Exterior window shutters give buildings colour and dimension. They add character and offer versatility in providing privacy and security for occupants. Installing durable exterior window shutters is prudent to enjoy such long-lasting benefits. It all starts with choosing the right materials for the shutters. This guide gives insights into the right materials for durable exterior window shutters.
Materials for Durable Exterior Window Shutters
The most common materials for exterior window bushfire shutters are versatile, easily available, and easy to maintain. Beyond their utility, they add beauty to shutters, turning them into sleek upgrades.
The following are materials that bring out the best of exterior roller window shutters:
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Polyvinyl Chloride ( PVC )
Exterior window shutters made of plastic polymer or PVC suffer little or no erosion. The lack of degradation makes them extremely durable. The lack of metal in their composition protects them from rust. Still, some shutter owners and installers advise people to reinforce PVC with metal, such as aluminium, to make them robust.
PVC shutters are easier to clean, requiring wiping with water and mild cleaning solutions. White PVC can last for years without fading or needing painting. Most manufacturers mould colours into the shutter material and fortify it with UV inhibitors to reduce fading. Their water-resistant aspect makes them suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry, and areas with high humidity.
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Wood
Though organic and expensive, wood is as durable as other robust materials for exterior window shutters. Natural woods, especially hardwoods like oak, maple, basswood, and cider, serve well for window shutters. Pine is a suitable softwood for shutters.
Note, though, that raw wood and its products require extra care to ensure their durability. They are prone to insect damage. Moisture damage causes fractures, rot, and warping. Wood needs a sealant to control such water damage. Water also makes the paint on wood shutters flake and peel off. Resin in some woods forms a natural protection against decay.
Heat also expands wood, leading to warping and swelling. When wood cools off, it may shrink, affecting the shutters’ appearance and functioning. Wood remains an aesthetic option with a natural feel and look from the grain. It lasts long with a base primer and outdoor-grade paint or varnish for maintenance.
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Aluminium
Aluminium is ideal for external window shutters because it is light and strong. Powder-coated aluminium is stylish and durable. Aluminium bends in the face of strong winds and does not warp, splinter, or crack. It is low maintenance, rustproof, easy to clean and non-porous.
Aluminium window shutters are easy to customize into bespoke colours, shapes, and sizes, which enhances their versatility. They are easy to integrate into different architectural and decorating themes. There are pre-assembled non-weld varieties that are easy to install. Still, it is one of the pricier window shutter materials, but it gives back in its high quality, beauty, and durability.
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Vinyl
Though vinyl is one of the most affordable shutter materials, it is not durable. It has a smooth surface with a plastic faux wood look that blends with many décor styles. These shutters often discolour, warp, and crack. Vinyl window shatters have a hollow and weak structure, hence their tendency to sag.
They are waterproof, which protects them from moisture damage. They soil easily, even showing fingerprints and stains. Simple cleaning using water and a mild detergent improves their appearance significantly. They can be painted, preferably with acrylic paint, to make them look pristine, especially after fading due to sun exposure.
Conclusion
Selecting the right material for durable exterior window shutters can be overwhelming. There are many valuable options on the market. Other factors to consider when choosing window shutter material include style, appearance, price, and maintenance. The choice and installation of window shutters sometimes require the approval of local authorities. Yet exterior window shutters remain a sturdy, gorgeous, and functional option to dress a building’s exterior.
