Wood shutters in Iowa City

What real wood offers over vinyl and composite in Iowa City's homes and weather, and how our made-to-measure poplar shutters fit in.
Level 1 (flat) moulding, paint stage 1, 3½-inch louvers, tilting open and closed.

Iowa City homes and weather, for wood

In Iowa City, July averages a high of 85.8°F and January a low of 14.6°F, about 19 days a year reach 90°F, 135 nights fall at or below freezing, and 35.7 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year.

45% of homes were built before 1980 and 31% in 2000 or later; 40% are detached houses.

In Cedar Rapids, 22 miles away, 59% of homes are built before 1980, 14 points more than here.

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, heated winters

With 135 freezing nights a year, homes here run the heat for months, and heated air is dry. Wood gives up a little moisture over the winter and takes it back in summer; paint slows that but doesn't stop it. A humidifier set to a moderate level keeps the movement small, and it's kinder to the rest of the house's woodwork too.

Why poplar

Newer, shallower windows

31% of homes are recent builds, where windows often sit close to the room side of the wall. Measure the depth to the glass and to any handle: it decides which louver size tilts freely.

Choosing a louver size

How the choices compare in Iowa City
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 Iowa City for you to fit. One wood, painted in any colour or stained, with nothing hollow inside.

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

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