Aluminum vs. Vinyl, PVC, and Wood Shutters: A Material Showdown
When you invest in hurricane shutters, you are investing in the material science that stands between a Category 3 storm and your living room. The material your shutters are made from is the single most important factor in their ability to perform their life-saving function. At American Hurricane Shutters, we have made a conscious, deliberate choice to build our systems from a select group of superior materials: **extruded aluminum, impact-rated polycarbonate, and ballistic-grade fabric**.
You may see other shutters on the market made from vinyl, PVC, or wood. We don’t sell them, and this guide will explain why. We believe in providing our customers with products that offer uncompromising strength and longevity, especially in the harsh coastal environment of the Carolinas.
The Gold Standard: Why We Trust Aluminum
The vast majority of our rigid shutter systems, from our accordions and rolldowns to our decorative Bahamas and Colonials, are crafted from high-grade, extruded aluminum. It is, without question, the gold standard material for this application.
- Incredible Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Aluminum is extremely strong, allowing it to deflect impacts and resist wind load, but it is also lightweight. This makes for a shutter that is manageable to operate and doesn’t put excessive stress on your home’s structure.
- Natural Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum does not rust. When exposed to oxygen and moisture, it forms a hard, protective outer layer of aluminum oxide. This makes it the ideal material for our salty, humid coastal air.
- Durability and Longevity: An aluminum shutter, protected by a durable powder-coat finish, will last for decades with minimal maintenance. It will not warp, rot, or become brittle over time.
The Modern Marvels: Polycarbonate and Advanced Fabric
Alongside aluminum, we utilize two other high-performance materials for their unique and powerful properties.
Impact-Rated Polycarbonate (Cleartek)
Our Cleartek clear panels are made from polycarbonate, the same material used in bullet-resistant glass. It offers the same impact resistance as aluminum but with the added, game-changing benefit of being optically clear, allowing you to keep your home lit during a storm.
Ballistic-Grade Fabric (StormTex)
Our Alutech StormTex screens are made from a woven polypropylene fabric that is engineered to absorb and dissipate impacts. It is extremely lightweight, translucent, and incredibly effective, especially for large openings.
The Materials We AVOID and Why
Our decision not to carry shutters made from other common materials is based on years of experience and a commitment to your safety. Here’s why we avoid them:
Vinyl and PVC Shutters
- Brittleness: Vinyl and PVC become brittle over time due to UV exposure from the sun. In just a few years, they can lose their flexibility and are prone to cracking or shattering upon impact.
- Low Impact Resistance: Even when new, these materials do not have the inherent strength to stop a high-velocity projectile as required by building codes. A flying 2×4 would easily puncture a vinyl shutter.
- Warping: In the intense summer heat of the Carolinas, these materials can warp and deform, which can cause them to look unsightly and operate poorly.
The Bottom Line: Vinyl and PVC are suitable for decorative, non-protective shutters only. They should never be trusted for life-safety storm protection.
Wood and Plywood Shutters
- Susceptibility to Rot and Pests: Wood is an organic material. In our humid climate, it is highly susceptible to rot, mildew, and termites. A shutter that is strong today could be dangerously weak in just a few seasons.
- Heavy and Absorbent: Wood is extremely heavy, especially when it absorbs moisture from the rain. This makes the shutters difficult to operate and puts immense stress on the hinges and your home’s walls.
- High Maintenance: To prevent rot, wood shutters require constant scraping, sanding, and painting—a costly and time-consuming upkeep that aluminum shutters do not need.
- Inconsistent Strength: A sheet of plywood is not an engineered product. It can have hidden knots or weak spots that can fail under impact.
The Bottom Line: While aesthetically pleasing for some applications, wood is an unreliable and high-maintenance material for hurricane protection in our climate.
Invest in Materials Proven to Last
Your hurricane shutters are a long-term investment in your home’s safety. It’s critical that the material they are made from is up to the task, year after year. We have built our reputation on providing our customers with only the best, most durable, and most effective materials on the market.
Let us show you the superior quality of our aluminum, polycarbonate, and fabric systems. Call American Hurricane Shutters today at (910) 256-1288 or email the owner, Matthew Burns, at matt.burns@ahscarolinas.com for a free consultation.
