The material your shutters are made from will ultimately determine how much you’ll pay. Hardwood shutters are the highest-end shutters because they use genuine basswood and poplar hardwood. Vinyl shutters, being made of synthetic materials, will cost less than solid wood. If you love the look of authentic wood but don’t love its price, you can combine the best of hardwood with the best of vinyl: composite shutters use natural wood and modern materials at a perfect blend of price.

When researching shutters, one of the most compelling “pros” is that they add value to your home—if you ever decide to sell your home, their timelessness appeals to most homebuyers and gives your home a high-end look on the market. However, the cons of shutters include problems like louvers that won’t stay open or that stick or sag. These problems can be avoided by investing in high-quality shutters such as those we offer from Hunter Douglas, Norman®, and Alta Window Fashions.

Quality crafted shutters stand up well to age and activity, but your lifestyle is still important when choosing between them. Robust and reliable, all shutters are great options for family homes because they don’t require what can be dangerous dangling cords. Shutters also can often take a hurtling ball or an adventurous cat—and if an accident does happen, you’ll rarely have to replace a whole panel, just the affected louvers. While hardwood shutters ultimately last longer, they require more maintenance. Vinyl shutters are more resilient to high-activity homes and perform best in children’s bedrooms and playrooms.