Mid-America vs. Ply Gem: Comparing Two Leading Exterior Shutter Brands
- Staff
- Aug 9
- 3 min read
When it comes to enhancing your home’s curb appeal, exterior shutters are one of the most impactful and affordable upgrades you can make. Two of the most popular shutter brands on the market are Mid-America and Ply Gem. While both offer a variety of styles, sizes, and colors, there are important differences in their history, product offerings, and—most notably—how they apply color to their shutters. Here’s what homeowners should know before choosing between the two.
A Brief History of Each Company
Mid-America
Mid-America is part of The Tapco Group, a company well-known for its innovative building products and exterior accessories. Since its founding in the late 1960s, Mid-America has specialized in decorative exterior components such as shutters, vents, and trim. They are recognized for providing a wide variety of low-maintenance vinyl shutter options designed for both professional installers and DIY homeowners.
Ply Gem
Ply Gem, now part of Cornerstone Building Brands, has a long-standing presence in the building materials industry. Founded in 1943, Ply Gem began as a manufacturer of aluminum products and eventually expanded into vinyl siding, windows, doors, stone veneer, and decorative accessories—including shutters. Today, they are one of the largest exterior building product manufacturers in North America.
Product Offerings
Mid-America Shutters
Mid-America offers shutters in a wide variety of styles, including:
Louvered
Raised Panel
Board & Batten (both joined and spaced)
Combination Styles (like louver over panel)
Key Features:
Made from durable polypropylene vinyl for weather resistance.
Available in many standard and custom sizes.
Wide color palette, plus paintable options.
Accessories such as shutter tops, arches, and keystones are also available for a more custom look.
Ply Gem Shutters
Ply Gem’s shutter line includes:
Louvered
Raised Panel
Board & Batten (joined and spaced)
Key Features:
Made from high-quality copolymer vinyl.
Multiple size and configuration options.
Color choices intended to coordinate with Ply Gem siding and trim products.
Paintable options available in select models.
How the Color Is Applied – The Big Difference
While both brands offer similar shutter styles, the way they apply color is where a key difference lies.
Mid-America: Their shutters are made with color-through technology—meaning the pigment is mixed throughout the vinyl before the shutter is molded. This makes scratches and chips far less noticeable because the color is consistent all the way through the material. If a shutter gets nicked or scraped, the underlying material will be the same color as the surface.
Ply Gem: While still made from durable vinyl, some Ply Gem shutters use a surface-applied color layer rather than fully color-through material. This can make scratches more visible—especially if the underlying vinyl is lighter or darker than the surface color. Homeowners have reported that tightening screws during installation or accidental abrasions can expose a different base color beneath the top layer.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Mid-America and Ply Gem offer attractive, low-maintenance vinyl shutters that can last for decades with proper care. Your choice may depend on:
Durability Needs: If your home is in an area where shutters may be bumped or scraped during landscaping or maintenance, Mid-America’s color-through construction may be the better choice.
Color Matching: If you’re also purchasing siding or trim from Ply Gem, their shutters may provide a closer factory color match.
Style Variety: Both brands offer similar style ranges, but Mid-America tends to have a slightly wider selection of specialty accessories.
Final Thoughts
Exterior shutters are more than just decorative—they’re part of your home’s overall style and curb appeal. Understanding the differences between top brands like Mid-America and Ply Gem helps ensure you choose a product that not only looks great on day one but continues to perform and maintain its appearance for years to come.
If you’re planning a shutter replacement or upgrade, working with an experienced contractor can help you choose the right brand, style, and installation method for your home.
If you live within our service area and want a free consultation about how to maximize your siding replacement project, give us a call at (877) 846-9566 or fill out the form below to get started. You can also schedule your free inspection or estimate online.
