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.
