Wood shutters in San Rafael

What real wood offers over vinyl and composite in San Rafael's homes and weather, and how our made-to-measure poplar shutters fit in.
Level 1 (flat) moulding, paint stage 1, 3½-inch louvers, tilting open and closed.

San Rafael homes and weather, for wood

In San Rafael, August averages a high of 81.3°F and December a low of 42.1°F, about 20 days a year reach 90°F, 3 nights fall at or below freezing, and 34.5 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year.

71% of homes were built before 1980 and 8% in 2000 or later; 48% are detached houses.

In Novato, 7 miles away, 64% of homes are built before 1980, 7 points fewer than here.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024; NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Daylight and sun height: calculated from the city’s latitude.

Older, out-of-square openings

In a city where 71% of homes are decades old, openings are rarely perfectly square. Wood can be lightly sanded to fit at install; vinyl and most coated composites can't.

How to measure

How the choices compare in San Rafael
FeatureSolid poplar (ours)Vinyl / PVCComposite
Sand to fit an uneven openingYesNoUsually not
Repaint laterYesNot recommendedDepends on the coating
ColoursAny paint or stainMostly whitesFactory colours
Shower sprayKeep it awayWaterproofOnly with a waterproof option
Skylights and hot glassDoesn’t soften in heatMakers advise against skylightsAsk the maker

Where our shutters fit

Every Shutter Boys shutter is made from solid American poplar to the measurements you take, then shipped to San Rafael for you to fit. One wood, painted in any colour or stained, with nothing hollow inside.

The designer shows the price of each window as you add it, in US dollars.

Price your windows

Pick your look once, add every window, and see each one drawn and priced. Send it to us and we reply with your quote.

Design your shutters