Quality Faux Wood Shutters vs Inferior Faux Wood Shutters in Tampa

There are a lot of faux wood shutters out there, but is there a difference between good faux wood shutters, like our Polywood® shutters, that will hold up over years and faux wood shutters that look ratty over time?

The trick is to examine the faux wood shutter’s craftsmanship and technicalities such as its durability, finish, and energy efficiency potential.

Quality faux wood won’t splinter, crack, chip or warp

Any type of faux wood shutters appear great when first put up.  However, shutters that are made with lower-quality materials such as cheap composites, vinyl-wrapped particleboards, or porous louvers will warp, snap, splinter, or yellow.  This is definitely true in heavily used rooms or in areas that have high heat, cold, or moisture.  

Well-made faux wood, like Polywood, is created from solid compounds that is made so it won’t disfigure, discolor or break.  The solid louvers allows shutters to prevent bowing, splintering, cracking, and chipping, even in high-moisture or varying-temperature rooms.  And while it’s hard to know if a faux wood is durable on the surface, you can always check the warranty.  Businesses that offer a lifetime guarantee stand behind their products because they only use the most durable materials.

Quality faux wood doesn’t stain

Everyday maintenance is pretty much the same process for every faux wood plantation shutters.  However, detailed cleaning will pose another set of problems. Vinyl and comparable materials will absorb some moisture when scrubbed with a damp rag.  Substandard faux wood shutters have finishes that can trap dust and grime so that they are almost impossible to keep clean.

Manufacturers that make quality plantation shutters make sure that faux wood should be simple to wipe down.  For example, Polywood has a coating that is a cinch to wipe down quickly, so that your shutters look just as nice as they did on day one.  Quality faux wood should be completely water resistant, so if anything gets on the shutter, it should come off with a little water or liquid cleaner.

High quality faux wood is energy efficient

When you shut your high-quality faux wood shutters, you should feel a remarkable change in air flow and heat loss.  The non-hollow louvers and dense materials will help close out UV rays that makes the room toasty and air transfer that can cool down the space.  The best faux wood window treatments, like Polywood shutters, will even go further to bolster their energy efficiency through UV inhibitors and weather stripping.

Shutters crafted with an inferior composite doesn’t offer the same energy benefits.  Those using cheap materials or hollow louvers will still let the outside air flow in freely. Over time, low quality shutters can begin to sag and permanently separate the louvers.  The key to seeing if you bought a cheaper faux wood is by its R-rating. The larger the number, the better the shutter is at energy efficiency.

Contact your Tampa representative and choose a quality faux wood treatment

Finding a quality faux wood shutter can sometimes feel like a struggle.  Luckily, our Sunburst representatives will be happy to show you all our faux wood lines, so you can select the right plantation shutter for your rooms.  To schedule a free in-home consultation, call 813-580-7288 today.