Choosing the perfect shutters for your home involves considering several factors, with the material being one of the most crucial. At Golden West Shutters, we offer a variety of high-quality materials, each with unique benefits tailored to different needs and styles. In this blog, we’ll explore the best materials for shutters, helping you make an informed decision.
Premium American Basswood
Premium American Basswood is a top choice renowned for its beauty and durability. With its fine, straight grain and natural resistance to warping, Basswood provides an elegant look that seamlessly enhances various interior styles. This lightweight yet sturdy material offers excellent insulation, keeping your home comfortable year-round and reducing energy costs. Additionally, our locally sourced lumber allows for various architectural details, ensuring seamless shutters that meet your design requirements. We typically see more demand for Basswood shutters in inland areas such as Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Irvine, and Rancho Santa Margarita, where its classic elegance suits a variety of home styles.
Polyurethane: The Ideal Moisture-Resistant Option
For areas with high humidity, such as coastal communities like Huntington Beach, San Clemente, and Newport Beach, polyurethane shutters are the ideal solution. These shutters are highly moisture-resistant, significantly reducing the risk of damage in damp environments.
What sets our polyurethane shutters apart is our superior painting process. Unlike standard raw material options from other suppliers, our painted finish provides the aesthetic appeal of a wood shutter while also enhancing durability. We paint our polyurethane for two main reasons: First, the painted finish helps it resemble wood, adding elegance to your home. Second, unpainted polyurethane can be vulnerable to scratches and abrasions, which our finish mitigates. Our proprietary 30-satin machine finish not only enhances durability but also ensures long-lasting beauty. With a range of styles and colors available, you can enjoy the appearance of wood shutters without the ongoing maintenance concerns.
POLYLUX: Combining Strength and Moisture Protection
Introducing our unique POLYLUX product, which blends the structural properties of wood with moisture-resistant polyurethane louvers. Developed from our engineering experience, POLYLUX addresses the challenges of combining wood’s strength with the moisture resistance of polyurethane. This innovation is perfect for larger windows that require robust structural support while combating moisture. We often see POLYLUX being chosen by homeowners in coastal areas like Huntington Beach and San Clemente, as well as in inland communities where performance against moisture is critical. POLYLUX provides the best of both worlds, ensuring a strong, sturdy framework with long-lasting performance against moisture intrusion.
Customized Options for Every Home
At Golden West Shutters, we believe customization is essential. Each material we offer comes with a variety of framing styles and louver sizes, all finished to a furniture-grade standard. We understand that every home and window is unique, and our engineering expertise ensures you find the best solution for your specific application. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of premium Basswood, typically sought in inland areas, or the practical benefits of polyurethane, favored in coastal communities, we are well-versed in both materials to meet your needs.
FAQs About Shutter Materials
Q: What are the benefits of choosing Basswood shutters over polyurethane shutters?
Basswood is a real hardwood that delivers a richer, more authentic finish than polyurethane. It is lighter than most hardwoods, meaning larger panels hold their shape and operate smoothly over time. For living areas and high-end homes where finish quality matters, Basswood is the premium choice.
Q: How do I determine which material is best for my specific location and climate?
Moisture is the key factor. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and coastal homes are better suited to composite or Polylux shutters, which resist humidity without warping. For dry living areas and bedrooms, Basswood performs beautifully. During your in-home measurement visit, Dave and John will assess your specific environment and recommend the right material for each room.
Q: Can I customize the colors and finishes of my shutters?
Yes. Every shutter we build is finished to order. We paint all of our shutters through a furniture-grade finishing process in our Lake Forest facility, using two in-house spray booths and multiple refinishing stages. We can match existing woodwork or complement your interior palette, with our standard finish being a 30-sheen satin.
Making the Right Choice
Selecting the right material for your shutters is vital to achieving a balance of style, functionality, and durability. At Golden West Shutters, we are committed to using only high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship, ensuring that your shutters not only look beautiful but also perform effectively for years to come. With our extensive experience and thorough technical knowledge, we’re here to guide you in finding the perfect shutters tailored to your home.
Contact us today to learn more about our materials and customization options. Let Golden West Shutters help you find the ideal shutters to enhance your home!
