Basswood is a fast-growing timber and is from the Tilia Americana group. It is lightweight, easily worked, and very stable. It is considered a hardwood when it comes to Plantation Shutters. Not only is basswood lightweight, but it is also one of the most stable and durable timbers available on the market today with fantastic natural thermal properties. Basswood is a natural product and can resist warping and heat from the strong Australian sun. At Complete Blinds, we highly recommend Basswood over cheaper PVC Plantation Shutters.