Recently, we have been receiving quite a few enquiries on the difference between Wood and Composite Exterior Shutters and which one would be better exterior shutters for windows. This article is here to answer your long-awaited question.
They are both good materials with individual perks that will suit different people under different conditions. That’s why this article will tap on information on how they are fundamentally different and how it is good.
Differences between wood and composite
Natural Wood vs. Processed Wood
As the headline suggests, one is natural wood while the other has been processed. More specifically composite exterior shutters are made out of recycled wood dust with added zinc borate and glue. As a result, composite exterior shutters have a slightly different set of properties compared to natural wood exterior shutters.
Below is how they are different in terms of attributes.
Lifespan
Prolonged exposure to sunlight and moisture is very detrimental to natural wood. It causes the exterior shutters to decay, break and splinter in a matter of months or perhaps just weeks without proper maintenance.
On the other hand, composite exterior shutters with the glue and zinc borate added have given it properties that are less prone to rotting. Thus, they tend to have a longer life span under harsh weather conditions compared to natural wood exterior shutters.
Both materials are not immune to sunlight and moisture, and they would still rot eventually. However, composite will not require as much daily maintenance.
Density
The added glue and chemical treatment cause the composite exteriors to become denser than natural wood. Thus, you can expect them to be visibly heavier than natural wood exteriors.
The weight difference might not be an issue for the younger adults but not quite for the other demographics. That’s why we generally do not recommend installing composite exterior shutters for the elderly or children.
Price
Now, this is the part where it gets a bit tricky. Usually, the general consensus is that natural wood would be more pricey. The idea is understandable because of how much would wood dust possibly cost you? That might not always be the case.
The reason why natural wood exterior shutters are typically more expensive is that they can come from a high-end wood source. On top of that, there are the fees you have to pay to harvest those woods, labour hours cost, and others that drive up the cost. Whereas, the wood dust for composite shutters could come from just any scrap wood.
However, what if the natural wood shutters were made from a natural but cheap source of wood? That will lower the cost price significantly. Additionally, the composite exterior shutters might have gone through costly chemical treatment and various other processes that could drive up the cost of the composite shutters.
A quick search through shutters available for sales from different vendors reveals that either can be more expensive or cheaper than one another.
Bottom line
The above is pretty much the major difference between wood and composite exterior shutters.
Hopefully, the article has been able to answer your questions. If you still have any doubt, feel free to leave a comment below to let us know, and we will get to you as soon as possible.
