Wood vs. Plastic?
Both materials can be successfully used in the manufacture of interior shutters and window shutters, the decision as to which material used is based on the environment of the window shutters. The environmental factors that impact shutters in this decision are: heat and water.

Heat: Plastic is formed/shaped by heat. The blown PVC used in most plastic shutter components is formed at 160 degrees. Likewise, as temperatures in a window approach 120 degrees, plastic can begin to lose its rigidity. Hollow plastic louvers begin to lose their beam strength (ability to span even short lengths – you would call this warping – see picture above) at temperatures as low as 120 degrees.

Water: This is generally much less a factor. Wood as a tree is formed with water; a tree transports solids within itself by the movement of water. As a result, wood can be reformed with moisture; either deliberately, as in the process of steam bending wood or the production of paper, or inadvertently by subjecting wood to standing water on your window sill or subjecting it to long periods of high humidity – neither are terribly likely in your home. If so, you have greater problems than what may or may not be happening with your shutter.

Keep in mind; exterior storm or hurricane shutters, in use for generations, have historically been made from real wood. Properly sealed, wood is an ideal base material.
 
So the choice between wood shutters and plastic shutters is dependent upon your environment. Wood shutters can change shape under changes of moisture and plastic shutters can change shape under instances of heat. All windows covered with shutters undergo great extremes in heat, from 40 degrees by night to 150 degrees by day, but not all homes have such wild swings in moisture (measured in relative humidity). Most home’s relative humidity hovers in the 15% range, and wood shutters will maintain 7.2% moisture content in a 78 degree home. We use wood as our material of choice for shutters because it provides the best results for the largest group of homes (i.e. air conditioned) in the United States.

Change Color?
Not likely, and never with our shutters. The paint industry has greatly improved the stability of colors over the past decade. Through our use of UV inhibitors in all our coatings, you should rest assured that your color will remain stable over the lifetime of ownership and that your plantation shutters will last a lifetime.
Finish color change is most often caused by discoloration of the substrate. We effectively isolate the basswood material by utilizing state of the art technology/equipment. We high-build a prime seal coat on each profile with a vacuum coater. The vacuum coater leaves a silky smooth base finish for the top coats. An electrostatic coating is applied in 6 layers building a high mil thickness with a buttery smooth surface. The thick finish assures quality longevity.

The quality of the product ought to be more important than the wording of the warranty.

May 16th, 2006, Phx. Az; 101 degrees outside, 141 degrees as measured behind a closed wood shutter. Imagine what a 115 – 120 degree day may drive this temperature to behind your new shutters? Basswood is the only quality choice. It has withstood the test of time for decades!