Not All Wood Is Wood

The shutter market is full of products labeled 'wood' that barely qualify. Pine shutters are cheap but rot quickly without aggressive chemical treatment. Poplar is light and easy to machine but has zero natural decay resistance. MDF — medium density fiberboard — isn't even real wood. It's sawdust and resin pressed into a board, and it swells like a sponge the moment moisture touches an unsealed edge. If you're going to put wood on the outside of your house, it needs to be a species that was built for it.

Why Western Red Cedar

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) has the highest natural decay resistance of any commercially available North American softwood. It contains natural preservative oils called thujaplicins that are toxic to fungi and insects. It has the lowest density of any commercial softwood, giving it exceptional dimensional stability — it swells and shrinks less than any comparable species. And it has a tight, straight grain that takes stain better and more evenly than oak, pine, or fir.

Cedar vs. The Alternatives

Pine: Needs pressure treatment (CCA or ACQ) to survive outdoors. The chemicals change the wood's color, smell, and texture. Treated pine also tends to warp and twist as it dries. Cedar doesn't need any of that. Composite: Looks like wood in a catalog photo but feels like plastic in your hand. It doesn't age, it degrades — fading, staining, and eventually cracking at the seams. Cedar ages beautifully, developing a silver patina if left unfinished or maintaining its original color with periodic staining.

The Cedar Republic Standard

We don't just use any cedar. We select boards from our own mill operation for straight grain and consistent color. Every board is kiln-dried to optimal moisture content before cutting. Every shutter is assembled with exterior-grade coated fasteners and waterproof adhesive. And every pre-stained order gets a six-sided finish with EXPERT Professional Wood Care stain — the same professional formula trusted by contractors across the country. This is what wood looks like when you take it seriously.