When my first child had an accident at home, I realised we hadn't childproofed the house as well as we could have. Thankfully, they were fine, but I learned my lesson and began a thorough inspection of my home and garden. I got to work addressing the various hazards we had overlooked, and I started this blog to help other parents think objectively about the hazards in their own homes. I post about a variety of topics, such as pool safety, choosing a safe garden fence, storing medication and cleaning products, window and door locks and kitchen safety for kids. I hope you find my blog useful and informative.
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Childproofing Your Home And Garden
Timber Versus Polymer Plantation Shutters: A Comparison
Ana Gonzales
Plantation shutters can add style to your home, whether you want a traditional or more contemporary look. But should you choose timber shutters or go for a man-made alternative? Here's a comparison to help you decide what would be best for you.
Timber plantation shutters
The main reason people choose timber plantation shutters from a place like Blind Inspiration is for their aesthetic beauty. When correctly treated, timber makes a long-lasting and durable material that looks gorgeous when simply varnished to preserve the natural grain.
If you prefer, you can paint timber shutters any colour of the rainbow to match your interior décor scheme. Alternatively, you could choose to stain your shutters so that the finish blends seamlessly with your furniture or wooden flooring.
Timber is as strong as the polymer equivalent, but much lighter in weight. This is important if you want shutters with a large panel size to accommodate bigger windows, because the excess weight of polymer can cause the shutter's hinges to sag.
Good quality timber plantation shutters can work out slightly more expensive than the man-made version, although they should last you a lifetime if properly cared-for.
When it comes to maintenance, interior timber shutters will need repainting or staining periodically to keep them looking fresh. If your windows are prone to condensation, timber shutters may be subject to water damage over time.
Polymer plantation shutters
The usual alternative to timber that people look to is man-made polymer. Poly is very durable and hard-wearing, and although the colours available are somewhat limited, your shutters will never need repainting or treating to keep their colour. The usual colour choice for poly shutters is white, off-white, or a faux-wood finish.
If you have a limited budget, poly shutters may be a good option because they are usually slightly cheaper than timber and are just as long-lasting.
If you want shutters for rooms where moisture is an issue, such as your bathroom, poly is a good choice as it won't warp or be damaged when exposed to water or humidity.
Because of the heavier weight of poly shutters, panel sizes are generally limited. This means that you would need to use several panels to cover a large window area, which can leave your window looking cluttered. A single wood panel gives a much cleaner finish.
In conclusion
Timber plantation shutters offer great versatility when it comes to colour and finish choice, although they are slightly more expensive than polymer. Polymer could be a better option if the shutters are likely to be exposed to water or humidity. Have a chat with your local supplier for more information and guidance.
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