Different Faux Wood Plantation Shutters In Fort Lauderdale

While you can find plenty of faux wood plantation shutters on the market in Fort Lauderdale, they all won’t age the same.  While some faux wood coverings will last forever without warping, cracking, or yellowing, other faux wood treatments will begin to degrade in just a short amount of time.

It might be tough to figure out what’s best about the different faux wood plantation shutters.  But after you learn about the different types of faux wood, it will be easy to figure out which interior shutter is built to last.

The following list examines the different varieties of faux wood shutters in Fort Lauderdale and rates them from the least durable to the most best:

Vinyl Shutters:

Some plantation shutters that use vinyl are mislabeled as a faux wood product.  But make no mistake, vinyl is not faux wood. Vinyl’s plastic look and slick veneer is hard to match to 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 on the market, but that’s because they don’t last very long.

Vinyl can also be affected by heat. It’s not abnormal to see vinyl window treatments melt or fade due to the sun’s rays. Because of their habit of warping or splitting and their poor insular characteristics, vinyl shutters do not give much energy-efficiency to your windows -- especially if you have hollow louvers.

• Benefits:

  Lowest cost of the non-wood plantation shutters.

• Drawbacks:

  Looks like plastic; flimsy construction; hollow louvers; little energy efficiency; will often warp, crack or yellow.

Synthetic Wrapped Product:

A step up from vinyl shutters are synthetic plantation shutters.  These window treatments are constructed from pressed wood, wood chip materials, or glued MDF, and then bound with a synthetic, vinyl, or plastic coating. The plantation shutters are heavier and can appear much more like a traditional wood plantation shutter than their vinyl alternatives.

However, synthetic wrapped shutters have plenty of cons. The pressed wood under the covering can be extremely absorbent, leaving the shutter exposed to humidity and moisture. It’s a common occurance to find a warped or splintered louver or discover that the vinyl wrapping has chipped or peeled away.  Also, wrapped shutters aren’t custom-fitted for non-standard shaped windows like arches or octagons.

• Benefits:

  Thicker than vinyl shutters; may resemble real wood.

• Drawbacks:

  Not great for high humidity or high moisture areas. Will take in moisture and humidity. Aren't moisture resistant; outer layer can chip away; warps or splits easily; no custom shapes.

Solid Extruded Faux Wood Shutters:

Plantation shutters made from solid extruded faux wood give you more durability than most of the alternative non-wood plantation shutters.  As the synthetic material saturate the window treatment, they create thick, solid louvers that are more resistant warping.  You will also find that these shutters generally last longer and will act much more like real wood plantation shutters. Solid extruded faux wood shutters are also able to be custom-made to fit every window shape and size -- even arches.

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

• Benefits:

  More substantial treatment that works like a hardwood plantation shutter. 

• Drawbacks:

  Quality depends on the mixture of the faux wood composite.

Polywood® Shutters Are The Most Popular Composite Faux Wood Shutters

Polywood plantation shutters are constructed from an very durable extruded faux wood formula that will never crack, warp, or yellow.  Its proprietary formula is like real wood, but with a composite that resists moisture. We mix in a UV inhibitor into the faux wood formula so that the entire shutter will keep looking nice for life.  They are even simple to clean -- just a duster for routine work, and a wet cloth for stubborn dirt.

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

• Benefits:

  Lifetime warranty against cracking, fading, and warping; most energy-efficient plantation shutter around; looks wonderful in any style and decor.

• Drawbacks:

  Higher cost than ineffective vinyl plantation shutters -- but worth it!

Contact Sunburst Shutters Fort Lauderdale Today To Get Long-Lasting, Charming Polywood Shutters

When comparing the pros and cons of the numerous faux wood plantation shutters, it's simple to see that Polywood is the best option. Our Sunburst Shutters Fort Lauderdale representatives are ready to show you the perks of our Polywood plantation shutters, and how they will enhance any room in your home. To book a complimentary in-home consultation, call 561-440-8535 or send in the form below today!