Shutters Question

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Surely people don’t build shutters and then wait a few months to paint and install right

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That's exactly what I did

I didn't research it myself but a carpenter friend told me to wait so I did. Looked great in the end. I'm going to guess there are shortcuts or maybe you can use wood that's not pressure treated.

My exterior shutters are Spanish ceder primed and painted when installed. They are just cosmetic, screwed in place to brick facade. They look good at 20 years even the ones in full western sun.

They replaced untreated pine shutters which rotted at the bottom even though kept well painted.

The only wood you need to let dry before finish is treated pine. I used cypress for mine and I’ve been fairly happy with them, although they are expensive.

You can get kiln dried after treatment, KDAT. If you’re in Nola, you can swing by liberty lumber and check out what they have, there are some sample boards.

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You can get kiln dried after treatment, KDAT. If you’re in Nola, you can swing by liberty lumber and check out what they have, there are some sample boards.

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Pretty sure Gueydan Lumber on Central Ave. in Metairie, right off Airline Hwy. has kiln dried treated lumber in stock.

I gave up on building shutters out of cypress years ago. I built working shutters for a project in the French Quarter and some for a friend of mine in Matthews, La. and both times the cypress warped after being painted and hung being exposed to heat from the summer sun.

I will only use Spanish Cedar now if needing to build any unless I can find some very old, reclaimed cypress.

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Agreed. Spanish cedar substantially more. That should be noted to OP.

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Spanish Cedar is ridiculously priced now, as are most what are considered exotic hardwoods.

A quick trip to Riverside Lumber in N.O. East will confirm the above. They have a lot of exotic species of hardwoods in stock, but they come at a hefty price.