The Best Custom Shutters, Blinds & Shades!
Proudly Serving Delaware & Eastern Maryland
Plantation shutters in a craftroom

Different Faux Wood Plantation Shutters In Dover

March 02, 2020

While you can find plenty of faux wood plantation shutters on the market in Dover, they don’t have the same quality.  While some faux wood coverings will last virtually forever without splitting, warping, or fading, other faux wood treatments will begin to wear down in just a few year’s time.

It may be tough to determine what’s best about the different faux wood plantation shutters.  But after you learn about the different types of faux wood, it will be easier to see which interior shutter will stand the test of time.

The following list looks at the different types of faux wood shutters in Dover and orders them from the least ideal to the most durable and stylish:

Vinyl Shutters:

Some window treatments that use vinyl present themselves as faux wood.  But make no mistake, vinyl should not be considered faux wood. Vinyl’s plastic look and shiny finish is tough to integrate into a decor style, unlike quality faux wood or real wood-based shutters.  Vinyl may be one of the most inexpensive plantation shutter products around, but that’s because they don’t last very long.

Vinyl is also affected by heat. It’s not uncommon to see vinyl window treatments melt or discolor due to sunlight exposure. Since these window treatments warp, discolor, and have poor insular traits, vinyl shutters do not grant much energy-efficiency to your home -- especially if the louvers are hollow.

Different Faux wood plantation shutters in Dover
  • Benefits:

    Cheapest of the non-wood plantation shutters.

  • Drawbacks:

    Looks plastic; frail materials; hollow louvers; minimal energy efficiency; will often warp, crack or fade.

Synthetic Wrapped Product:

A step up from vinyl shutters are wrapped plantation shutters.  These window treatments are comprised 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 look much more like a traditional wood plantation shutter than their hollow louvered alternatives.

However, synthetic wrapped shutters have many drawbacks. The pressed material under the outer layer can be extremely permeable, leaving the window treatment sensitive to humidity and moisture. It’s a common occurance to find a warped or cracked louver or discover that the synthetic wrapping has split or peeled away.  Also, wrapped shutters cannot be custom-fitted for non-standard shaped windows like arches or octagons.

  • Benefits:

    Thicker than vinyl shutters; can resemble real wood.

  • Drawbacks:

    Not preferable 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 specialty shapes.

Solid Extruded Faux Wood Shutters:

Plantation shutters made from solid extruded synthetic materials are more durable than any of the other faux wood plantation shutters.  As the synthetic material infuse themselves throughout the shutter, they have thick, solid louvers that are more resistant warping.  You will also discover that these treatments are more durable and will act much more like hardwood plantation shutters. Solid extruded faux wood shutters are also able to be custom-made to fit every window shape and size -- even arches.

But a solid extruded plantation shutter is only as good as its synthetic recipe.  Some mixtures create a fragile shutter, which can be cracked or chipped during installation. If the faux wood composite doesn’t include a UV inhibitor, then the shutter will fade and yellow over time. Some companies paint their louvers, which also leads to chipping and yellowing over time.

  • Benefits:

    More substantial shutter that compares favorably to a hardwood plantation shutter. 

  • Drawbacks:

    Quality depends on the mixture of the faux wood composite.

Polywood® Shutters Are The Best Composite Faux Wood Shutters

Different Faux wood plantation shutters in Dover

Polywood plantation shutters are constructed from an extremely durable extruded faux wood mixture that will never warp, chip, crack, or fade.  Its unique formula is like real wood, but with a material that withstands moisture. We add a UV inhibitor into the faux wood formula so that the entire shutter will always stay looking like new for decades to come.  They are even simple to clean -- just a duster for normal work, and a wet cloth for stubborn dirt.

Our Polywood shutters are also constructed to be one the most energy-efficient window treatments on the market.  In comparison, Polywood shutters are made to be 70% more energy-efficient than hardwood shutters, and 1600% more efficient than aluminum blinds. And we also include a lifetime warranty.  Those are benefits no other shutter company offers.

  • Benefits:

    Lifetime warranty against warping, cracking or yellowing; most energy-efficient window treatment on the market; looks nice in any style and decor.

  • Drawbacks:

    More expensive than ineffective vinyl plantation shutters -- but worth it!

Call Sunburst Shutters Delaware Today To Get Your Long-Lasting, Charming Polywood Shutters

When looking at the good and bad of the numerous faux wood plantation shutters, it's plain to determine that Polywood is the best option. Our Sunburst Shutters Delaware representatives will show you the perks of our Polywood plantation shutters, and how they can help any room in your house. To schedule a free in-home consultation, call 301-835-1611 or send in the form below today!