Different Faux Wood Plantation Shutters In Austin

While there are plenty of faux wood plantation shutters available in Austin, they are not all the same.  While some faux wood window treatments will last virtually forever without chipping, warping, or fading, other faux wood treatments will begin to degrade in just a few year’s time.

It may be tough to understand the pros and cons of the different faux wood plantation shutters Austin.  But as you learn about the different kinds of faux wood, it will be easy to figure out which interior shutter is built to last.

The following list details the different varieties of faux wood shutters in Austin and rates them from the least ideal to the most durable and stylish:

Vinyl Shutters:

Some shutter products that use vinyl disguise themselves as faux wood.  But don’t be deceived, vinyl is not faux wood. Vinyl’s plastic look and slick coating can be difficult to integrate into a decor style, unlike other faux wood or real wood shutters.  Vinyl may be one of the cheapest plantation shutter products available, but you get what you pay for.

Vinyl is also easily affected by heat. It’s not unusual to see vinyl shutters melt or fade due to extensive exposure to the sun. Because of their tendency of warping or cracking and their poor insular nature, vinyl shutters do not give much energy-efficiency to your windows -- especially if the louvers are hollow.

• Benefits:

  Least expensive of the non-wood plantation shutters.

• Drawbacks:

  Looks like plastic; frail materials; hollow louvers; low energy efficiency; can quickly warp, splinter or yellow.

Synthetic Wrapped Product:

An improvement from vinyl shutters are synthetic plantation shutters.  These coverings are made of pressed wood, wood chip components, or glued MDF, and then bound with a synthetic, vinyl, or plastic coating. The plantation shutters feel more substantial and can appear much more like a real wood plantation shutter than their vinyl counterparts.

Unfortunately, synthetic wrapped shutters have many drawbacks. The pressed material under the wrapping can be extremely permeable, leaving the treatment to be vulnerable to humidity and moisture. It’s commonplace to find a warped or cracked louver or discover that the vinyl wrapping has chipped or peeled away.  Also, wrapped shutters won’t be custom-fitted for non-standard shaped windows like arches or circles.

• Benefits:

  Heavier than vinyl shutters; may resemble real wood.

• Drawbacks:

  Not great for high humidity or high moisture areas. Will absorb moisture and humidity. Aren't moisture resistant; outer layer can chip away; warps or splits easily; no custom shapes.

Solid Extruded Faux Wood Shutters:

Plantation shutters created from solid extruded synthetic materials are more durable than most of the other non-wood plantation shutters.  Because the synthetic fibers saturate the product, they create more substantial, solid louvers that are more resistant warping.  You will also discover that they last longer on average and will function much more like real wood shutters. Solid extruded faux wood shutters also can be custom-crafted to fit any window shape and size -- even arches.

But a solid extruded plantation shutter is only as good as its faux wood recipe.  Some formulas create a frail shutter, which can be cracked or chipped by nails or screws during installation. If the faux wood composite doesn’t have a UV inhibitor, then your window treatments will fade and yellow from the sun. Some manufacturers paint their products, which also invite chipping and yellowing over time.

• Benefits:

  More durable product that is most comparable to a hardwood plantation shutter. 

• Drawbacks:

  Quality depends on the formulation of the faux wood composite.

The Most Popular Composite Faux Wood Shutter Is A Polywood® Shutter

Polywood plantation shutters are comprised from an very durable extruded faux wood compound that will never warp, chip, crack, or fade.  Its proprietary formula gives it a feel like real wood, but with a material that resists moisture. We mix in a UV inhibitor into the faux wood composite so that the plantation shutter will still look like new for life.  They are even a snap to clean -- just a duster for normal work, and a damp rag for stubborn dirt.

Our Polywood shutters are also designed to be one the most energy-efficient window treatments available.  In comparison, Polywood shutters are shown to be 70% more energy-efficient than hardwood shutters, and 1600% more efficient than aluminum blinds. And we also offer a lifetime warranty.  Those are features no other shutter offers.

• Benefits:

  Lifetime warranty against warping, cracking or yellowing; most energy-efficient window covering around; looks great in any style and decor.

• Drawbacks:

  Higher cost than ineffective vinyl plantation shutters -- but worth it!

Contact Sunburst Shutters Austin Today To Get Long-Lasting, Elegant Polywood Plantation Shutters

When looking at the pros and cons of the numerous faux wood plantation shutters, it's easy to determine that Polywood is number one. Our Sunburst Shutters Austin representatives will be happy to show you the benefits of our Polywood shutters, and how they will work in any room in your house. To get a free in-home consultation, call 512-549-6077 or send in the form below today!