Shutters: Real Wood vs Imitation Wood - What Has Been Your Experience

depending upon your environmental views wood can be considered a bad choice - but in my opinion plastic and particle board are worse as they can gas off toxins into YOUR environment - my choice would be real wood - it can be stained or painted and it will hold up better than imitation wood (plastic or paper-covered particle board) - shutters (no matter what they are made of) aren't the greatest insulation barrier but they are better than mini-blinds or curtains (except heavy double-layered ones)and they are much prettier than either of those

Shutters are shutters. We have bought the less expensive version, imitation wood. They've held up nicely and not warping or discoloring. I have bought them for my last 3 homes in the last 6 years and to date all are still in excellent condition. Save the money, go imitation.

real wood. I have real wood and they are really nice and they don't bow after time like the plastic. they are worth the money!!!!

We have had to buy blinds for 3 houses in the past 4 years. Granted they aren't shutters, but I hope my opinions on the blinds help.
For the first 2 houses, we got real wood because we're snobs and thought real was better. We got them in a maple. Within about 5 months, in the Arizona heat and sun, they faded terribly. Half the blinds were yellowed and the other half was normal. So we could only close them one way or we'd have a 2 tone look to our windows.
For the last house, we got smart and bought fake. We bought it in a white color and they look real. They only complaint is that my 2 year old decided to bend one and now it's awkward looking. But we can easily bend it back...I think we're just lazy lately!
My parents have shutters in white. They are real wood and look wonderful. Seeing that they are white, they don't fade.
So my opinion is that if you get white, it doesn't matter, but if you get a maple or any other real wood look, go with fake to help with fading.

I used imitation wood in the kitchen...where water/food splashes and spotting could be an issue.
I would have chosen real wood otherwise, if I could..being a bit distrustful of engineered products that might give off formaldehyde or other chemicals.

Hi T.,

We have imitation white - it's a mixture between plastic and wood. They get the morning and afternoon sun, plus our 18 month old son bangs them all the time with toys and just being boyish. Yet they still look brand new.
Our friends got the real wood from the same company. They have only had theirs for a few months and she complains that they are already warping...she says they don't shut evenly anymore - she gets the afternoon and evening sun. She wishes she got what we have.

Wish you luck on your purchase! Shutters are are fun and look AMAZING! Low maintence too!

Have a nice day!

Imitation wood. In my first house I bought real wood blinds and 5 years later when we moved they were chipping.