Hardwood & Polycomposite Shutter Range
Two materials to choose from. Both are the same price, the same quality level, and have a premium painted finish. Polycomposite adds waterproof reinforced construction and better thermal and noise insulation.
Both come Express (UK-made, usually ready in 2 to 3 weeks) or Plan & Save (made overseas to the same spec, around 8 to 9 weeks, up to 25% less). Below: each material explained, compared attribute by attribute, with the full FAQ.
Shutter Range
Choose the right shutter material
Both ranges use a premium painted finish and the same price point. The difference is practical: waterproof reinforced Polycomposite, or real basswood Hardwood.
How we help you choose
Both materials are the same price and same quality level. The choice is practical: Polycomposite adds waterproofing, reinforcement, and better insulation; Hardwood adds real timber character.
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
The choice is practical, not price-led
Most material comparisons make this sound like a budget choice. It is not. We recommend the material by room conditions, insulation needs, moisture exposure, and whether real timber character matters to you.
Same price, same finish
Hardwood and Polycomposite are priced the same and both have a premium painted finish. The choice is about room conditions, not about one material being the budget option.
Polycomposite is the practical premium choice
Choose Polycomposite for waterproofing, reinforcement, easier maintenance, and better thermal and noise insulation. It is the strongest recommendation for bathrooms, kitchens, conservatories, colder rooms, and busy family spaces.
Hardwood is for real timber character
Choose Hardwood when real basswood character is the priority and the room is dry. It is a good option for selected living rooms, bedrooms, studies, and period rooms where timber feel 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 Premium basswood | Polycomposite Waterproof composite |
|---|---|---|
| Core material | High-grade basswood timber | Reinforced composite with insulating core |
| Manufacturer guarantee | 5 years (defects only) | 10 years (defects only) |
| Waterproof rating | Not suitable for wet rooms | Waterproof, suitable for wet rooms |
| Finish | Premium painted finish | Premium painted finish |
| Reinforced core | Real basswood timber | Reinforced composite core |
| Thermal and noise insulation | Good fitted-shutter performance | Better thermal and noise insulation |
| 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 | All shutter styles | All shutter styles |
| Price per sqm | GBP313 Express, GBP240 Plan & Save | GBP313 Express, GBP240 Plan & Save |
| Best suited to | Dry rooms where real timber character is the priority | Any room, especially wet rooms, busy rooms, and insulation-sensitive spaces |
Core material
Hardwood
High-grade basswood timber
Polycomposite
Reinforced composite with insulating core
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
Premium painted finish
Polycomposite
Premium painted finish
Reinforced core
Hardwood
Real basswood timber
Polycomposite
Reinforced composite core
Thermal and noise insulation
Hardwood
Good fitted-shutter performance
Polycomposite
Better thermal and noise insulation
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
All shutter styles
Polycomposite
All shutter styles
Price per sqm
Hardwood
GBP313 Express, GBP240 Plan & Save
Polycomposite
GBP313 Express, GBP240 Plan & Save
Best suited to
Hardwood
Dry rooms where real timber character is the priority
Polycomposite
Any room, especially wet rooms, busy rooms, and insulation-sensitive spaces
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Contact Information
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info@shuttersdesign.co.ukAddress
20 Wittering CloseKingston upon ThamesKT2 5GAOpening Hours
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
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Inspiration
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Real shutters fitted in real homes. Victorian bay windows in Kingston, kitchen fronts in Twickenham, full-height living rooms in Richmond.
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 install plantation shutters across Surrey and South West London, measured and fitted by our own family-run team. The full list lives on the areas page; a dozen of our most-covered towns are below.
View all 50+ areasFAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Polycomposite is the more premium practical product: same price, same premium painted finish, waterproof, reinforced, and better for thermal and noise insulation. Hardwood is still a good choice when you specifically want real timber character in a dry room.
Yes. Both ranges have a premium painted finish and are the same quality level. Hardwood gives real timber character; Polycomposite gives the same premium finish with the added waterproof reinforced core.
Yes. Some customers choose Polycomposite throughout for the practical benefits. Others use Hardwood in specific dry rooms where real timber character is part of the brief. We coordinate the manufacturing schedule so everything arrives for one installation phase where possible.
Yes. Hardwood has the feel and subtle grain of real timber. Polycomposite has a premium painted finish with a reinforced waterproof core. The decision is not about price or quality; it is about timber character versus the added practical performance of Polycomposite.
A manufacturer guarantee against defects: 5 years on Hardwood, 10 years on Polycomposite. The written guarantee confirms what is covered for the material you choose. It does not cover misuse, accidental impact, wear from careless handling, or Hardwood used in wet rooms.
Yes. We bring physical colour samples to the survey so the decision happens in your actual light. Exact colour availability depends on the order specification, which we confirm before manufacture.
Recommended next
Choose where the material decision fits
If you are still comparing options, these pages are the most useful next step.