The Kalamazoo Homeowner’s Guide To Shutters
Before you go shopping for shutters in Kalamazoo, there are a few things you can learn up front that will help you choose your options. Your windows will look great with just about any type of shutter you purchase, but there are other dynamics involved when you choose the right shutters for your Kalamazoo home.
Of course, you want the best looking shutters possible, all for the lowest price you can find. But sacrificing quality to save a few dollars is never a good idea because you wind up having to replace your purchases several times within one lifetime of a good, quality shutter. So it’s important to know the differences between your shutter options, especially when quality is important.
Whether you’re into energy savings, durability, or going “green”, there are options that will suit your goals. We’ve put together a little information for you to help with these sometimes confusing and difficult to determine options in shutters. Here is some information from Blind Design Kalamazoo that you’ll want to know on four of the most popular shutter types…
Faux Wood Shutters
The Polycore Shutter is made of very durable materials that are formed together at the manufacturer to give the wood strength. This translates to long-lasting shutters for your Kalamazoo home. Polycore shutters are made with combined hardwood and polyvinyl (or polyresin) materials. They have a co-extruded aluminum core that provides the louvers with extra strength. Here are the features of Polycore Shutters.
- Polycore (Polyvinyl with Hardwood core)
- Baked in Painted Polyvinyl Surface (won’t fade)
- Strong and Durable
- Tilt Rod Attachment
- Low Maintenance, Easy to Clean
- Fire Retardant
- Easy To Replace Louvers & Staples
- Paint Free
- MDF Free
- No Repainting Needed
- Recyclable
- Energy Efficient Shutters
Painted or Stained Wood Shutters
Everyone loves the traditional wooden shutters. Our wood Plantation shutters are made of one of the world’s most beautiful wood types. With fine grains and smooth texture, Basswood is sought after in homes and businesses alike. You must take good care of your wood shutters, keep them clean, and keep them properly painted and sealed. With good care, they bring your home warmth and comfort for years to come.
- Solid Real Wood
- Painted or Stained Surface
- Strong and Durable
- Tilt Rod Attachment
- Wood absorbs Moisture, swells
- Flammable
- Parts are Difficult to Replace
- Painted
- MDF Free
- Repaint Every 6 Years
- Not Recyclable
- Absorbs Heat, Energy Efficiency Improved
MDF Hybrid Shutters
Made of MDF that’s covered in a polypropylene material, MDF Hybrid Shutters are durable except at the exposed louver ends where they are only painted. The MDF materials are very moisture absorbent, so once the paint wears, you’ll have some problems with moisture and swelling.
- Medium Density Fiberboard
- Polyethylene Plastic Surface
- Louvers May Warp or Sag
- Tilt Rod Attachment
- Not very Durable
- Highly Flammable
- Parts are Difficult to Replace
- Paint Free
- 100% MDF (swells easily, surface peels)
- No Need to Repaint
- Recyclable
Vinyl Shutters
Similar to Polycore, today’s vinyl shutters are more durable than ever before. They are made with the same polyresin as Polycore shutters but use a different extrusion process during manufacturing which makes them not quite as strong. However, they are much stronger than they’ve ever been when purchased from a direct dealer like Blind Design Kalamazoo, and they remain an affordable option.
- Vinyl Rib Structure
- Vinyl Surface
- Weaker Structure (may bend) but Durable
- Tilt Rod Attachment
- Easy to Clean
- Fire Retardant
- Easy To Replace Louvers & Tilt Rod
- Paint Free
- MDF Free
- No Need to Repaint
- Recyclable
- Not energy efficient