Hardwood vs MDF shutters: an honest comparison
Two quotes, two very different prices, and photos that look identical. Here is what is actually different, and how to tell which one you are being offered.
The short answer
Why the cheaper quote is cheaper
Many of the lower shutter quotes you will see in Essex are for MDF or faux wood. Painted, they can look much the same as hardwood on the day they are fitted. The difference shows over years of opening and closing: MDF and faux wood are heavier, so hinges work harder, and over time wide panels can bow and pale finishes can discolour in strong sun.
We fit solid hardwood only, in Basswood, Ashwood or Paulownia. That is a choice, not a limitation, so we would rather explain it plainly than hide it in small print.
Side by side
Hardwood, MDF and faux wood
| Solid hardwood | MDF or faux wood | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Solid timber: Basswood, Ashwood or Paulownia | MDF is an engineered board; faux wood is usually PVC or a composite |
| Weight | Lighter, so tall panels open easily | Heavier, so hinges work harder |
| Wide bays and tall windows | Less weight on the hinges across wide panels | Wide panels can bow over the years |
| Finish | Painted, or stained so the grain shows | Painted or a printed finish, not a true stain; pale finishes can discolour in strong sun |
| Price | Usually the higher quote | Often quoted lower |
General differences between the materials, not a test of any particular product. Ask any installer to name the material for each part.
Ashwood, close to the grain
The three hardwoods
Basswood, Ashwood or Paulownia
Painted shutters are the familiar choice, in soft whites and warm greys, and the paint is a finish on the timber, not a sign of MDF. If you would rather see the wood itself, stained Ashwood sits kindly beside oak floors and old beams. See every style on the shutter styles page.
Comparing quotes
How to read a shutter quote
- Ask for the material of each part: panels, louvres and frame, named separately.
- Ask about wide windows: for a bay or a wide window, ask how the panels are split and whether extra frames or trims are in the price.
- Ask about the finish: painted or stained, and whether a stain is possible at all.
- Compare like with like: a hardwood quote and an MDF quote are not the same product, even if the photos match.
Rooms with steam? Hardwood suits most bathrooms where steam clears through a fan or an opened window: see shutters by room. For what happens at the survey, see how it works.
Are hardwood shutters better than MDF?
For most Essex homes, yes. MDF and faux wood shutters are often quoted lower, but they are heavier, so hinges work harder, and over the years wide panels can bow and pale finishes can discolour in strong sun. Solid hardwood is lighter, which matters most on tall windows and wide bays.
Do you make MDF or faux wood shutters?
No. Every shutter we fit is solid hardwood, in Basswood, Ashwood or Paulownia, and never MDF, faux wood or PVC, whether it is painted or stained.
How can I tell if a shutter quote is for MDF?
Ask each quote to name the material for the panels, the louvres and the frame, separately. Painted shutters all look alike in a brochure, so it is worth asking about each part separately.
Which hardwood should I choose?
Basswood is light and fine grained, the favourite for painted finishes. Ashwood is strong, with a grain you can see and feel, and is the one to choose if you want a stain. Paulownia is remarkably light, so tall windows and wide bays still open with a fingertip. You hold all three at your free survey.
Can hardwood shutters go in a bathroom?
Yes, in most bathrooms. Solid hardwood with a painted or stained finish suits a bathroom where steam clears through an extractor fan or an opened window. If water sits on the window for long periods, mention it at your survey.
Are painted shutters MDF?
Not here. The paint is a finish on the timber, not a sign of MDF or faux wood. Basswood is the usual choice under paint because its fine grain gives a smooth finish.
Ready when you are
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See solid hardwood shutters in your own light, with honest advice and a written quote. No pressure, and nothing to pay for the visit.
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Tell us a little about your windows. A specialist will arrange a visit, bring real hardwood samples to your home and leave you a written quote to consider in your own time.