What are the pros and cons of PVC Plantation Shutters? Are they harmful or toxic?
When it comes to settling on a suitable material for your new plantation shutters, it can feel a little overwhelming. Not only is there so much choice available, but you can often find some conflicting information with various sources claiming one thing and others swearing by another.
In any case, if you are interested in learning more about the pros and cons of PVC plantation shutters, we’ll tell you everything you need to know right here…
Are PVC plantation shutters toxic or harmful?
A common question that people ask is whether PVC plantation shutters are toxic and potentially harmful. Let us put your mind at ease.
First of all, you must bear in mind that PVC is used for practically all rainwater pipe and rain collection equipment on the East Coast of Australia. If PVC was genuinely toxic and harmful to the environment, this is something that simply would not be allowed by the Australian government.
The reason why there is doubt and speculation surrounding the toxicity of PVC is that it does indeed have the potential to give off toxic gases when heated up. However, these gases are only released when PVC reaches a temperature of more than 180 degrees Celsius.
Considering the fact that humans cannot survive in temperatures of over 42 degrees Celsius for an extended period of time, it’s safe to assume that if your home is at 180 degrees, then you’ll have much bigger concerns than your PVC plantation shutters giving off some potentially toxic gases.
PVC plantation shutters
Furthermore, PVC shutters are hypoallergenic, meaning they do not give off any allergens that might trigger an allergic reaction to either you or your family.
Yes, there are VOCs (volatile organic compounds) present in cheaper products and paint (being polyurethane rather than water-based), but water-based products are far more stable and give off practically no VOCs in comparison.
In other words, if you are concerned about the potential toxicity of a PVC plantation shutter product, then you can do yourself the favour of investing in a superior quality product from a reputable supplier instead.
What are the pros of PVC plantation shutters?
So, now that we have established that PVC plantation shutters are not harmful or toxic, let’s take a look at some of the advantages they offer:
Attractive aesthetic appeal: while PVC shutters are not made from timber, they’re designed to resemble timber shutters in appearance.
Lightweight performance and durability: while PVC shutters are renowned for being lightweight, it doesn’t mean that they lack durability. In fact, PVC plantation shutters are reinforced with an aluminium core which helps give it that extra strength, thus preventing warping.
They’re budget-friendly: PVC plantation shutters are one of the cheapest material choices, particularly when compared to natural wood timber shutters. If you are on a budget or wish to add plantation shutters to your entire home without breaking the bank, this budget-friendly alternative is well worth a look.
Waterproof finish: additionally, they are waterproof which means that they won’t crack or peel over time and are perfectly suited to wet areas and rooms that are subject to high levels of moisture (e.g., the bathroom and kitchen). It also means that they are suitable to be used as outdoor shutters as well.
UV protection: you won’t have to worry about your PVC shutters fading in the sun after prolonged UV exposure. This is an ideal benefit as there are certain materials, such as timber, which are subject to fading quite fast unless treated properly.
Easy to clean and maintain: due to their waterproof nature, PVC plantation shutters are incredibly easy to keep clean and maintain. You can wipe them down with a wet cloth and dry them off without worrying about causing any unnecessary damage.
PVC plantation shutters
What are the cons of PVC plantation shutters?
Of course, PVC plantation shutters can’t be perfect. What are some of the cons that go with it?
Size limitations: as PVC shutters are heavier than timber, it means that they have size limitations, with restrictions of up to 880mm. As the majority of modern windows tend to be around 900mm wide, this means that you will need two panels in order to correctly fit them – which, understandably, is a deal breaker for some homeowners.
Difficult to repair scratches and dents: while the finish is indeed highly durable if you aren’t careful and for whatever reason, and your PVC shutters are scratched or dented, repairing the louvres is practically impossible and would need replacing.
They’re not to everyone’s taste: PVC shutters have a distinct plastic look, which may well look wonderful in the bathroom, but it may not be the perfect aesthetic for the rest of the house. Some people find this limiting and as such, would prefer to use a different material.
Conclusion – Are PVC plantation shutters worth it?
In conclusion, PVC plantation shutters have far more pros than cons. As with any material, there are drawbacks, but for the most part, you really cannot go wrong with a set of high-quality PVC plantation shutters for your home.
Even if you decide that you would not like to use them throughout your entire home, their waterproof nature and affordability do make them perfect for a bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room environment.
And remember, if you are troubled by the potential for VOCs or have heard horror stories about the potentially harmful and toxic chemicals that come from PVC, if you go for the highest possible quality product and avoid temperatures of up to 180 degrees Celsius, you will be perfectly safe having them installed in your home.
We hope that you have found this article helpful and that you now have a better understanding of how PVC shutters differentiate from other products.
If you’d like to know more, or if perhaps you have any questions for us, please do not hesitate to contact us today. One of our friendly representatives will gladly assist you.