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Wood shutters in Albuquerque

What real wood offers over vinyl and composite in Albuquerque'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.

Albuquerque homes and weather, for wood

In Albuquerque, July averages a high of 94.9°F and December a low of 20.6°F, about 106 days a year reach 90°F, 124 nights fall at or below freezing, and 10.5 inches of precipitation falls in a typical year.

47% of homes were built before 1980 and 25% in 2000 or later; 62% are detached houses.

In Rio Rancho, 13 miles away, 13% of homes are built before 1980, 34 points fewer 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 124 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

Hot glass

106 days a year reach 90°F. Wood doesn't soften in heat. Plastic can: Hunter Douglas, which sells vinyl shutters, advises against its vinyl shutters in skylights, where it says they may warp.

Wood vs vinyl

Older, out-of-square openings

In a city where 47% of homes are decades old, openings are rarely perfectly square. Wood can be lightly sanded to fit at install; vinyl and most coated composites can't.

How to measure

Wood in Albuquerque's homes

47% of Albuquerque's homes were built before 1980, and the median home dates from 1982. Older and newer homes are mixed here, so check whether your trim is painted or stained before you choose.

The median home is valued at $291,500 by its owners. That is lower than in 70% of the 881 US cities we have figures for. In Rio Rancho, 13 miles away, the median is $310,200, higher than here.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates, 2020–2024; U.S. EIA, Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2020 (windows). Prices from our price list.

One 36 × 48 in window, paint stage 2$400 – $500

Flat moulding, 3½ in louvers, before tax and shipping.

Price your own windows
How the choices compare in Albuquerque
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 Albuquerque 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