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What Type of Shutters Last the Longest?

August 8, 2024 | adminmont

When it comes to curb appeal, nothing quite packs a punch like new exterior shutters. But once you’ve made the decision to upgrade, choosing a material can feel totally overwhelming. Beyond color and shape, there’s one element that shouldn’t be overlooked: longevity. Ahead, we’re breaking down different types of shutters and how long they last.

Wood Shutters:

Wood shutters are a classic choice, and our selections here at Monument Shutters are no exception. Our Southern Yellow Pine lumber has been a common type of wood used in the construction trade over the years, and it’s the most dense softwood available.

We also carry cedar shutters, which is the most popular wood type used in exterior shutters because of its resistance to both insects and decay. Cedar is often used in outdoor projects because of its sturdiness and ability to withstand tough weather.

Overall, our wood shutters are manufactured using only the highest quality woods. Our wood is kiln-dried, which helps make it less prone to warpage and shrinkage and more resistant to temperature extremes. Plus, our manufacturing process combines state-of-the-art equipment with hand-crafted workmanship for the finest custom shutter available.

Vinyl Shutters

Vinyl shutters are a frequent choice of homeowners, builders and contractors. Why? They feature long-lasting beauty, a wide range of colors and styles, and are easy to install. Vinyl shutters are perhaps the lowest maintenance shutter out there, because they won’t warp, rot, or attract termites.

We carry 15+ colors in vinyl shutters, making it easier than ever to find a beautiful, cohesive look for your home. However, although vinyl shutters are more convenient than other options, they likely won’t last you quite as many years as wood or composite.

Composite Shutters

Naysayers will complain that composite isn’t real wood. To that, we always reply: “Correct, it may be better!” Composite shutters resist insects, rot, and tough climates without problem, and they have that hardwood look a lot of people want — all at an affordable price point. Our composite shutters are made here in the U.S.A, use no added formaldehyde, and are environmentally friendly. Plus, they’re unrivaled in durability.

At Monument Shutters, we use Extira® Composite material for many reasons, but longevity and quality are the two most important. Although these panels look like MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), they’re actually 15% stronger! The manufacturing process is completely different, and the Extira shutters boast superior performance. In fact, we’re so confident in them that we offer a 10 year limited warranty.

The takeaway:

Wood shutters are relatively long-lasting AND they can be repainted. Generally speaking, you may get anywhere from 10 to 20+ years out of use out of your shutters. However, they are more vulnerable to rot, termites and moisture damage comparatively.

Vinyl shutters are highly sought after because of how popular vinyl siding is on new houses and because they are incredibly low maintenance. However, once paint eventually peels off of vinyl shutters, it’s not usually worth repainting them. Instead, you should replace them. Vinyl shutters are incredibly convenient and low maintenance compared to other options, but they likely won’t last you as long.

Finally, our composite shutters are engineered with durability at the forefront, and are built to withstand tough weather conditions. Because our composite shutters are created with materials that are 15% stronger than MDF, they get our vote for longest-lasting shutter.

Find a material that sounds like the right fit for your home? Shop the range here!