Shutter BoysVinyl shutters in Ames: vinyl or wood?
Ames's weather and homes
In Ames, July averages a high of 83.9°F and January a low of 10.9°F, about 17 days a year reach 90°F, 147 nights fall at or below freezing, and 38.5 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year. That's fewer hot days than 74% of the 881 US cities we have climate figures for.
40% of homes were built before 1980, and owners live in 42% of them.
Ankeny, 21 miles away, has 23 days a year at 90°F or more, more than Ames's 17.
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.
Renting
58% 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.
| 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 Ames 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 Ames
Vinyl shutters near Ames
- Ankeny 21 mi
- Des Moines 31 mi
- West Des Moines 34 mi
- Waterloo 73 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.