Paulownia - the ecological and economical timber of choice

Paulownia is sourced from sustainable plantations and is a very fast growing tree which can be harvested every 7 or so years. It is able to regenerate from the existing roots which are left undamaged and this regrowth can occur many times. This makes it the most ecologically sound material to make shutters from, it is 100% FSC certified of course.

Paulownia Wood is a beautiful warp-resistant, fine-grained knot free wood, it is light in both weight and colour making it perfect for shutters and gives a wonderful, natural finish that will last for many years.

The Leighton Shutters made from Paulownia, are our Milan range shutters, they are ideal for all windows, including full height, café style, bi-fold doors and tier-on-tier.

Paulownia Low Thermal Conductivity

Paulownia has excellent insulation properties, it has a low thermal conductivity level that will keep out the winter cold as well as the summer heat, helping to maintain the temperature in your home while increasing your comfort levels.

Milan: The Shutter Range Made From Paulownia

The Milan range of Paulownia Shutters are lightweight, making them suitable for large windows as well as small. Because they are light, Milan places far less stress on the hinges, this means Paulownia shutters put less strain on the hinges with the shutters looking good for longer.

The linear grain of the Paulownia Wood Shutters has a uniform, premium finish and is ideal for painting. We offer Milan in a range of popular standard colours and can also match a specific colour for you at extra cost.

Paulownia: Ecologically impressive hardwood.

Often called the "Princess Tree" or "Empress Tree," Paulownia is a genus of deciduous trees native to East Asia that feels like a bit of a botanical contradiction. It is simultaneously celebrated as an environmental miracle worker, prized as a high-end timber, and feared as an aggressive, opportunistic invader.

To look at a mature Paulownia tomentosa, you are first struck by its sheer scale. In spring, before its leaves even appear, the tree erupts into massive, cloud-like clusters of pale violet, foxglove-shaped flowers that smell faintly of vanilla. When the flowers drop, they are replaced by velvety, heart-shaped leaves that can easily grow up to 40 cm across, casting deep, dramatic shade.