Which Shutters Are The Best

When it comes to choosing outdoor shutters for your home, it can be easy to get caught up in the different types and become unsure about which is best for your needs. 

Ultimately, deciding which shutter is best for you will involve careful consideration of a variety of factors. This includes looking into their benefits, functionality, durability, maintenance requirements, aesthetics and cost. 

To help you make an informed decision on which shutters are best for your needs and preferences, we’ve prepared this detailed guide outlining the different types of shutters, their purpose and more. 

What Is the Purpose Of Outdoor Shutters? 

Different shutter types can vary significantly in terms of what they offer. They can be used to:

• Aid in the control of light and noise entering the home
• Keep out heat and cold for a more comfortable and energy-efficient home
• Create a barrier against intruders for improved security and safety
• Protect against the elements such as high winds, harsh UV rays, hail or similar 
• Enhance privacy 
• Improve the curb appeal of a home and more.

Types Of Shutters To Choose From

There are several different types of shutters to choose from, including the following. 

Aluminium Shutters

An increasingly popular choice for homeowners in Melbourne and Australia-wide, aluminium shutters are a sleek and modern option. 

Despite their appealing aesthetic, aluminium shutters make no compromises on performance and suit all of the purposes outlined above. 

Lightweight and durable, they can be completely customised to suit a range of window sizes and come in a great range of colours. 

Pros

• Sleek yet tough
• The optimal multi-purpose solution for maximum benefits and versatility
• Non-corrosive and able to last for decades with minimal maintenance 

Cons

• Can be more expensive than some alternatives 
• Not all aluminium shutters offer the same quality standards so performance may vary

Steel Shutters 

Incredibly tough and durable, steel shutters are largely favoured as a security solution thanks to their unparalleled strength. 

Like aluminium shutters, they also perform well against Australia’s harsh weather conditions and give greater control over light and heat entering a home. 

Due to the weight of steel, these shutters are less suited to large openings and can be more difficult to manage. 

Pros

• Superior strength against intruders and weather
• Assist with light control and privacy
• Are durable and long-lasting 

Cons

• Are more prone to corrosion
• Are much heavier than other alternatives potentially requiring bigger motors and greater structural support 
• Not suited to all openings due to their weight 

PVC Shutters 

Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC is a type of thermoplastic material that can also be used in the creation of window shutters. 

Even more lightweight than aluminium shutters, PVC shutters offer a reasonable level of protection against the elements, insulation and control over light. They are poorly suited to the purpose of security when compared to steel or aluminium as they are more easily breached by intruders.  

Resistant to moisture, they cannot corrode, however, over time UV exposure can begin to break down the curtain structure. 

Pros

• May be more cost-effective compared to steel or aluminium options
• Well suited to managing light and improving window insulation 
• Exceptionally lightweight 

Cons

• Being plastic, they are susceptible to UV breakdown
• Not very effective as a security measure 
• Typically do not last as long as steel or aluminium 

Wooden Shutters

As a general rule, timber shutters fitted to the exterior of a home are largely about aesthetics. Able to deliver a classic and timeless look to a home, they offer little in the way of other benefits such as security or effective light control. 

Wooden shutters do allow for advanced customisation, but can also be heavy, difficult to use and require extensive upkeep to withstand the elements and remain looking their best.  

Pros

• Very customisable
• Adds warmth and character
• Easily installed and changed 

Cons

• Heavy
• Benefits limited largely to aesthetic appeal
• Requires intensive and continued maintenance 

How To Choose The Right Shutters For Your Home

Considering the above, the best way to determine which option is right for your needs is to create a checklist of your preferences, requirements and what you want the shutter to provide. 

In terms of practicality and functional versatility, aluminium shutters consistently outperform all other listed options as they offer the maximum amount of benefits. 

Where security is not a concern and you simply wish to block out light and achieve greater energy efficiency, PVC may be the way to go. 

If pure aesthetics is your goal on the other hand, then wooden shutters might be the best choice for you .

Consider Your Needs Over Time  

No matter which shutters you’re leaning towards, they all represent an investment into your home. 

To ensure you gain the maximum return on this investment, be sure to also factor in their long-term usefulness before deciding. 

This means considering how your needs may change over time and whether greater versatility is a more worthwhile choice. For instance, insulation against neighbourhood noise may not worry you now, but it may later on as traffic in your area increases. 

The Titan Shutters Difference 

At Titan Shutters, we uphold the highest manufacturing and quality standards and are committed to ongoing research and innovation within our industry. 

This approach allows us to provide shutters of unmatched quality and value that deliver an exceptional range of benefits suited to just about any need. 

Manufactured in Australia to your home’s exact specifications and customised to meet your preferences, we guarantee our shutters will exceed expectations.

Offering a turn-around time of just 4 weeks compared to our competitor’s timelines of 8 to 10 weeks, Titan Shutters makes choosing the right shutters easy and sees you enjoying them in record time. 

Call Titan Shutters today at 1300 020 001 to learn more or to arrange your obligation-free quote.