When it comes to the best of the best – in regards to plantation shutters, oak shutters are hard to beat.

Typically, quality plantation shutters are manufactured using two types of wood:  Basswood and American Poplar.  The poplar is typically used for a paint finish.  Basswood is reserved for stain finishes.

That doesn’t mean that is your only route.  Other popular woods used are alder wood, for it’s red finish, as well as oak and cherry – for their obvious respective finishes.

Solid Oak Shutters

Of course when you start dabbling into more expensive hardwoods it is not so you can paint them.  Stain, usually highlighting the natural color of the wood, is the way to go.

The client above used a clear finish to perfectly match the oak trim.  This is the most common route when using these types of wood.

Keep in mind, however, there is a reason why plantation shutter lovers use the standards – which always revolve around cost and weight.

Oak, while gorgeous beyond belief, is extremely heavy and very expensive.  These two factors alone should make any potential buyer take a second look to ensure these more exotic hardwoods are, in fact, the direction you want to go.