Good Faux Wood Shutters vs Inferior Faux Wood Shutters in Hartford

There are many faux wood shutters out there, but what’s the difference between high-end faux wood shutters, like our Polywood® shutters, that will last for decades and faux wood shutters that will crack or chip in just a short amount of time?

The trick is to examine the faux wood shutter’s structure and specifics such as its sturdiness, finish, and energy efficiency potential.

Good faux wood will never splinter, crack, chip or warp

Any type of faux wood shutters appear pretty when first put up.  But shutters that are made with inferior materials such as paltry composites, vinyl-wrapped particleboards, or hollow louvers may sag, crack, splinter, or fade.  This is even more apparent in heavily used rooms or in climates that have extreme heat, cold, or moisture.  

High-quality faux wood, like Polywood, is constructed from extruded compounds that won’t bend, discolor or break.  Its synthetic structure allows shutters to withstand bowing, splintering, cracking, and chipping, even in high-humidity or varying-temperature spaces.  And while it’s difficult to know if a faux wood is a quality faux wood on the surface, you should always check the warranty.  Sellers that show a lifetime guarantee will back their shutters because they only use the most durable materials.

Good faux wood is easy to clean

Everyday maintenance will be the same for every faux wood shutters.  However, deep cleaning will pose tougher issues. Vinyl and comparable materials will take in some moisture when wiped down with spray cleaner.  Substandard faux wood shutters also have coatings that can trap dirt and stains so that they are harder to clean.

Companies that sell quality plantation shutters know that faux wood should be easy to clean.  For example, Polywood uses a finish that is easy to wipe down quickly, so that your shutters seem just as new as they did on day one.  Good faux wood should be completely moisture resistant, so if anything gets on the shutter, it can wipe off with a little water or liquid cleaner.

Good faux wood is energy efficient

When you shut your quality faux wood shutters, you should notice a quantifiable difference in air flow and heat transfer.  The thick louvers and compressed materials will help stop sunlight that heats up a room and air transfer that can freeze you out.  Top graded faux wood plantation shutters, like Polywood shutters, will go even further in ensuring energy efficiency by adding in UV inhibitors and weather stripping.

Window treatments crafted with an inferior material doesn’t offer similar energy-saving benefits.  Those using shoddy composites or hollow louvers will still let the outside air flow in freely. Over time, low quality shutters can start to warp and make gaps between the louvers.  To see if you bought a cheaper faux wood is by finding its R-rating. The larger the number, the better the shutter blocks UV rays.

Call a Hartford shutters rep and choose the window treatment for you

Choosing a quality faux wood shutter can sometimes feel like a struggle.  Good thing our Sunburst representatives can bring you all our faux wood lines, so you can choose the perfect window treatment for your space.  To schedule a complimentary in-home consultation, call 860-266-5459 today.