Proudly Serving Minneapolis, St. Paul & Greater Twin Cities
Interior plantation shutters

Quality Faux Wood Shutters vs Substandard Faux Wood Shutters in Minneapolis

May 06, 2019

There are a lot of faux wood window treatments out there, but how do you tell the difference between good faux wood shutters, like our Polywood® shutters, that will hold up over decades and faux wood shutters that look shabby over time?

Just pay attention to the faux wood shutter’s construction and specifics such as its durability, finish, and energy efficiency potential.

Faux Wood Plantation Shutters in Minneapolis 

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

Most faux wood plantation shutters look attractive when first put up.  But over time, shutters that are made with shoddy materials such as paltry composites, vinyl-wrapped particleboards, or porous louvers can start to warp, chip, splinter, or yellow.  You definitely don’t want cheap faux wood shutters in your everyday spaces or in climates that have extreme heat, cold, or humidity.  

Well-made faux wood, like Polywood, is constructed from solid compounds that don’t disfigure, yellow or degrade.  Its rigid design allows shutters to prevent bowing, splintering, cracking, and chipping, even in high-moisture or varying-temperature spaces.  If you want to know if a faux wood plantation shutter makes the grade or not, just look at the warranty.  Businesses that offer a lifetime guarantee stand behind their products because they only use the best materials.

Polywood Shutters in Family Room in Minneapolis 

Quality faux wood doesn’t stain

Everyday maintenance is pretty much the same for every faux wood shutters.  However, in-depth cleaning comes with another set of troubles. Vinyl and comparable materials will take in some liquid when cleaned with a damp rag.  Substandard faux wood shutters have finishes that can trap dust and grime 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 has a coating that is easy to wipe down quickly, so that your shutters seem as if they were just installed.  High-caliber faux wood should be completely water resistant, so no matter what gets on the shutter, it should come off with a little water or multi-purpose dusting spray.

Quality faux wood is energy efficient

As you close your quality faux wood shutters, you should experience a quantifiable difference in air flow and heat loss.  The solid louvers and compressed materials will help close out sunlight that heats up a room and air transfer that can freeze you out.  The best faux wood plantation shutters, like Polywood shutters, will go even further in ensuring energy efficiency through UV inhibitors and weather stripping.

Shutters crafted with a low quality composite won’t give you the same energy-saving benefits.  Those using second-rate composites or hollow louvers will still allow drafts through. As time goes on, inferior shutters can begin to bow and make gaps between the louvers.  The key to seeing if you are using a shoddy faux wood is by finding its R-rating. The larger the number, the more energy efficient the shutter.

Polywood Shutters in Minneapolis Bathroom 

Call a Minneapolis representative and choose a great faux wood plantation shutter

Choosing a quality faux wood plantation shutter can sometimes seem like an elusive mission.  Good thing our Sunburst representatives will bring you all our faux wood lines, so you can choose the right plantation shutter for your space.  To schedule a free in-home consultation, call 952-856-8130 today.