Good Faux Wood Shutters vs Inferior Faux Wood Shutters in Dover

There are many faux wood shutters available, but is there a difference between quality faux wood shutters, like our Polywood® shutters, that will hold up over decades and faux wood shutters that start to crack or chip in within a few years?

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

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

All new window treatments seem pretty when first hung.  However, shutters that are made with inferior materials such as paltry composites, vinyl-wrapped particleboards, or porous louvers may bow, crack, splinter, or yellow.  You definitely don’t want cheap faux wood shutters in heavily used rooms or in climates that have variable heat, cold, or humidity.  

Quality faux wood, like Polywood, is made from solid compounds that is made so it won’t disfigure, yellow or degrade.  Its synthetic structure allows shutters to withstand bowing, splintering, cracking, and chipping, especially in humid or varying-temperature areas.  Checking the warranty usually is the easiest way to tell the quality of a faux wood shutter.  Companies that give a lifetime guarantee have faith in their shutters because they only use the most durable materials.

Quality faux wood wipes down easily

Easy dusting is pretty much the same for most faux wood window treatments.  However, in-depth cleaning comes with different problems. Vinyl and other substandard materials will absorb some liquid when cleaned with a damp rag.  Substandard faux wood shutters also have coatings that can trap dust and grime so that they are almost impossible to keep clean.

Manufacturers that produce quality shutters know that faux wood should be easy to clean.  For example, Polywood has a finish that is easy to wipe down quickly, and then your shutters appear spotless.  Good faux wood should be completely water resistant, so no matter what gets on the shutter, it should come off with a damp rag or multi-purpose dusting spray.

Quality faux wood is energy efficient

When you lower your high-quality faux wood shutters, you should notice a quantifiable change in air flow and heat transfer.  The thick louvers and compressed materials will help stop UV rays that increases the temperature and drafts that can make a room chilly.  The top faux wood plantation shutters, like Polywood shutters, will even go further to bolster their energy efficiency by adding in UV inhibitors and weather stripping.

Plantation shutters crafted with a low quality composite doesn’t offer the same energy efficiency benefits.  Shutters with shoddy composites or hollow louvers will still let the outside air flow in freely. Over time, substandard shutters can begin to warp and permanently separate the louvers.  To see if you are using a shoddy faux wood is to look at its R-rating. The larger the number, the better the shutter is at energy efficiency.

Contact your Dover shutters rep and pick the window treatment for you

Choosing a high-caliber faux wood plantation shutter can sometimes seem like a struggle.  Good thing our Sunburst representatives will show you all our faux wood lines, so you can select the right quality faux wood shutter for your rooms.  To book a complimentary in-home consultation, call 301-835-1611 today.