Plantation Shutters Shopping Guide: What to Buy in Australia and Why?

With the popularity of plantation shutters in Australian homes, a wide selection of materials, brands, and quality levels exist on the market. This can make the buying process confusing for homeowners looking to invest in plantation shutters. This shopping guide breaks down the pros, cons, costs, and best uses of the various plantation shutter options available in Australia today. We’ll cover how to select plantation shutters based on rooms, architecture, budget, and lifestyle factors.

Interior Wood Plantation Shutters

Wood remains the most classic and versatile plantation shutter material for interior rooms. Pros of real wood interior plantation shutters:

• Timeless aesthetic and feel of real timber. Communicates quality and craftsmanship.
• Ability to stain or paint in limitless colors and finishes. From bold painted colors to natural translucent stains.
• Durable and long-lasting with proper care and maintenance. Lifespans over 20 years.
• Softer acoustic properties reduce echo and noise compared to hollow plastic and metal.
• Customizable with specialty shapes, cutout, louvers, and decorative hardware.
• Sustainably renewable material from managed timber sources.

Potential downsides of interior wood plantation shutters:

• More expensive upfront cost than synthetic alternative materials.
• Requires greater care and maintenance than synthetic alternatives.
• More prone to dinging, scratching, and cracking if not handled with care.
• Susceptible to moisture damage, expansion and contraction if humidity isn’t controlled.

For most interior settings, wood shutters provide an unmatchable warmth and timeless sophistication. Durability is enhanced choosing denser hardwoods.

Best Interior Wood Shutter Options

Not all wood is equal when it comes to the ideal species for interior shutters. Factors to consider:

Paint Grade vs. Stain Grade – Paint grade woods like poplar and basswood take paint better. While stain grade woods like oak and ash showcase grain.

Hardness – Harder woods resist dents and scratches better. But excessive hardness like hickory can crack over time. Find the right balance.

Straight Graining – Straighter and more consistent grain patterns stain most attractively. Curly grains can appear blotchy.

Stability – Woods that resist cupping and twisting like cypress make the most stable shutters. Strength comes from density and cut direction.

Affordability – Cheaper softwoods keep costs down but may be more prone to damage. Find the right budget balance.

Talk to experts to select the ideal wood species for your application, taste, and budget.

Composite Alternative Interior Shutters

For cost-effective durability, composite manmade shutter materials offer pros and cons:

Pros

• Offers close visual approximation to real stained wood shutters at a lower cost.
• Durable, dent resistant, and crack resistant synthetic construction.
• Consistent quality not subject to natural wood grain variations.
• Won’t expand, contract, or warp under humidity and temperature changes.
• Often backed by long 10+ year warranties from manufacturers.

Cons

• Still pricier than basic vinyl options.
• Lacks depth and soul of real solid timber. Composition doesn’t quite mimic wood grain convincingly to the touch.
• Limited ability to alter color once fabricated. What you buy is what you get.
• Can show light scratches over time on darker colors.

While not equivalent to real wood, today’s composite shutters provide a durable lower-priced alternative with wood-like aesthetics and stability.

Best Composite Shutter Product Options

Noteworthy composite shutter product lines popular in Australia:

Timbermate – Features Stratapine resin and wood fiber blend with realistic faux grain. 20-year warranty. Made in Australia.

Bistro Shutter – Combines PVC, Styrene, and cellulose fiber for wood-mimic properties at lower cost.

Endure Shutters – Utilizes polymer resins and bamboo fibers. Reputable brand. Available in Australia.

Everview Shutters – PVC composite with acrylic cap layer for enhanced scratch resistance. Budget friendly.

Fauxwood Shutters – Uses polymer resins filled with organic fibers. Competitively priced.

While wood reigns supreme, quality composite alternatives bring many perks.

Basic Vinyl Interior Shutters

On the most economical end of the spectrum, all-vinyl plantation shutters offer:

Pros

• Lowest upfront material cost. Significant savings over wood and composite.
• Consistent quality with no natural defects or variations.
• Highly resistant to moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. Won’t warp or crack.
• Durable and dent resistant synthetic construction.
• Low maintenance. Just occasional cleaning needed.

Cons

• Lightweight hollow feel lacks richness of wood. Feels flimsy.
• Limited color selection often just basic white or off-white.
• Prone to discoloring, yellowing, and becoming brittle over time with sun exposure. Shorter lifespan.
• Can look dated quickly as interior design trends evolve compared to classic wood.

While vinyl offers affordability, the tradeoffs in quality, aesthetics, and longevity are substantial. Use with realistic expectations.

Best Vinyl Shutter Options

Not all vinyl shutters are created equal. Better quality vinyl shutters feature:

• Thicker vinyl slats that don’t bend as easily. At least 5 mm thick.
• UV-resistant vinyl formulation to prevent fading and yellowing over time.
• Reinforced vinyl slats to reduce flexing using inserted aluminum or composite strips.
• Higher density vinyl with realistic faux wood grain imprinting on surfaces.
• Brand name vinyls like Klearview shutters rather than generic unbranded vinyl.

While limited compared to wood, opting for better vinyl formulations enhances quality and lifespan.

Aluminum Exterior Shutters

Painted aluminum is commonly used for durable exterior shutters in Australia. Benefits include:

Pros

• Thin strong slats resist warping, cracking and moisture damage outside.
• take and retain paint finishes exceptionally well. Wide color selection.
• Lightweight for easy handling. Easy to operate and control.
• Provides security and protection for windows during storms.
• Minimal maintenance required. Just occasional repainting over long lifetime.

Cons

• Metal lacks warmth and soft look of wood shutters. Imparts an industrial feel.
• Dents rather than scratches like wood. Dents can’t be easily repaired.
• Noisier operation than wood shutters. Can vibrate in windy conditions.
• Higher cost than vinyl or composite but on par with wood.

For no-fuss durability in seafront and storm-prone Australian regions, aluminum exterior shutters are hard to beat.

Best Aluminum Shutter Options

Noteworthy quality aluminum shutter brands include:

Colorbond Aluminium Shutters – Made of dent-resistant aluminum coated in powder-coated Colorbond steel. Aussie brand.

Stratco Aluminium Shutters – Top Aussie manufacturer using strong aluminum for coastal regions. Custom shapes and colors.

Faus Aluminium Shutters – Premier Spanish aluminum brand with ornate cutout options.

Shutter Right Aluminium Shutters – Offered by major Aussie shutter supplier. Affordable aluminum strength.

Decorative Aluminium Shutters – For ornate wrought iron-inspired designs in aluminum.

For demanding seaside Australian settings, aluminum delivers durable worry-free performance.

Exterior Timber Shutters

In protected covered areas outdoors, real timber plantation shutters carry distinct advantages:

Pros

• Provides authentic curb appeal wood conveys over aluminum or vinyl on porches and patios.
• Can utilize naturally rot-resistant timbers like cedar, cypress, and redwood.
• Allow rich translucent stain colors not possible with painted metal shutters.
• Softer appearance than bold aluminum. Blends rather than contrasts against exterior.
• With overhangs, proper sealing and maintenance, longevity can match or exceed composites.

Cons

• Requires rigorous waterproofing and sealing during installation for exterior durability.
• More ongoing finish maintenance needed compared to aluminum and vinyl.
• Prone to weathering, checking, and splitting without proper care.

For covered outdoor living areas, real wood shutters deliver aesthetic pleasures synthetic shutters can’t quite duplicate.

Best Exterior Timber Shutter Options

Optimal timber species for exterior Australian plantation shutters include:

Cedar – Rots resistant. Takes stains and paint well. Handles moisture and insect threats.

Cypress – Dense wood bars pests. Handles constant dampness if properly sealed. Gray naturally.

Redwood – Impervious to rot and insects naturally. Difficult to source sustainably in AU though.

Meranti – Affordable Asian hardwood. Used for exterior AU decking. Must be well-sealed.

Teak – Extremely durable and stable. Costly but long-lasting. Adds sophistication.

Consult experts to select lasting timber suitable to your home’s specific outdoor environment.

Vinyl Bahama/Plantation Style Exterior Shutters

Where an affordable exterior option is needed in Australian conditions, vinyl Bahama or plantation-style shutters offer:

Pros

• Affordability over wood. Especially helpful for extensive shutter needs.
• Durable exterior-grade vinyl resists humidity, rot, and rain.
• Lightweight for easy cleaning and operation.
• Effective at blocking sun on patios and balconies when angled open.
• Colorhold vinyl prevents UV fading. White reflects sunlight well.

Cons

• Provides privacy when closed but no adjustable light control.
• Can look cheap depending on vinyl quality and colors available.
• Vinyl discolors and becomes brittle over decades of sun exposure.
• Limited size availability. Difficult to customize.

While not equal to wood, resilient easy-care vinyl suits exterior spaces needing basic shutters.

Knowing When Custom Wood is Worth the Investment

Despite higher costs, custom wood plantation shutters offer advantages over off-the-shelf synthetic options:

Made to your precise specifications – No need to size up and settle for “close enough” fits. Or pay extra for minor adjustments.

Quality vetted materials – Reputable dealers source ideal woods or composites suited for each installation and climate.

Handcrafted – Experienced woodworking and quality control ensures sturdy joints, smooth planing, quality finishing. Noticeable to the eye and touch.

Design input – Customize louver sizes, shapes, decorative elements for an optimal personalized look.

Proper installation – Precise fitting, sealing, hanging by trained technicians gives proper operation immediately.

For signature windows or feature walls where quality matters, custom wood plantations truly elevate aesthetics and functionality.

When to Consider Affordable Synthetic Shutters

In less prominent spaces where budget constraints exist, affordable composite or vinyl shutters may suffice:

• Guest bedrooms not constantly used. Durability demands are lower.
• Rental properties where aesthetics are not a priority.
• Spot applications like closet doors where shutters won’t be constantly viewed up close.
• As exterior shutters on secondary facades not street-facing.
• For paint-grade applications where wood grain visible through stain isn’t critical.

If appearance matters less than cost savings, synthetic shutters serve reasonably well in background roles.

Partnering With Knowledgeable Local Providers

To get optimal shutters meeting your exact specifications, environmental conditions, and budget, reputable local specialists add value:

• Handle measuring complex windows accurately.
• Honestly advise which materials suit your home and purposes.
• Source quality shutter materials from trusted brands.
• Offer fair pricing with open quotes rather than hidden tacked-on fees.
• Provide skilled installation for smooth trouble-free operation.
• Remain available for warranty servicing and repairs.

Find experienced local pros passionate about delivering shutters perfect for you.

We hope this overview assists you in making sense of the shutter selection process. Let us know if you have any other questions!