Shutter BoysVinyl shutters in Arlington: vinyl or wood?
Arlington's weather and homes
In Arlington, July averages a high of 89.6°F and January a low of 30.1°F, about 40 days a year reach 90°F, 60 nights fall at or below freezing, and 47.2 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.
53% of homes were built before 1980, and owners live in 41% of them.
Alexandria, 4 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.
Renting
59% 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.
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.
| 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 Arlington 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 Arlington
Vinyl shutters near Arlington
- Alexandria 4 mi
- Washington 5 mi
- Bethesda 7 mi
- Silver Spring 9 mi
- Wheaton 12 mi
- Reston 14 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.