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Interior shutters add a classic touch to any home. They are one of the oldest window treatments in the world, and they have a timeless look that makes them a great choice for nearly any room. On top of that, they feel less like window treatments and more like part of a room’s architecture. When you install shutters, you truly enhance your home.
When buying shutters, you’ll find two main categories: wood and composite. Although they look quite similar—in fact, it can be hard to tell the wood shutters from the composite—there are some important differences. Wood shutters, in general, are slightly more expensive than composite shutters. But cost isn’t the most significant difference between the two options. They are made from very different materials, and these materials dictate where each kind of shutter works best. For example, a wood shutter might be a great option for your living room, but it wouldn’t be a good idea for your bathroom. We’ll go over why that is and show you where in the home each shutter functions at its very best.
Graber Wood Shutters. are made with sustainably harvested North America hardwood. Graber uses basswood, an underutilized tree that’s ideal for making the louvers for shutters. Each shutter is assembled to the exact specifications of your window for a finished product that will last for decades. The durable all-wood construction can be painted or finished in a variety of ways—from painted finishes that can be coordinated with drapery and other décor to finishes that let the beauty of the natural grain shine through.
Composite shutters follow the basic design of a wood shutter. The difference is in the material. Instead of wood, Graber Composite Shutters utilize a material that can stand up to humidity and heat better than wood can. That means these shutters can be used in places where wood might tend to warp or crack. Choose composite shutters for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. The shutters will look like wood shutters but will be able to resist moisture, humidity, and temperature changes. They also can be cleaned with soap and warm water. They’re incredibly durable—but still have that classic shutter look.
A Closer Look at the Differences
Both wood and composite shutters are durable. Extremely durable. Well-cared-for shutters can look great for decades. The difference in durability becomes apparent only in more extreme environments—places where moisture, humidity, and changes in temperature are an issue. That kind of jungle-like environment can take its toll on wood, causing warping, cracking, and loss of finish. A composite material will not be affected by moisture, humidity, and temperature changes. If heat and moisture will be a factor in a room, choose composite shutters.
From a distance, there is virtually no difference between wood shutters and composite shutters. In fact, you must get close to the window to see if the shutter is made from wood or composite material. Up close, it is clear which shutters are made with real wood—and this is an important consideration for people decorating homes where the shutters will be viewed up close or adjusted by hand. For some people, this is a very important factor—real wood feels authentic to them, and they want to convey that authenticity in their décor. Graber Wood Shutters, with their rich, natural look, were created for these homeowners.
Shutters, whether wood or composite, are easy to clean. Simply dust with a feather duster or clean with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Composite shutters have the advantage of tolerating soap and water, making it easier for you to get your shutters squeaky clean. In general, you’ll want to avoid getting your wood shutters wet.
Real wood shutters cost somewhat more than composite shutters. But both real and composite shutters offer the same long life—so you enjoy decades of reliable performance. Where cost is a strong consideration, choosing composite shutters for your project can be a more affordable option.
Moisture-prone Areas Demand Composite Materials
Wood absorbs water, and when it does, wood can change shape—and not evenly. If one side of a board gets wet, it tends to bow outward making the other side of the board cup inward. Sometimes water can cause a piece of wood to twist. And when the water dries, the wood doesn’t necessarily go back to its old shape—and you end up with cracks and permanent twists.
The material used to make Graber Composite Shutters doesn’t absorb water like wood. And, because it doesn’t, you don’t get those changes in the shape of the material. That means you can install composite shutters in your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room and not have to worry about your shutters warping, cracking, or flaking off paint. And if you live in a part of the world where heat, humidity, and extreme temperature changes are the norm, consider composite shutters for your entire home.
All Shutters Offer a Classic Look
A home filled with interior shutters has a sense of solidity and elegance that’s hard to match. Both wood and composite shutters share this design power, but there are a few differences.
When viewed up close, naturally finished or stained wood shutters are unmatched in their beauty. The real wood grain has an organic quality that no other material can match. It is a luxurious touch that can elevate a living room or dining room—or give a sense of stateliness to a bedroom or home office.
The close-up view of real wood grain is missing in composite shutters. That said, the simulated finishes you’ll find in the Graber Composite Shutters collection are outstanding. Most guests in your home will not know you’re using composite materials unless they do a very close inspection.
But the thing to remember when comparing wood and composite shutters is that it’s not a contest—they’re actually designed to complement one another. In fact, composite and wood colors and finishes cross over so you can install real wood shutters in the living room (where the temperature and humidity are relatively stable) and matching composite shutters in the kitchen (near the stove where there’s a lot of heat and humidity)—and no one will know the difference! These are products that have been engineered to work together wherever you put them. The slight cost difference between the two is a product of material costs—but both are built with the same high quality and function exactly the same, each in its preferred environment. And both are of similar weight—with composite shutters generally weighing a bit more than wood shutters.
Learn Why Composite Shutters are Perfect for Bathrooms
Which Shutter Option Is Right for You?
Choosing between wood and composite shutters is simple. For living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and any other room that has relatively stable temperature and humidity, wood shutters are the ideal choice. But if you’re installing your shutters in a bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or if you live in a climate where the temperature and humidity fluctuates a lot, composite shutters are the right option. Wood shutters do cost slightly more than composite shutters, but you should be sure to compare the costs of both options before you make a decision.
So Which Is Better?
Both. Wood and composite shutters are built to do specific jobs—and Graber wood and composite shutters do those jobs exceptionally well. Graber Wood Shutters bring the beauty of real wood into the home while Graber Composite Shutters bring the sturdy good looks of shutters into high-humidity environments. If you like the look of shutters, you can use them throughout your home, with composite shutters in your bathrooms and wood shutters in the rest of the house—the colors all matched, if you choose.
Built to Last
Both composite and wood shutters have the potential to last for decades. The solid frames, the thick, durable louvers, and the simple design all lend themselves to longevity. Composite shutters are perhaps the most durable—made with a special, moisture resistant material, they resist cracking, twisting, and yellowing. But wood shutters can also last for decades, especially if well cared for. And, like all Graber window treatments, Graber shutters come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Sustainability
Graber Wood Shutters are a truly sustainable product. Made from sustainably managed North American hardwoods, a wood shutter is made with a renewable resource. On top of that, Graber uses basswood, an underutilized hardwood that happens to be perfect for louvers. The milling of the lumber happens at Graber’s wood products plant in northern Michigan. You can feel good purchasing an all-wood product from Graber.
Go With the Experts
When it comes to Graber shutters, you don’t have to worry about making the wrong choice—your Graber Design Expert is there to help you decide which type of shutter is right for each window. They have the experience and information to find just the right designs and materials. Plus, they can help you coordinate all the window treatments in your home—whether they’re shutters or blinds, shades or drapery.
