Shutter BoysVinyl shutters in Bristol: vinyl or wood?
Bristol's weather and homes
In Bristol, July averages a high of 83.7°F and January a low of 17°F, about 13 days a year reach 90°F, 142 nights fall at or below freezing, and 51.9 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year. That's fewer hot days than 82% of the 881 US cities we have climate figures for.
69% of homes were built before 1980, and owners live in 65% of them.
New Britain, 8 miles away, has 17 days a year at 90°F or more, more than Bristol's 13.
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.
Dry winters
Here's a fair point for vinyl: it doesn't take on or give off moisture, so dry heated winters don't move it. Wood moves a little with the seasons; paint and a sensible indoor humidity keep it small.
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.
Where vinyl does win
In a wet climate, vinyl's real advantage is water: it's waterproof and wood isn't. For a window inside a shower, vinyl is the right product. For every other room, a ventilated painted wood shutter does better.
| Feature | Solid poplar (ours) | Vinyl / PVC | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand to fit an uneven opening | Yes | No | Usually not |
| Repaint later | Yes | Not recommended | Depends on the coating |
| Colours | Any paint or stain | Mostly whites | Factory colours |
| Shower spray | Keep it away | Waterproof | Only with a waterproof option |
| Skylights and hot glass | Doesn’t soften in heat | Makers advise against skylights | Ask the maker |
Where our shutters fit
Every Shutter Boys shutter is made from solid American poplar to the measurements you take, then shipped to Bristol 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
More about shutters in Bristol
Vinyl shutters near Bristol
- New Britain 8 mi
- Waterbury 10 mi
- West Hartford 11 mi
- Meriden 12 mi
- Hartford 14 mi
- East Hartford 18 mi
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.