WINDOW SHUTTERS FOR THE NEW ZEALAND ENVIRONMENT

THE TYPE OF WOOD SELECTED FOR MAKING LOUVER SHUTTERS IS CRITICAL TO THEIR LASTING FUNCTION AND BEAUTY.

LOUVER SHUTTERS SUFFER QUITE EXTREME CONDITIONS. IN SUMMER, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO INTENSE SUNLIGHT ON ONE SIDE ONLY AND IN WINTER, VERY HIGH HUMIDITY.

THEY CAN ALSO RECEIVE A LOT OF HARD PHYSICAL STRESS AND WEAR.

CEDAR IS PROBABLY THE MOST NATURALLY DURABLE TIMBER THAT IS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE. ON THE OTHER HAND IT IS VERY SOFT AND EASILY DAMAGED. IT IS CLASSIFIED AS AN ANCIENT RAINFOREST AND FOR MANY YEARS, GREENPEACE HAS BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST ITS COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION. 

PROVIDED IT IS PROPERLY TREATED FOR FUNGAL AND BORER RESISTANCE TO A MINIMUM H1.2 AND KILN DRIED, PINE IS ACCEPTABLE ALTHOUGH SLIGHTLY SOFT AND THEREFORE VULNERABLE TO PHYSICAL DAMAGE. IT READILY ACCEPTS A BLONDED FINISH AND IS A COMPLETELY SUSTAINABLE NEW ZEALAND RESOURCE.

MACROCARPA SERVES EXTREMELY WELL FOR LOUVER MAKING. ALTHOUGH TECHNICALLY A SOFTWOOD, IT IS VERY DURABLE, QUITE HARD WEARING AND IS A GREENPEACE CERTIFIED ECO-TIMBER. FOR THESE REASONS, IT IS OUR CHOSEN MATERIAL.