Lacquer Vs Water-Based Paint

Prior to 2001, shutter manufacturers painted with Lacquer or Acrylic, rather than Water-Based Paint. The paints have the following characteristics and advantages:

Characteristic/Paint with this advantage	Water-based	Lacquer/Acrylic
Hardness (won't chip)
Strength (won't crack)
UV Resistance (won't fade or yellow)
Water-Resistance (won't bubble)
Fill Rate (smooth finish)
Color Retention
Less Runny (even finish)
Even Coverage (fewer bare spots, less bleed-thru)
Higher Percentage of Paint Solids (consistent color)
Lower VOC emissions (less polluting)

Since 2001, the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has greatly decreased the allowable VOCs (pollutants) generated by painting shutters. In response, shutter manufacturers have switched to Water-Based paints with fewer VOCs. As outlined above, Water-Based paint is better for our environment, but not nearly as good for your shutters.

Elizabeth Shutters has taken a different path. Elizabeth Shutters has invested over $500,000 in pollution-control equipment to reduce paint emissions 98.7%. As a result, Elizabeth Shutters' Lacquer and Acrylic paints are safer for the environment than water-based paint. Elizabeth Shutters is fully in compliance with the AQMD and one of several California companies, including IBM, Motorola, Mercedes Benz and General Motors to invest in this vital technology. According to the equipment manufacturer (Munters Corporation), Elizabeth Shutters is the only shutter company in the world to make this investment. Elizabeth Shutters is the only major shutter company in Southern California legally painting with lacquer and acrylic.