Vinyl shutters in Camden: vinyl or wood?

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

Camden's weather and homes

In Camden, July averages a high of 89.3°F and January a low of 27.8°F, about 40 days a year reach 90°F, 62 nights fall at or below freezing, and 50.9 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year. That's fewer hot days than 51% of the 881 US cities we have climate figures for.

81% of homes were built before 1980, and owners live in 34% of them.

Philadelphia, 5 miles away, has much the same number of days a year at 90°F or more (40).

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

Renting

66% 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?

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

How the choices compare in Camden
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 Camden 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