Faux Wood vs Real Wood
MDF
(Medium Density Fiber)
MDF shutters are also called hybrid, woodlore, and composite, along with some other trade names. All of these window coverings are made from MDF as the base material. MDF is basically sawdust mixed with glue and formed in the shape required. The coatings range from a vinyl wrap to a painted finish. Advantages are cost to manufacture and cost to the consumer. They deceivingly look very much like more expensive wood shutters. They are stable in smaller sizes and resist warping. The disadvantages are their inherent inability to stand up to water. They have a habit of swelling, and the finish peels when exposed to too much moisture. The material is brittle and can easily break under impact. The material is very heavy, and it will eventually sag under stress over a long period. This material is rapidly becoming a major part of the window covering market due to its low cost and the lack of consumer knowledge.
MDF
(Medium Density Fiber)
MDF shutters are also called hybrid, woodlore, and composite, along with some other trade names. All of these window coverings are made from MDF as the base material. MDF is basically sawdust mixed with glue and formed in the shape required. The coatings range from a vinyl wrap to a painted finish. Advantages are cost to manufacture and cost to the consumer. They deceivingly look very much like more expensive wood shutters. They are stable in smaller sizes and resist warping. The disadvantages are their inherent inability to stand up to water. They have a habit of swelling, and the finish peels when exposed to too much moisture. The material is brittle and can easily break under impact. The material is very heavy, and it will eventually sag under stress over a long period. This material is rapidly becoming a major part of the window covering market due to its low cost and the lack of consumer knowledge.
At Elite Shutters
We have always been innovators and are, in fact, responsible for many of the shutter designs available within our industry today. Even though we’ve tried to keep an open mind about alternative materials offered for shutter construction, we feel that the plantation shutter industry was far less confusing for consumers before the onset of faux wood materials introduced in the mid to late 1990s. This section shares our 20+ years of experience (pros & cons) in working with various types of faux-wood shutters.
insulate almost identically
Many consumers are often sold on the idea that plastic, poly, and PVC materials are somehow superior to real wood as they would never need painting, would never crack, chip, fade, and so on. They are even told that faux wood insulates better than real wood when in fact, the two insulate almost identically the same.
MDF material (a ton of chemicals)
Originally, there was only one type of PVC faux wood material used in shutters. Now there are so many that it is confusing to keep up with them all. Some of the most common types are the poly/PVC material (your best option) and then composite MDF material (the worst option) which is comprised mostly of compressed wood and sawdust that’s been fused together with a ton of chemicals and then covered with a thin vinyl covering to help mask what’s really underneath.
Faux Wood (not Eco friendly)
You find that most if not all faux wood shutters are marketed as being friendly for our environment. In reality, the faux-wood manufacturing process being mostly bi-products of the oil and gas industry creates a great deal of pollution and toxic waste.
The enduring beauty of Elite’s authentic hardwood shutters (featured here) cannot be replaced by any faux material.
At Elite Shutters
We have always been innovators and are, in fact, responsible for many of the shutter designs available within our industry today. Even though we’ve tried to keep an open mind about alternative materials offered for shutter construction, we feel that the plantation shutter industry was far less confusing for consumers before the onset of faux wood materials introduced in the mid to late 1990s. This section shares our 20+ years of experience (pros & cons) in working with various types of faux-wood shutters.
insulate almost identically
Many consumers are often sold on the idea that plastic, poly, and PVC materials are somehow superior to real wood as they would never need painting, would never crack, chip, fade, and so on. They are even told that faux wood insulates better than real wood when in fact, the two insulate almost identically the same.
MDF material (a ton of chemicals)
Originally, there was only one type of PVC faux wood material used in shutters. Now there are so many that it is confusing to keep up with them all. Some of the most common types are the poly/PVC material (your best option) and then composite MDF material (the worst option) which is comprised mostly of compressed wood and sawdust that’s been fused together with a ton of chemicals and then covered with a thin vinyl covering to help mask what’s really underneath.
Faux Wood (not Eco friendly)
You find that most if not all faux wood shutters are marketed as being friendly for our environment. In reality, the faux-wood manufacturing process being mostly bi-products of the oil and gas industry creates a great deal of pollution and toxic waste.
The enduring beauty of Elite’s authentic hardwood shutters (featured above) cannot be replaced by any faux material.
faux wood fades
While many consumers of faux wood shutters may initially have a good experience, they often find that over the years, the extruded color of the material can fade, yellow or discolor, scratch, and even stain on certain occasions. In fact, most faux wood shutters now have to be painted with a finish coat to keep them from discoloration.
Faux wood becomes brittle with age
These materials will often become brittle with age and sun exposure, making them more prone to breakage and cracking than their wood counterparts.
Faux woods are very heavy
Faux woods also tend to be a very heavy material, often twice the weight of wood, which creates many limitations on design and installation and can actually sag in the window after time has passed.
PVC & MDF emit internal toxins
PVC, MDF and other similar materials have also been found to emit internal toxins embedded from the manufacturing process into your home’s environment once heated or exposed to heat, such as by the sun within your windows.
Today, most faux wood products are sold by franchise operators and big-box retailers. These companies often exist on volume selling by undercutting the wood prices to maintain a presence in the marketplace. Sadly, all too often their primary motivator is to achieve the highest profit margin, not by the legacy of their brand.
faux wood fades
While many consumers of faux wood shutters may initially have a good experience, they often find that over the years, the extruded color of the material can fade, yellow or discolor, scratch, and even stain on certain occasions. In fact, most faux wood shutters now have to be painted with a finish coat to keep them from discoloration.
Faux wood becomes brittle with age
These materials will often become brittle with age and sun exposure, making them more prone to breakage and cracking than their wood counterparts.
Faux woods are very heavy
Faux woods also tend to be a very heavy material, often twice the weight of wood, which creates many limitations on design and installation and can actually sag in the window after time has passed.
PVC & MDF emit internal toxins
PVC, MDF and other similar materials have also been found to emit internal toxins embedded from the manufacturing process into your home’s environment once heated or exposed to heat, such as by the sun within your windows.
Today, most faux wood products are sold by franchise operators and big-box retailers. These companies often exist on volume selling by undercutting the wood prices to maintain a presence in the marketplace. Sadly, all too often their primary motivator is to achieve the highest profit margin, not by the legacy of their brand.
our experience
Over the years, we have seen it all and experienced firsthand the outcome of some of these products. We find a few applications appropriate for a faux wood shutter, such as if there is a window to be shuttered inside the shower (yes, it happens!) or inside garages or attics. We put a custom color finish coat on our faux line to keep it from yellowing in the window. We only offer a solid polymer extruded shutter (never MDF), and we must limit its warranty to 10 years compared to the Lifetime Warranty offered on our wood shutters. At the end of the day, authentic real wood shutters, made with the highest quality wood grades and finished with premium paints or stains, are still today and will always be the preferred and superior material of choice for true custom interior shutters. The premium North American Hardwood we use for our plantation shutters is sourced from sustainable and responsibly managed forests and is finished with completely non-toxic finishes. Learn more about our wood shutters here.
our experience
our experience
Over the years, we have seen it all and experienced firsthand the outcome of some of these products. We find a few applications appropriate for a faux wood shutter, such as if there is a window to be shuttered inside the shower (yes, it happens!) or inside garages or attics. We put a custom color finish coat on our faux line to keep it from yellowing in the window. We only offer a solid polymer extruded shutter (never MDF), and we must limit its warranty to 10 years compared to the Lifetime Warranty offered on our wood shutters. At the end of the day, authentic real wood shutters, made with the highest quality wood grades and finished with premium paints or stains, are still today and will always be the preferred and superior material of choice for true custom interior shutters. The premium North American Hardwood we use for our plantation shutters is sourced from sustainable and responsibly managed forests and is finished with completely non-toxic finishes. Learn more about our wood shutters here.
Manufacturing
(Medium Density Fiber)
One way to tell if a faux wood shutter is an import is by the price. Because the synthetic material has to be created in a manufacturing process, formed, milled, cut, assembled and finished like a wood shutter, the cost is sometimes higher than wood. Most likely, the lower-cost faux products are not made in America. Many companies also import the components and assemble them in the USA. The foreign companies also hide under different company names that sound American. All too often, consumers who buy these products have no idea their products are from China or other sources outside the USA. If you have a project where faux wood is needed due to the environment the shutter will be subjected to, we offer an American-made polymer shutter that will work well as an alternative to our woods.
Manufacturing
(Medium Density Fiber)
One way to tell if a faux wood shutter is an import is by the price. Because the synthetic material has to be created in a manufacturing process, formed, milled, cut, assembled and finished like a wood shutter, the cost is sometimes higher than wood. Most likely, the lower-cost faux products are not made in America. Many companies also import the components and assemble them in the USA. The foreign companies also hide under different company names that sound American. All too often, consumers who buy these products have no idea their products are from China or other sources outside the USA. If you have a project where faux wood is needed due to the environment the shutter will be subjected to, we offer an American-made polymer shutter that will work well as an alternative to our woods.
Awards & Certificates
Best of Houzz 2014 – 2019 – Customer Service. We were rated at the highest level for customer service by the Houzz community for six years running, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019.
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Awards & Certificates
Best of Houzz 2014 – 2019 – Customer Service. We were rated at the highest level for customer service by the Houzz community six years running 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019.
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