When shopping for plantation shutters, you will no doubt be offered a PVC product as the ultimate solution. Recycling PVC is problematic at best so the majority of the products made from PVC are designated to landfill.Īs the PVC breaks down, harmful chemicals such as mercury, lead, chlorine and phthalates, are released into the environment and as a result, can leak into groundwater, local streams, soil and eventually can lead into our drinking water. PVC has also been known to trigger reactions to people with asthma or people who are sensitive to certain chemicals.Īnother major problem associated with products made from PVC presents at the end of the products’ lifespan. Over time PVC releases extremely hazardous and carcinogenic Dioxins which can affect the health of humans. PVC has been used for decades in all types of products from children’s toys, to clothing, to a wide range of building products and materials.īut simply put, PVC is a toxic compound that is considered a pollutant to humans, animals and the environment. Now let’s take a look at the third thing to know when considering buying PVC: It is wise to thoroughly check the terms and conditions when buying PVC shutters, and pay close attention to the wording. Paint peeling and total delamination is a common problem of products made from PVC that are out in the elements. This is why you will generally see a standard ‘structural’ warranty period and then a limited warranty period on the paint. ![]() PVC is an oil based chemical compound which makes it a very difficult surface for paint to adhere to. If you are located in Sydney or Melbourne you may get 5-10 years out of PVC shutters but unfortunately for residents here in Brisbane, and other parts of South East QLD, we are in one of the worst UV pockets in the world.įor Brisbane residents, and especially those with windows facing west, PVC shutters exposed to UV and sunlight will start to break down within only 5 years.Īnother little-known fact is that PVC shutters are up to three times heavier than the traditional timber range, and once PVC begins to lose its strength from UV exposure, the shutters start to warp and ‘drop’ from the weight and need to be replaced. UV also makes plastic become brittle over time. Prolonged exposure to UV will turn your nice, bright-white shutters, into a yellowy, blue colour in just a few years. With our harsh Australian climate the number 1 problem we see with PVC shutters is their poor longevity when exposed to the elements.īeing a plastic, PVC is highly susceptible to UV. With the chemical makeup of PVC, there are three major concerns to think about when considering these types of shutters. PVC, short for Polyvinyl Chloride, is a synthetic plastic polymer made from petroleum. Let’s take a look at the three of the most common materials used for plantation shutters and things you need to know before making your buying decision: Unfortunately, we see this all too often here in Brisbane. So when choosing new window shutters for your home, or any type of window blinds, it is imperative to know which type of material will hold up best in the environment in which you live.īuying plantation shutters for your entire home can be costly, so the last thing you would want to do is have to replace them within 5 years due to material breakdown. Scorching sun, moisture and humidity, extreme UV exposure, huge swings of heat and cold, cyclones, hail and the list goes on. This is especially important if you live on that big island in the south pacific. Because the pocket screw heads are small, I also used some fender washers.If you are considering whether to buy PVC, timber, or aluminium plantation shutters there are a few things you should be aware of before making your buying decision. Finally, the pocket hole screws are long because of the nature of pocket holes so it is easy to find them in lengths to fit any thickness of shutter and have enough left over for the anchor holes. ![]() Pocket hole screws have square heads so you can get torque to drive them in without pushing so hard that you almost tip the ladder off the wall. You can even improvise and use a sliver of wood or old shutter anchor as a shim, in the event you find a hole where the previous anchor has pulled all the way out. They have thin shafts and wide thread pitch in order to keep wood from splitting and this accommodates a wide range of play between the existing hole and remainder of the previous plastic anchor. These are self-tapping screws with sharp points and intended to bite into wood and pull themselves in. What I eventually found is pocket hole screws.
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