Wood shutters in Waterloo

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

Waterloo homes and weather, for wood

In Waterloo, July averages a high of 26.6 °C and January a low of −10.3 °C, about 11 days a year reach 30 °C, 156 nights fall at or below 0 °C, and 851 mm of precipitation falls in a typical year.

33% of homes were built in 1980 or earlier and 33% in 2001 or later; 49% are detached houses.

In Kitchener, 9 km away, 49% of homes are built in 1980 or earlier, 16 points more than here.

Sources: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020. Daylight and sun height: calculated from the city’s latitude.

Dry, heated winters

With 156 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

11 days a year reach 30 °C. 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

Newer, shallower windows

33% 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 Waterloo
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 Waterloo 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 Canadian dollars.

Price your windows

Choose Canada in the designer, enter millimetres or inches, and we reply with your quote in Canadian dollars.

Design your shutters