Wood Shutter Guide

Introduction to Wood Shutters

If you are interested in purchasing wood shutters for your home, there are a few things you should consider. First, you will want to pick which species of wood is best for your application. When selecting a wood species you may want to consider whether you are planning to stain or paint your wood shutters. If you are staining them, then you probably want to consider mahogany or red cedar for their distinct wood grain patterns. If you are planning to paint your wood shutters, then you may want to make your decision based on the physical properties of the different species.

 

Life Span of Wood Shutters

Regardless of species, the #1 questions we get is “How long do wood shutters last?” The answer is this: “How long wood shutters will last depends on how long the finish is maintained properly.” When you finish wood shutters, you will apply some sort of sealant. In painting applications, this will be your primer and should be the correct one for your species of wood. In staining applications, it will be your topcoat. The job of the sealant is to keep moisture out and protect your wood shutters. What happens is that over time, weather will cause your sealant to break down – cracks and splits in the finish will occur. When this happens, the wood is vulnerable to moisture which will then bring on rot. Wood must be protected from the elements of the weather or it’s physical properties will change.



Pine Shutters

Pine shutters are built from Southern Yellow Pine. Yellow Pine works fairly well with machine or hand tools, although resin in wood has a tendency to gum up cutting edges and can present challenges with gluing. Yellow Pine ranks high in nail and screw holding capacity pre-drilling sometimes is required to prevent splitting. It machines well but resins in the wood tend to clog abrasives; frequent sandpaper changes are required. Yellow Pine paints, stains, and varnishes easily, but again, resin bleed-out can be a concern . A wood sealer is recommended to prevent a blotchy appearance when staining. Generally straight but uneven grained with a medium texture. Yellowish white sapwood and reddish brown, orange, or yellow heartwood. Pine is heavy and strong, very stiff, hard and moderately high in shock resistance.


Cedar Shutters

Cedar shutters are built from Western Red Cedar. Like all woods, Western Red Cedar is hygroscopic and will absorb or discharge moisture to attain equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. However, it has a very low shrinkage factor and is superior to all other coniferous woods in its resistance to warping, twisting and checking. Historically, native peoples of the Pacific coast prized cedar for its long lasting qualities and used wood and bark from cedar trees for most of their building needs. Evidence of cedar’s durability are the many cedar artifacts still in good condition today. Properly finished and maintained, cedar will deliver decades of trouble-free service. If exposed for prolonged periods to conditions where decay could be a factor, such as where the wood is in contact with the ground, cedar should be treated with suitable wood preservatives.


Redwood Shutters

Redwood shutters are built from California Redwood. For durability and resistance against insects and decay—redwood is graded by its color. Reddish-brown heartwood from the inner portion of the tree contains extractives that render it resistant to decay. The cream-colored sapwood that develops in the outer growth layer of the tree does not possess the heartwood’s resistance to decay and insects.

As a rule of thumb, all heartwood grades of redwood will have the word “Heart” in the grade name. Excellence of appearance is a major factor in the grading of redwood. Clearness (freedom from knots) is the determinant for the highest grades.


Cypress Shutters

Cypress shutters are built from Bald Cypress. Cypress machines well, planes easily and resists warping. Pre-boring at board edges will help prevent splitting. Cypress nails and screws very well. It glues well, sands easily and readily accepts finishes. Due to the natural preservative oils in Cypress, an oil based primer or sealer is recommended. The heartwood of cypress contains a natural preservative oil which makes it one of the most durable woods for use in exterior applications. You can use bald cypress successfully for both indoor and outdoor projects. It works for furniture, paneling, cabinets, doors, windows, siding, decking, and trim.


Mahogany Shutters

Cypress shutters are built from Bald Cypress. Cypress machines well, planes easily and resists warping. Pre-boring at board edges will help prevent splitting. Cypress nails and screws very well. It glues well, sands easily and readily accepts finishes. Due to the natural preservative oils in Cypress, an oil based primer or sealer is recommended. The heartwood of cypress contains a natural preservative oil which makes it one of the most durable woods for use in exterior applications. You can use bald cypress successfully for both indoor and outdoor projects. It works for furniture, paneling, cabinets, doors, windows, siding, decking, and trim.