Luxsol launches Durawood100

“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,” said Megan Wu, Director of Luxsol.

“Whilst putting PVC shutters on windows does provide insulation, PVC does not outperform timber. 

“We attended the recent R+T show in Shanghai. What was really notable 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.”

Cassie Yang, another Luxsol Director, said, “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 Durawood100

Yang says 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 bio degradable. It is constructed using reverse grain engineering to provide the best yield and lowest waste, without compromising look, strength and quality.”

Yang says the timber is a sustainable sourced 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, Yang says timber remains 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.”

www.luxsol.com.au