Vinyl shutters in Santa Cruz: vinyl or wood?

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

Santa Cruz's weather and homes

In Santa Cruz, September averages a high of 76.7°F and December a low of 40.9°F, about 6 days a year reach 90°F, 6 nights fall at or below freezing, and 30.5 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year. That's fewer hot days than 94% of the 881 US cities we have climate figures for.

68% of homes were built before 1980, and owners live in 48% of them.

Watsonville, 15 miles away, has much the same number of days a year at 90°F or more (7).

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

How the choices compare in Santa Cruz
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 Cruz 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