Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses as well as environmental effects. VOCs have been proven to increase green house gases. Shutters are often referred to as "the ultimate window covering" but costly until the introduction of shutters made of lower cost laminate DuraShutter materials that many shutter fabricators are now offering as a lower cost alternative. Laminate materials are designed to overcome the disadvantages of wood, vinyl and Polywood shutters. Laminate shutters can be made into an excellent product that is indistinguishable from wood shutters. Unfortunately, vinyl and Polywood shutters are made with oil products and the drilling, transport, refining and storage of oil based products are a concern to many as their use increases our dependency on oil, and when painted, the use of VOC is also harmful to the environment. Shutters can provide a better insulation value than any other type of window covering. For certain applications such as outdoors, high humidity areas like saunas or poolrooms vinyl or Poly foam shutters are an excellent choice.A homes windows covering are now getting a lot more attention from the neighbors and home appraisers when shutters are installed. Many shutter fabricators are now, as flooring companies do, are offering Eco friendly lower cost laminate alternatives to wood. Most interior designers feel that shutters provide a finished look to a window and they are more durable than draperies, curtains or blinds. Like any wood product they are subject to warping over time and the paint can peal and crack over time. Its density gives it a better insulation value than wood and the Eco friendly laminate coating material provides better resistance to fading or yellowing than Polywood or vinyl. . Traditional shutter manufacturers use wood and then spray paint or stain them to just about any color you desire and they perform well under most conditions. Shutters also control the lighting and set mood for each room. Laminate DuraShutter material is a dense, solid engineered composite that is an Eco friendly recycled wood and paper product. In recent years a laminate DuraShutter material with snap-in non staple construction provides durability and low cost alternative advantages. By visiting the authors web site at Durashutter. The shutter category is the number one window covering product in recent years. Drive by any home with interior shutters across the front and you'll see why so many people swear by them. Surveys have shown that 7 out of 10 consumers prefer shutters over any other type of window covering, however only 2 out of 10 can afford them due to the high price. So once you've added indoor shutters, just stand back and admire them, both from within your home and from your curb. Since laminate DuraShutter is primarily made from recycled materials and the finish from Eco friendly laminates, it has a significantly lower impact on the environment. LED Canopy Light Manufacturers Vinyl and Poly foam shutters were developed as an alternative to wood shutters. Many American and foreign shutter fabricators now offer all three choices, Plastic/foams, Wood and Laminate materials. More than ever before, homes with shutters are recognized as substantially upgraded and thus shutters are the number one window covering all other products. Shutters offer superior insulative and control of light entering a room, varying from opening the shutters all the way for a full view to fully closed for an almost blackout control. The plastic coating used in these types of shutters can fade, change color or yellow over time with exposure to the sun. Since 10 times more heat can pass through a glass window than through wall adding a shutter to your window will lower your heating and air conditioning bills. Older style shutters LED Canopy Light Manufacturers with staples require replacement every few years and special cleaning and upkeep, synthetic vinyl and Polywood materials can withstand wet environments such as outdoor use and saunas. Unfortunately, some woods are imported and the harvesting of some trees causes harm to the environment. Shutters are proving to be a better window treatment, due to the fact they are the only window treatment to increase a homes value and are a major visual element additive on the inside and the outside of the home. Shutters in general are lower maintenance than most other types of window covering. Shutter offers many advantages over blinds and curtains. Shutters are commonly made from 3 different types of materials. In addition most shutters are painted using lacquer based primers and or finish paints that release VOCs into the atmosphere.