Wooden Shutters

Wooden shutters are the most common type of shutter for interior use. They can be stained or painted to match any room's color scheme. More than that, if made of quality material, they rarely warp once painted or stained. They are sturdy, durable and last for generations and they are made from a renewable source. In fact, in the US today, we actually are growing twice as much hardwoods than we are harvesting.  Not too mention they never go out of style.

But did you know there are many types of woods used in shutters? Each meets a different need.

Basswood is one of the most common because it is low in resin, has a uniform grain and is easy to work with. It is a hard, denser wood but surprisingly light in weight. Many things like musical instruments, furniture and broom handles are made from basswood. It does not splinter easily and sands well. Basswood trees are plentiful and grown from Quebec all the way down to Kentucky.

Oak shutters are much heavier. They are not suited to take paint. The grain really pops when they are stained. But oak is a very heavy wood and the stress to window jams can be an issue. To properly install, you need the right strength wood screw. Pre-drilling is best to keep the wood from cracking. Oak does have a tendency to warp more than basswood..

Maple is a heavy wood like the oaks are. So, if you insist on Maple for the grain quality, you also need to strengthen the jambs and pre-drill. Maple works best for stationary louvers. It is not recommended for movable louvers.

Poplar shutters take paint very well. This wood is not pretty when stained, however. Poplar is easier to mill and is available throughout the US. If you are going to manufacture shutters from Poplar, it is wise to only make decorative or stationary shutters. It is not as heavy of a wood as oak or maple, but it is heavy, so you may wish to nail the shutter in place.

Cedar shutters are great for the exterior. Termites do not like cedar for breakfast. But cedar does absorb a great deal of stain. It is a softer wood and can get dented and scratched easily. Cedar does not readily warp, so it is great in humid climates. It is not recommended for interior shutters unless they are decorative and nailed to the wall because of the softness of the wood. Moveable louvers would wear way too fast.

Pine is a relatively soft wood, but it is also plentiful and one of the cheapest wood materials in the market today. But because of that, you have to watch the quality of the ready-made shutters you purchase. Pine takes both stain and paint well and is lightweight enough to use in moveable louvers.

Alder is second in the choice of most craftsmen, basswood being the first. Alder does not grow as tall as basswood, so the shutter length is limited. It is lighter weight and takes paint well.

When it comes to wooden shutters, you can be assured that the expense is worth it. Wooden shutters last for generations, unlike drapery. They are so easy to clean and always look stylish. Just make sure you pick wood with a clear grain and even lines if you are staining it. If unfinished, pick wooden shutters that have well sanded surfaces, glued and doweled joints, and even wood tones.