You've made the decision to make a move from traditional blinds or drapes to plantation style shutters. It's a smart move, plantation shutters add beauty and elegance to any room in the house. In addition, shutters can make your home more marketable since shutters have become a popular option for homeowners all around the world. The only question is--What material is best for shutters?

Wood Shutters

You'd be hard pressed to find someone who didn't like the look of hardwood inside their home. Hardwood floors have long been a popular option for floors and that's carried over into other home decor, including shutters. 

The pros of hardwood shutters are many. Poplar, oak, and basswood imbue rooms with warm, natural light. These hardwoods are durable and can be painted or stained to match almost any indoor color scheme. Telling friends and family that "those are hardwood shutters you're looking at" certainly offers a degree of pride to the homeowner. Wood shutters are lighter than poly or vinyl, meaning you can opt for a cleaner, two panel look to cover a door or window rather than dealing with the weight of a poly shutter which often requires four panels.

The only real downside of wood shutters is the cost. Just like hardwood floors, real wood shutters can be expensive. If your heart is set on hardwood shutters, keep a close eye out for deals. Every so often you can find good plantation shutters for cheap, but make sure to factor in the cost of installation.

Poly and Vinyl

There are quite a few pros to purchasing artificial shutters. Durability is the key here. Material such as polypropylene and layered vinyl is strong! Color and finish will last the life of the shutter with no fading or treating needed. In certain areas of the house such as the bathroom, kitchen or garage, moisture can be a problem. Wood shutters need to be treated against it every few years, but not poly. It's less expensive than wood and works just as well. 

If you're looking for a specific color, poly shutters may not be for you. They usually come in a few shades of white but cannot be stained or painted without damage to the material. Poly shutters are much heavier than wood, adding pressure to hinges and joints in the walls. If panels are too large this can result in falling panels or damaged drywall.