Shutter materials
Hardwood or waterproof shutters?
Choose hardwood for dry rooms where you want a natural or stained finish, and waterproof ABS for bathrooms, kitchens by the sink and homes exposed to sea air. From across the room a painted hardwood shutter and a waterproof one look much the same; the difference is how each material behaves when it gets wet.
Many homes end up with both: hardwood in the living room and bedrooms, waterproof in the bathroom and en-suite. We bring both on the free home consultation so you can compare them in your own rooms.
How hardwood behaves
Timber is light for its strength, which means wide panels and long spans are possible without extra rails. It can be painted in any colour or stained to show the grain, which is the main reason people choose it. The drawback is movement: wood takes on moisture in damp air and gives it up in dry air. In a steady living room that is not noticeable, but in a steamy bathroom panels can swell, stick and lose their alignment.
How waterproof ABS behaves
Waterproof shutters are made from a material that does not absorb water, so steam, splashes and condensation do not make it swell or warp. It wipes clean with a damp cloth. It is painted rather than stained, so there is no visible grain, and it is a little heavier than hardwood, which means very wide single panels are sometimes split into narrower ones.
Side by side
The main differences at a glance.
- Finish: hardwood can be painted or stained; waterproof is painted only
- Moisture: hardwood suits dry rooms; waterproof copes with steam and splashes
- Weight: hardwood is lighter, allowing wider panels
- Cleaning: both dust easily; waterproof can be wiped down freely
- Styles: both come as full height, tier on tier and café style
Coastal homes
Along the East Kent coast, salt air is hard on timber finishes, particularly on seafront windows that face the weather. We often specify waterproof shutters for those rooms even when they are not bathrooms, and keep hardwood for the sheltered side of the house. Our coastal salt air guide covers this in more detail.
Guarantees and timing
Both materials are made to measure after our visit and usually take 6 to 10 weeks. Selected shutter ranges carry a manufacturer's lifetime guarantee, and we confirm which ranges on the written quote. Our own installation carries a 5-year fitting warranty, whichever material you choose.
The short version
Hardwood for dry rooms and stained finishes, waterproof for steam, splashes and sea air.
Shutter materials - your questions
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