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White Polywood shutters on five bedroom windows

What Are Faux Wood Shutters?

September 08, 2025

In the past, plantation shutters were made of wood. Today, we have advanced synthetic materials that look like wood but offer more longevity and durability. Commonly described as “faux wood,” these materials make outstanding interior shutters for your Minneapolis windows. If you’ve just come across faux wood shutters, read more about these sought-after, adaptable window treatments!

Why Install Faux Wood Shutters In Your Minneapolis Home?

Plantation shutters are a fantastic but at times underappreciated window treatment because many people aren’t experienced with them. To begin with, interior shutters utilize a hinged panel that sits within a frame secured around your window. This solid panel shields the window unless you swing it open on its hinge. Inside the panel you’ll find a row of functional louvers. These thin but sturdy louvers lie against each other when closed. Rotate them up, and they let light through.

Interior shutters traditionally are known for being constructed of solid wood, but faux wood shutters are available in many synthetic wood composites. These modern materials are less vulnerable to humid conditions, scuffs, insects, and mold that can deteriorate wood shutters. They also are just as effective, if not moreso, of blocking daylight and exterior air as wood shutters.

Are There Different Options For Faux Wood Shutters?

White Polywood shutters on a kitchen window

If you are considering which non-wood shutter is right for your home, it might be challenging to recognize the differences. Faux wood can have more benefits than wood, but not all faux-wood shutters are alike. 

Vinyl shutters aren’t an actual faux wood, but they might be suggested as a substitute to wood shutters. Vinyl shutters are easy on the pocketbook, but fall short on quality. They have a plastic look and can warp, crack, or even melt in the hot sun. Once that occurs, they won’t provide sufficient light control, privacy, or energy efficiency.

Synthetic-wrapped shutters are made of wood chip materials, glued MDF, or pressed wood, and then covered with a vinyl, synthetic, or plastic coating. They’re sturdier than vinyl shutters, but their pressed wood parts are susceptible to wet conditions. Also, you cannot custom-fit wrapped shutters for specialty windows like circles and arches.

Solid extruded shutters are constructed from resilient compounds and painted with an exterior coating. They can be crafted to feature a wood-grain or smooth texture. Their synthetic fibers keep them from warping or splitting like wood can. High-end, solid extruded plantation shutters like Polywood® shutters hold up beautifully for decades in any area, giving you the greatest value for your investment. But, poorly made extruded shutters may be more prone to cracking or don’t have the UV inhibitor that prevents discoloration.

What To Expect In A Superior Faux Wood Shutter

White Polywood shutters on tall living room windows

Not all faux wood shutters in Minneapolis are created equal. When searching for interior shutters, you want a solution that boosts your home and life for as long as possible. Your best selection is Polywood shutters. They give you the following benefits:

  • Stunning appearance
  • Work with all home designs
  • Withstand daily use for decades
  • Impervious to damage from temperature fluctuations, wet conditions, scratching, and sun rays
  • Clean up easily
  • Perfect for any window shape
  • Block most sunlight and outside temperature transfer

Bring All Your Interior Shutter Questions To The Experts

Nobody knows more about interior shutters than the professionals at Sunburst Shutters Minneapolis! We’ll address all your questions about faux wood shutters and other window treatments when you schedule a free in-home consultation. Contact us at 952-856-8130 or submit the form on this page to make an appointment. We'll demonstrate our long-lasting products and help you customize the right shutter for your home.