Vinyl shutters in Santa Clara: vinyl or wood?

Vinyl is cheaper and waterproof; solid wood can be sanded, repainted and made in any colour. Which suits Santa Clara's weather and homes, room by room.
Arched window, level 3 moulding, paint stage 2.

Santa Clara's weather and homes

In Santa Clara, August averages a high of 81.4°F and December a low of 41.7°F, about 16 days a year reach 90°F, 3 nights fall at or below freezing, and 15.6 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year. That's fewer hot days than 76% of the 881 US cities we have climate figures for.

59% of homes were built before 1980, and owners live in 41% of them.

Sunnyvale, 4 miles away, has 9 days a year at 90°F or more, fewer than Santa Clara's 16.

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.

Uneven openings

In older homes, openings are rarely square. Wood can be lightly sanded to fit at install; vinyl can't be sanded at all.

How to measure

Renting

59% of homes are rented. If you're furnishing a rental you'll leave in a year or two, a cheaper vinyl shutter can make sense; for a home you'll stay in, wood can be repainted when you redecorate.

Are shutters worth it?

How the choices compare in Santa Clara
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 Santa Clara for you to fit. We make solid poplar only, because it is the better shutter in every room that stays dry.

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

Need vinyl for a shower window as well? We can supply it alongside your wood shutters. Ask about vinyl

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