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What Are Faux Wood Shutters?

September 08, 2025

In the past, plantation shutters were constructed of wood. Today, we have cutting-edge composite materials that may have the same look as wood but give you more durability and longevity. These aptly called “faux wood” materials make outstanding plantation shutters for your Riverside windows. If you’ve just come across faux wood shutters, find out more about these popular, adaptable window treatments!

Why Consider Faux Wood Shutters For Your Riverside Home?

Interior shutters are a wonderful but sometimes underutilized window treatment because quite a few residents aren’t experienced with them. To begin with, interior shutters have a hinged panel that is positioned within a frame fastened around your window. This sturdy panel shields the window unless you pull it open. Within the panel you’ll find a row of movable louvers. These slender but sturdy louvers rest against each other when shut. Rotate them up, and they allow light to come in.

Interior shutters historically are known for being built from solid wood, but faux wood shutters are found in a range of manufactured wood composites. These longer-lasting materials are less susceptible to scrapes, humid conditions, mold, and bugs that can harm wood shutters. They also do as good a job, if not better, of halting light and exterior air as wood shutters.

Are There Different Kinds Of Faux Wood Shutters?

White Polywood shutters on a kitchen window

If you are trying to figure out which non-wood shutter is right for your home, it might be hard to recognize the differences. Faux wood can have superior characteristics over natural wood, but not all faux-wood shutters are identical. 

Vinyl shutters don’t qualify as a true faux wood, but they may be presented as an alternative to wood shutters. Vinyl shutters are easy on the wallet, but you get what you pay for. They look like plastic and can splinter, warp, or even melt in hot sun rays. Once that happens, they don’t provide sufficient light control, privacy, or energy efficiency.

Synthetic-wrapped shutters are fabricated from pressed wood, wood chip materials, or glued MDF, and then coated with a vinyl, synthetic, or plastic coating. They’re sturdier than vinyl shutters, but their parts are susceptible to wet conditions. Also, wrapped shutters cannot be custom-fitted for uniquely shaped windows like arches or ovals.

Solid extruded shutters are built from heavy-duty composites and painted with an exterior coating. They can be crafted to feature a smooth or wood-grain texture. Their composite fibers keep them from splitting or distorting like wood can. High-quality, solid extruded plantation shutters like Polywood® shutters maintain their appeal for decades on any window, offering the greatest value for your investment. However, low-quality extruded shutters may be more prone to cracking or fail to have the UV inhibitor that stops discoloration.

What To Look For In A Great Faux Wood Shutter

White Polywood shutters on tall living room windows

Faux wood shutters in Riverside don’t all boast the same quality. When shopping for interior shutters, you need an option that improves your home and life for as long as possible. Your best option is Polywood shutters. They give you the following benefits:

  • Stunning appearance
  • Work with all interior designs
  • Endure for decades
  • Impervious to damage from temperature fluctuations, water, scratching, and sun rays
  • Easy to clean
  • Fit any window shape or size
  • Block most daylight and exterior temperature transfer

Bring Your Interior Shutter Questions To The Professionals

No one knows more about interior shutters than the professionals at Sunburst Shutters Riverside! We’ll address all your questions about faux wood shutters and all other types of window treatments when you book a free in-home consultation. Reach out to us at 951-517-3030 or submit the following form to request an appointment. We'll demonstrate our high-quality products and help you order the right shutter for your needs.