You’ve decided to get plantation shutters installed in your home. Their clean, crisp appearance makes any room in the house look special, but did you know that those brand new shutters are made out of poplar wood? Why exactly is poplar a go-to choice for plantation shutter manufacturing? Well, the truth is, poplar wood is kind of a big deal…
Poplar Wood-- Where Does It Come From?
The plantation shutters that you have on your windows actually used to be part of yellow poplar trees, which grow taller than any other hardwood in the U.S., reaching heights of up to 150 ft! Poplar trees are widely seen in the Eastern United States, growing from Southern Mississippi through the Appalachian Mountains. More northern trees are known to grow, but at a slower and more unstable rate.
The trees’ sapwood is a creamy white and can be streaked with the heartwood, which can be pale yellow to olive green, making this tree naturally a favorable color to work with.
What’s So Great About Poplar?
This versatile wood is super easy to work with. It’s easy to machine, glue, plane and mill. It’s easy to dry and doesn’t split easily when nailed. It also holds paint and enamel extremely well, making it a top choice for plantation shutter manufacturers worldwide.
Poplar wood is a medium density wood with low shock resistance, bending, and stiffness values with impeccable strength and stability.
Why Is It Used For Plantation Shutters?
Due to the high demand for plantation shutters, poplar is an excellent choice, since it is abundantly available and it’s less costly than other types of hardwoods. It’s extremely easy to work with and the trees themselves are rarely attacked by parasites, maintaining the quality of the wood.
Poplar plantation shutters hold their worth. They are unlikely to crack, warp, or lose their staples. The wood is durable with a tight grain, but due to their potential olive green hue, they’re best suitable for paint, not for custom stain. That’s where basswood comes into play (more on that next time).
Other Uses for Poplar Wood
Plantation shutters aren’t the only things that are made out of poplar wood. Kitchen cabinets, furniture, paneling, exterior trim and siding, even musical instruments are composed of poplar wood.
Fun Facts About Poplar
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The bark, roots, leaves, and flowers contain pharmaceuticals.
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Poplar is the state tree of Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana
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Yellow poplar trees are among the tallest growing U.S. hardwood tree.
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Poplar is part of the magnolia family.
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Poplar is one of the most abundantly available hardwoods, used for light construction and other home improvement projects.
In Conclusion
Poplar is a versatile wood, used for just about any light construction work you can think of! It’s important that your plantation shutters are made out of a quality product that will hold up over time. After all, installing shutters in your home is an investment and will increase the value of your home. Make sure that it’s done right.
