The cost of PVC window shutters with installation ranges from $25 to $40 per square foot, while aluminum shutters are almost twice as expensive. But is price the only advantage of PVC shutters, and could their installation be a mistake?
As summer approaches, the question of how to protect your home from the heat becomes increasingly relevant. Of course, quality wall insulation and air conditioning are essential, but an often overlooked detail is the importance of exterior shutters. These can play a significant role in controlling indoor temperatures during the summer months. Shutters can effectively reduce the amount of heat entering your home through windows.
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Curtains and blinds might block light, but they are installed inside the glass, meaning heat still enters your home. Exterior shutters, on the other hand, are mounted outside the window and absorb the sun’s rays, preventing heat from entering. Plus, installing shutters can significantly extend the lifespan of your windows.
In short, aluminum shutters are generally considered a higher-quality option, but PVC is still a good choice. PVC shutters are resistant to corrosion and provide good thermal and sound insulation. Aluminum shutters, filled with polyurethane foam, offer slightly better thermal and sound insulation than PVC, despite being metal. However, the differences are minor and often unnoticeable in practice.
The cost of installing PVC window shutters in the U.S. typically ranges between $25 and $40 per square foot, making them a budget-friendly option compared to aluminum shutters, which can be nearly twice as expensive.
One downside of PVC is that, although resistant to corrosion, it has slightly weaker mechanical properties. The slats of the shutters are flat, hollow, and quite long, making them prone to bending. This typically happens during extreme heat when PVC becomes softer. However, this usually only occurs with improper handling, such as trying to move a stuck shutter.
For these reasons, experienced technicians recommend not installing PVC shutters on large windows or using multiple segments if you do. Furthermore, what you’ll often hear from seasoned professionals is that the material is less important than how the shutters are made and installed. If the box housing the shutters is well-installed and the mechanism is of high quality, the shutters will work smoothly for many years, regardless of whether they are made of aluminum or PVC.
The conclusion is clear – if you’ve installed high-quality aluminum windows and budget isn’t an issue, aluminum shutters are the better choice. However, if you currently have no shutters and can only afford PVC, you won’t be making a mistake. Just be sure to hire a skilled professional to take accurate measurements, create high-quality mechanisms, and install the shutters correctly, and your PVC shutters will last for many years.