Different Faux Wood Plantation Shutters In Gainesville

While there are many faux wood plantation shutters available in Gainesville, they don’t have the same quality.  While some faux wood coverings will last forever without chipping, warping, or fading, other faux wood coverings will begin to degrade in just a few years.

It might be difficult to figure out what’s best about the different faux wood plantation shutters.  But once you know 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 Gainesville and rates them from the least durable to the most best:

Vinyl Shutters:

Some plantation shutters that use vinyl disguise themselves as faux wood.  But don’t fall for it, vinyl is not faux wood. Vinyl’s plastic look and shiny veneer is hard to integrate into a decor style, unlike some other faux wood or real wood-based shutters.  These treatments may be one of the most inexpensive plantation shutter products available, but they also are the most insubstantial of the non-wood treatments.

Vinyl can also be damaged by heat. It’s not unusual to see vinyl shutters melt or yellow due to extensive exposure to the sun. Since these window treatments warp, discolor, and have poor insular qualities, vinyl shutters do not grant much energy-efficiency to your windows -- especially if you have hollow louvers.

• Benefits:

  Cheapest of the non-wood shutters.

• Drawbacks:

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

Synthetic Wrapped Product:

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

However, synthetic wrapped shutters have many drawbacks. The pressed wood under the outer layer can be extremely absorbent, leaving the window treatment vulnerable to humidity and moisture. It’s commonplace to find a warped or splintered louver or discover that the synthetic wrapping has chipped or peeled away.  Also, wrapped shutters won’t be custom-fitted for non-standard shaped windows like arches or ovals.

• Benefits:

  More substantial than vinyl shutters; may 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 cracks easily; no specialty shapes.

Solid Extruded Faux Wood Shutters:

Plantation shutters made from solid extruded faux wood give you more durability than any of the other non-wood plantation shutters.  As the synthetic fibers permeate throughout the shutter, they have more substantial, solid louvers that are more protected from warping.  You will also find that they generally last longer and will act much more like basswood shutters. Solid extruded faux wood shutters also can be custom-crafted to fit every window shape and size -- even semi-circles.

But a solid extruded plantation shutter is only as durable as its synthetic formula.  Some recipes create a brittle shutter, which can be cracked or chipped during installation. If the mixture doesn’t have a UV inhibitor, then your plantation shutter will fade and yellow over time. Some companies need to paint their products, which also brings about chipping and yellowing over time.

• Benefits:

  More substantial shutter that is most comparable to a hardwood plantation shutter. 

• Drawbacks:

  Quality depends on the formulation of the faux wood composite.

Polywood® Shutters Are The Best Composite Faux Wood Shutters

Polywood plantation shutters are comprised from an extremely durable extruded faux wood formula that will never crack, warp, or yellow.  Its patented formula gives it a feel like real wood, but with a composite that withstands moisture. We mix in a UV inhibitor into the faux wood mixture so that the plantation shutter will keep looking great for decades to come.  They are even simple to clean -- you only need a duster for weekly work, and a wet cloth for deeper cleaning.

Our Polywood shutters are also constructed to be the most energy-efficient window treatments you can buy.  In fact, Polywood shutters are made to be 70% more energy-efficient than hardwood shutters, and 1600% more energy-efficient than aluminum blinds. And we also include a lifetime warranty.  Those are features no other plantation shutter offers.

• Benefits:

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

• Drawbacks:

  More expensive than flimsier vinyl interior shutters -- but worth it!

Call Sunburst Shutters Gainesville Today To Get Long-Lasting, Charming Polywood Plantation Shutters

When looking at the good and bad of the different faux wood plantation shutters, it's plain to see that Polywood is the clear winner. Our Sunburst Shutters Gainesville experts will be happy to show you the perks of our Polywood plantation shutters, and how they will enhance any window in your home. To schedule a no cost in-home consultation, call 813-602-5966 or send in the form below today!