits best.
Wood shutters can be used for insulation and protection against the elements of the weather purposes. External wood shutters can sometimes serve as storm panels. However, with the availability of newer materials such as vinyl and metals, wood shutters are not the optimal choice for protection against the weather. For internal shutters, wood is a very popular choice as it gives the room a warm feeling instead of a cold feeling that is typical of metals. Wood is also a good insulator and serves to keep the heat
inside the house during cold days and keep the sunlight out during hot days. With the availability of air conditioning and heating, the insulation properties of wood shutters are not as necessary these days. Therefore, most people choose wood shutters for the look and aesthetic properties.
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