The trend over recent years is for retailers and salespeople to promote the lowest priced product. The thinking is that consumers want the cheapest quote, so PVC is presented along with claims of great thermal performance. Whilst putting PVC shutters on windows does provide insulation, PVC does not outperform timber. This is where Luxsol see a great opportunity with the release of Durawood100 being a 100% timber product.
What was really notable at the recent R&T show in Shanghai was European customers in particular were most interested to learn about timber shutters, with little interest in PVC. Luxsol feels the market has come full cycle. The shutter industry was founded on predominantly Cedar timber, then as imported shutters came to the fore the market moved towards Basswood, Poplar, MDF and Teak, amongst others. Over recent years there has been a notable shift to PVC.
Being aware of market changes and presenting a sustainable alternative is a focus for Luxsol. Of course, a business has to provide what customers want so Luxsol can still provide a PVC option with our imported or Australian Made Poly100AU shutter. We feel we also have a responsibility to provide leadership and a vision of the future sharing what we learned overseas”.
Introducing Luxsol’s most sustainable timber Shutter – Durawood100
Durawood100 is made from Paulownia timber, one of the fastest growing and highest strength to ratio timbers. Paulownia has become a viable alternative to other timber species and also provides an option to offer customers something different. Because the timber is much lighter than PVC or MDF, it offers wider panels and removes the potential issue of panels dropping when opened.
Paulownia is a timber that is now used in surfboard manufacture giving an indication of its lightness and water-resistant properties. The timber is also more insect resistant than other timbers. The advantage Durawood100 has over PVC is that timber is renewable, recyclable, waste efficient and biodegradable. Constructed using reverse grain engineering to provide the best yield and lowest waste, without compromising look, strength and quality.
The timber is a sustainable renewable resource and very energy efficient in its production. Timber provides benefits like; carbon being stored in the timber; better thermal and acoustic insulation than other materials; renewable; non-toxic; biodegradable; easy to clean and a natural material.
Despite many conflicting claims, timber is the most effective insulating shutter material. Paulownia is an ideal timber for plantation shutters. It is one of the best insulating timbers for thermal and acoustic efficiency, due to its less dense nature compared to PVC or other more dense hardwoods and composite materials.
Nexus50
Still need something for wet areas? Luxsol has developed an exclusive combination Poly100 frame and Durawood100 moisture resistant timber louvre, which saves weight, provides moisture resistance and works hand in hand with Durawood100.
Imagine being able to offer a sustainable alternative to PVC at a comparable price! Not only can retailers create a point of difference to offer customers better thermal and acoustic performance. Now retailers have a great option with Durawood100 and Nexus50 that allows them to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Importantly there is a story to tell about the benefit of including timber in the shutter solution they are providing.
Nexus50 has the benefit of reducing the weight of the product and minimising the risk of moisture ingress. For peace of mind and for the customer’s benefit Poly100 has been REACH tested and is shown to meet and exceed Australian standards for VOC emissions.
Many PVC products are over specified, which compromises the performance of the shutter due to the weight of PVC with panels dropping when opened.
If you would like to know which type of shutter is the right one for your customers, check out Luxsol’s shutter range or send a message here.
