Vinyl shutters in Gainesville: vinyl or wood?

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

Gainesville's weather and homes

In Gainesville, July averages a high of 91.1°F and January a low of 42.6°F, about 90 days a year reach 90°F, 15 nights fall at or below freezing, and 54.7 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year. That's more hot days than 76% of the 881 US cities we have climate figures for.

44% of homes were built before 1980, and owners live in 38% of them.

Ocala, 37 miles away, has 110 days a year at 90°F or more, more than Gainesville's 90.

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.

Heat and vinyl

90 days a year reach 90°F. Vinyl makers are careful about heat: Hunter Douglas advises against its vinyl shutters in skylights, where it says the frame and louvers may warp. On a hot, sunny glass wall here, solid wood is the safer choice.

Wood vs vinyl, with sources

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.

Bathroom shutters

Renting

62% 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 Gainesville
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 Gainesville 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