Good Faux Wood Shutters vs Other Faux Wood Shutters in Austin

There are many faux wood plantation shutters on the market, but how do you tell the difference between good faux wood shutters, like our Polywood® shutters, that will last for decades and faux wood shutters that seem to break in just a short amount of time?

You need to look at the faux wood shutter’s craftsmanship and technicalities such as its durability, finish, and energy efficiency potential.

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

All new window treatments seem great when first installed.  But over time, shutters that are crafted with shoddy materials such as cheap composites, vinyl-wrapped particleboards, or flimsy louvers may bow, chip, splinter, or yellow.  Low-quality shutters definitely won’t hold up in heavily used rooms or in spaces that have high heat, cold, or dampness.  

High-quality faux wood, like Polywood, is created from extruded compounds that is made so it won’t disfigure, yellow or degrade.  The solid louvers allows shutters to prevent bowing, splintering, cracking, and chipping, even in high-humidity or varying-temperature areas.  And while it’s hard to know if a faux wood is durable on first glance, you can always check the warranty.  Businesses that show a lifetime guarantee will back their shutters because they only use the highest quality of materials.

Good faux wood wipes down easily

Dusting is similar for most faux wood shutters.  However, in-depth cleaning has different troubles. Vinyl and comparable materials will soak up some of the water when cleaned with a wet rag.  Other faux wood shutters have finishes that can trap dirt and stains so that they are more difficult to clean.

Companies that produce quality shutters know that faux wood should be easy to clean.  For example, Polywood has a coating that is simple to wipe down quickly, so that your shutters seem just as new as they did when they were installed.  Quality faux wood is also completely moisture resistant, so if anything gets on the shutter, it can come clean with a damp rag or liquid cleaner.

High quality faux wood is energy efficient

When you lower your quality faux wood shutters, you should experience a remarkable difference in air flow and heat loss.  The non-hollow louvers and dense materials will help close out sunlight that heats up a room and heat loss that can freeze you out.  The best faux wood plantation shutters, like Polywood shutters, will even go further in ensuring energy efficiency through UV inhibitors and weather stripping.

Plantation shutters made with a low quality material doesn’t offer similar energy efficiency benefits.  Shutters with second-rate materials or hollow louvers will still allow drafts through. Over time, substandard shutters can begin to sag and make gaps between the louvers.  The key to seeing if you are using a subpar faux wood is by finding its R-rating. The larger the number, the better the shutter blocks UV rays.

Call a Austin shutters rep and pick a quality faux wood treatment

Picking a high-caliber faux wood shutter can sometimes seem like a struggle.  Luckily, our Sunburst representatives will show you all our faux wood options, so you can pick the right plantation shutter for your space.  To schedule a no-cost in-home consultation, call 512-549-6077 today.