Hardwood and Polycomposite Plantation Shutters
Two made-to-measure materials: waterproof Polycomposite for wet rooms, and real-timber Hardwood for dry rooms.
Shutter Range
Choose the right shutter material
Polycomposite is waterproof for wet and humid rooms. Metal insertions inside its louvres and frame provide better thermal and noise insulation than Hardwood. Hardwood is real basswood for dry rooms and can suit larger panels because the timber is lighter.
How we help you choose
Start with the room conditions. Use Polycomposite where steam, splashes or regular condensation matter. Consider Hardwood where the room stays dry.
During the consultation we talk through louvre size, painted finish, and which material is most practical for the way the room is actually used.
If both ranges could work, we explain the trade-offs clearly so the final choice is based on finish, feel, and practicality rather than guesswork.
Material decision
Which shutter material suits your room?
Start with moisture and panel size, then compare price and finish. Polycomposite is waterproof. Hardwood is lighter basswood for dry rooms.
Different materials and Express prices
On Express, Polycomposite is £315/sqm and Hardwood is £380/sqm. On Plan & Save, both materials are £260/sqm. All three rates include VAT, the home survey, supply and fitting.
Polycomposite is the practical choice for humid rooms
Choose waterproof Polycomposite for bathrooms, kitchens, humid conservatories and other rooms with regular steam, splashes or condensation.
Hardwood suits larger panels in dry rooms
Basswood is lighter, which can make Hardwood a good option for larger shutter panels in dry living rooms and dry conservatories. It also suits bedrooms, studies, and period rooms where real timber character matters most.
Side-by-side comparison
Hardwood vs Polycomposite, attribute by attribute
The same specification details we walk through at every survey. Use it to shortlist before the home visit, or as a reference when you are deciding room by room.
| Attribute | Hardwood Real basswood | Polycomposite Waterproof composite |
|---|---|---|
| Core material | Real basswood timber | Waterproof composite with metal insertions |
| Manufacturer guarantee | 5 years (defects only) | 10 years (defects only) |
| Waterproof rating | Not suitable for wet rooms | Waterproof, suitable for wet rooms |
| Finish | Painted finish over real timber | Painted composite finish |
| Internal construction | Real basswood timber | Metal insertions inside louvres and frame |
| Thermal and noise insulation | Some thermal and noise insulation when closed | Better insulation from metal insertions inside the louvres and frame |
| Louvre sizes | 47 mm, 63 mm, 76 mm, 89 mm | 63 mm, 76 mm, 89 mm |
| Tilt system | Hidden tilt or bar tilt | Hidden tilt or bar tilt |
| Styles available | Full height, tier on tier, cafe, bifold and tracked; shaped and solid-panel combinations confirmed at survey | Full height, tier on tier, cafe, bifold and tracked; shaped and solid-panel combinations confirmed at survey |
| Price per sqm, including VAT | £380 Express, £260 Plan & Save | £315 Express, £260 Plan & Save |
| Best suited to | Dry rooms, including larger panels in living rooms and dry conservatories where lighter basswood is useful | Bathrooms, kitchens, humid conservatories, and other wet or harder-working rooms |
Core material
Hardwood
Real basswood timber
Polycomposite
Waterproof composite with metal insertions
Manufacturer guarantee
Hardwood
5 years (defects only)
Polycomposite
10 years (defects only)
Waterproof rating
Hardwood
Not suitable for wet rooms
Polycomposite
Waterproof, suitable for wet rooms
Finish
Hardwood
Painted finish over real timber
Polycomposite
Painted composite finish
Internal construction
Hardwood
Real basswood timber
Polycomposite
Metal insertions inside louvres and frame
Thermal and noise insulation
Hardwood
Some thermal and noise insulation when closed
Polycomposite
Better insulation from metal insertions inside the louvres and frame
Louvre sizes
Hardwood
47 mm, 63 mm, 76 mm, 89 mm
Polycomposite
63 mm, 76 mm, 89 mm
Tilt system
Hardwood
Hidden tilt or bar tilt
Polycomposite
Hidden tilt or bar tilt
Styles available
Hardwood
Full height, tier on tier, cafe, bifold and tracked; shaped and solid-panel combinations confirmed at survey
Polycomposite
Full height, tier on tier, cafe, bifold and tracked; shaped and solid-panel combinations confirmed at survey
Price per sqm, including VAT
Hardwood
£380 Express, £260 Plan & Save
Polycomposite
£315 Express, £260 Plan & Save
Best suited to
Hardwood
Dry rooms, including larger panels in living rooms and dry conservatories where lighter basswood is useful
Polycomposite
Bathrooms, kitchens, humid conservatories, and other wet or harder-working rooms
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Inspiration
See real installations
See how fitted shutters change the room: cleaner lines, better privacy, and a more finished look around the window.
Full Height, Living Room
Richmond
Full height shutters fitted to a wide bay. Louvres set to diffuse afternoon light while keeping the room private from the street.
Service Areas
Areas We Cover
We measure and fit plantation shutters in the towns we cover. These are some of the locations listed on our full coverage page.
View all areasFAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Polycomposite provides better thermal and noise insulation because it has metal insertions inside the louvres and frame. It is also waterproof for wet or humid rooms. Hardwood is lighter real basswood for dry rooms and larger panels.
The materials look and feel different up close. Hardwood has the grain and character of real basswood. Polycomposite has a painted waterproof composite surface. Compare both samples in your room before choosing.
Yes. You can use waterproof Polycomposite in bathrooms, kitchens and humid rooms, then choose Hardwood in dry rooms where real timber character or lighter panels matter.
Yes. Hardwood is real basswood, so it has timber grain and a lighter panel. Polycomposite is waterproof and has metal insertions inside its louvres and frame. Choose according to the room conditions and the finish you prefer.
Hardwood has a 5-year manufacturer guarantee and Polycomposite has a 10-year manufacturer guarantee. The written guarantee supplied with your order confirms the exact cover and exclusions.
We bring physical colour samples to the survey so you can compare them in the room. The finishes available for the selected material and order route are confirmed before manufacture.
Recommended next
Choose where the material decision fits
If you are still comparing options, these pages are the most useful next step.