When it comes to choosing the right material for internal window shutters you need to consider the location and type of window and the various qualities of the materials available.

Here we will consider six different types of wood that could be used for your internal window shutters. There are other materials that could be used, of course; plastic and metal to name just two, but wood is generally considered the most attractive, the most durable and the most versatile.

Craftwood

Craftwood is manufactured from MDF and has an engineered core to provide rigidity and reduce no twisting or warping. A water resistant polyurethane coating is added to prevent any wear and tear like scuffing, staining, cracking, chipping and fading.

Although Craftwood is not suitable for use in solid shutters it is created using the same manufacturing processes as hardwood shutter ranges, which are sutable for solid shutters. This means that Craftwood provides exceptionally good material for other types of shutters.

It can also be specified in different colours, adding to its versatility. Craftwood also represents one of the most cost effective options available in wooden shutters.

Cedarwood

Without doubt this is the top of the range wood, made from Western Red Cedar and considered to be the best wood for internal window shutters due to its light weight, durability and resistance to moisture. Cedarwood is a very stable wood and resists the natural tendency to warp and crack like you might get with other timber choices.

The real advantage of Cedarwood, though, is its thermal coefficient – it keeps heat out in the summer and provides fantastic insulation in the winter.

The fact that it is lightweight also means that it can be used for very large windows and can be manufactured into special shapes for almost any kind of installation.

Basswood

This is a robust, high quality hardwood with an engineered core providing extra strength and integrity.
Like Cedarwood, the wood is lightweight and incredibly stable.

Because Basswood is almost white in colour it stains very well so can be coloured to suit almost any installation and can also be cut into special shapes for awkward spaces and windows

Larchwood

Larchwood is made from the Siberian Larch, which is a highly sustainable source of wood so can be considered a ‘green’ or environmentally friendly way of adding wooden window shutters to your property.

Larchwood is heavier than both Basswood and Cedarwood and is harder meaning it is much more resilient to both denting and general wear.

Permawood

Permawood is 100% waterproof, manufactured using a hardwood core combined with an ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic coating.
This makes it the ideal material for bathrooms and other areas where you may expect higher than normal humidity.

Hybrid Basswood

This is a combination of Basswood panels with MDF frameworks and combines all the properties of Basswood, but with significant cost savings.

Whichever timber you decide to choose for your window shutters will depend on location and budget but you can be sure that you are making a good choice with any of these woods.

Author Bio: Ian Grainger is writing on behalf of Signature Shade, manufacturers and installers of window shutters.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: window shutters, wood, timber, wooden window shutters