Different Faux Wood Plantation Shutters In Houston

While you can find plenty of faux wood plantation shutters on the market in Houston, they don’t have the same quality.  While some faux wood window treatments will last forever without warping, cracking, or yellowing, other faux wood coverings will start to break down in just a short amount of time.

It might be hard to tell the different faux wood plantation shutters apart.  But after you learn about the different types of faux wood, it will be easier to tell which interior shutter will stand the test of time.

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

Vinyl Shutters:

Some plantation shutters that use vinyl show themselves as faux wood.  But don’t be deceived, vinyl is different from faux wood. Vinyl’s plastic look and slick veneer is hard to integrate into a decor style, unlike other faux wood or basswood shutters.  They may be one of the most inexpensive plantation shutter products on the market, but they also are the flimsiest of the non-wood coverings.

Vinyl is also damaged by heat. It’s not abnormal to see vinyl plantation shutters melt or yellow due to sunlight exposure. Since these covering warp, yellow, and have poor insular characteristic, vinyl shutters won’t give much energy-efficiency to your home -- especially if you have hollow louvers.

• Benefits:

  Cheapest of the non-wood plantation shutters.

• Drawbacks:

  Appears plastic; flimsy construction; hollow louvers; minimal energy efficiency; can quickly warp, crack or discolor.

Synthetic Wrapped Product:

A step up from vinyl shutters are wrapped plantation shutters.  These treatments are constructed from pressed wood, wood chip materials, or glued MDF, and then wrapped with a synthetic, vinyl, or plastic coating. The shutters have more weight and can appear much more like a normal wood plantation shutter than their less durable alternatives.

But, synthetic wrapped shutters have many drawbacks. The pressed grain under the outer layer can be extremely absorbent, leaving the shutter exposed to humidity and moisture. It’s not unusual to find a warped or splintered louver or learn that the vinyl wrapping has split or peeled away.  Also, wrapped shutters won’t be custom-fitted for non-standard shaped windows like arches or octagons.

• Benefits:

  Thicker than vinyl shutters; might resemble real wood.

• Drawbacks:

  Not preferable for high humidity or high moisture climates. Will absorb moisture and humidity. Aren't moisture resistant; synthetic wrap can chip away; warps or splinters easily; no specialty shapes.

Solid Extruded Faux Wood Shutters:

Plantation shutters made from solid extruded synthetic materials give you more durability than most of the alternative non-wood plantation shutters.  Because the synthetic fibers permeate throughout the product, they form durable, solid louvers that are more protected from warping.  You will also find that these treatments last longer on average and will function 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 semi-circles.

But a solid extruded window treatment is only as well-made as its faux wood recipe.  Some recipes create a fragile product, which can be cracked or chipped during installation. If the faux wood doesn’t include a UV inhibitor, then the shutter will fade and yellow when exposed to sunlight. Some manufacturers need to paint their products, which also invite chipping and yellowing over time.

• Benefits:

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

• Drawbacks:

  Quality depends on the mixture of the faux wood composite.

And Then There's Polywood® Plantation Shutters

Polywood plantation shutters are constructed from an very durable extruded faux wood compound that will never yellow, chip, or splinter.  Its patented formula gives it a feel like real wood, but with a density that withstands moisture. We add a UV inhibitor with the faux wood mixture so that the plantation shutter will always stay looking like new for decades to come.  They are even easy to clean -- only use a duster for routine work, and a damp rag for stubborn dirt.

Our Polywood shutters are also constructed to be the most energy-efficient window treatments available.  By comparison, Polywood shutters are made to be 70% more energy-efficient than regular wood, and 1600% more energy-efficient than aluminum blinds. And these Polywood shutters are paired with a lifetime warranty.  Those are combined features no other plantation shutter offers.

• Benefits:

  Lifetime warranty against cracking, fading, and warping; most energy-efficient window treatment around; looks nice in any style and decor.

• Drawbacks:

  Higher cost than hollow vinyl shutters -- but worth it!

Call Sunburst Shutters Houston Today To Get Your Long-Lasting, Beautiful Polywood Shutters

When comparing the pros and cons of the numerous faux wood plantation shutters, it's plain to determine that Polywood is the clear winner. Our Sunburst Shutters Houston reps will show you the advantages of our Polywood plantation shutters, and how they will enhance any window in the house. To book a free in-home consultation, call 713-853-9629 or complete the form below today!