Different Faux Wood Plantation Shutters In Cleveland

While you can find plenty of faux wood plantation shutters available in Cleveland, they all won’t age the same.  While some faux wood window treatments will last forever without splitting, warping, or fading, other faux wood treatments will start to wear down in just a short amount of time.

It may be hard to determine what’s best about the different faux wood plantation shutters.  But once you know about the different kinds 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 kinds of faux wood shutters in Cleveland and rates them from the least durable to the most best:

Vinyl Shutters:

Some plantation shutters that use vinyl are disguised as a faux wood treatment.  But don’t be deceived, vinyl should not be considered faux wood. Vinyl’s plastic look and slick finish can be difficult to blend with a decor style, unlike other faux wood or real wood shutters.  These treatments may be one of the cheapest plantation shutter products around, but that’s because they are flimsy and ineffective.

Vinyl is also affected by heat. It’s not uncommon to see vinyl plantation shutters melt or yellow due to the sun’s rays. Because of their tendency of warping or splintering and their poor insular nature, vinyl shutters don’t give much energy-efficiency to your windows -- especially if the louvers are hollow.

• Benefits:

  Cheapest of the non-wood shutters.

• Drawbacks:

  Looks plastic; flimsy materials; hollow louvers; minimal energy efficiency; will often warp, chip or discolor.

Synthetic Wrapped Product:

An improvement from vinyl shutters are synthetic plantation shutters.  These treatments are comprised of pressed wood, wood chip components, or glued MDF, and then wrapped with a synthetic, vinyl, or plastic coating. The plantation shutters are heavier and can appear much more like a real wood plantation shutter than their hollow louvered counterparts.

Unfortunately, synthetic wrapped shutters have some problems. The pressed material under the outer layer can be extremely absorbent, leaving the window treatment exposed to humidity and moisture. It’s commonplace to see a warped or splintered louver or find that the synthetic wrapping has split or peeled away.  Also, wrapped shutters won’t be custom-fitted for odd shaped windows like arches or circles.

• Benefits:

  More substantial than vinyl shutters; can resemble real wood.

• Drawbacks:

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

Solid Extruded Faux Wood Shutters:

Plantation shutters created from solid extruded faux wood are more durable than most of the other non-wood plantation shutters.  Because the synthetic fibers infuse themselves throughout the shutter, they form durable, solid louvers that are more protected from warping.  You will also see that they are more durable and will act much more like basswood plantation shutters. Solid extruded faux wood shutters are also able to be custom-made to fit every window shape and size -- even ovals.

But a solid extruded window treatment is only as durable as its faux wood formula.  Some mixtures create a frail product, which can be broken by nails or screws during installation. If the faux wood doesn’t include a UV inhibitor, then the shutter will fade and yellow when exposed to sunlight. Some companies paint their louvers, which also leads to chipping and yellowing over time.

• Benefits:

  More durable treatment that is most comparable to a real-wood plantation shutter. 

• Drawbacks:

  Quality depends on the formulation of the faux wood composite.

And Then There's Polywood® Plantation Shutters

Polywood plantation shutters are constructed from an extremely durable extruded faux wood compound that will never yellow, chip, or splinter.  Its patented formula makes it seem like real wood, but with a material that resists moisture. We add a UV inhibitor into the faux wood composite so that the entire shutter will still look nice for life.  They are even easy to clean -- just a duster for normal work, and a wet cloth for stubborn dirt.

Our Polywood shutters are also made to be one the most energy-efficient window treatments available.  In fact, Polywood shutters are made to be 70% more energy-efficient than hardwood shutters, and 1600% more energy-efficient than aluminum blinds. And all these perks are paired with a lifetime warranty.  Those are combined features no other shutter company offers.

• Benefits:

  Lifetime warranty against warping, cracking or yellowing; most energy-efficient plantation shutter on the market; looks wonderful in any style and decor.

• Drawbacks:

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

Contact Sunburst Shutters Cleveland Today To Install Long-Lasting, Beautiful Polywood Plantation Shutters

When comparing the benefits and drawbacks of the different faux wood plantation shutters, Polywood clearly is your only choice. Our Sunburst Shutters Cleveland reps are ready to show you the benefits of our Polywood shutters, and how they can help any room in your house. To schedule a no cost in-home consultation, call 440-561-6787 or complete the form below today!