How To Tell High Quality Shutters From Low Quality Shutters

When people begin the search for a company to manufacture and install custom plantation shutters into their home, they will usually notice price differences between the products that sales people offer them. They will also probably notice that the products look pretty much the same when the salesman is showing them. The price differences are nearly always due to the fact that cheaper shutters are made with cheaper materials and using faster installation methods. These materials and installation procedures will not hold up to age as well as better quality shutters will, and this will usually become apparent over time. Cheaper quality shutters will warp, crack and split and potentially begin to show gaps at the points where they are installed to the wall over time. This will require repair if not complete replacement, which will generally end up costing far more in the long run than simply purchasing the higher quality shutters first. But how can you tell the difference between high quality and low quality shutters at the time when you are deciding to buy, so that you can avoid the poor aging that comes with cheap materials?

The shutters samples that you will see when the sales person comes to your home are all going to look pretty much alike. Chances are you will see a stained version and a white version, as well as different variations of frames. These are all going to have the same shape and finish, no matter which salesman shows them to you. In order to figure out if the shutters you will receive are the high quality ones necessary to withstand the harsh Las Vegas heat without falling apart over time, you are going to need to start asking some questions. First, find out if the shutters are made from actual wood, or a plastic composite. Plastic does not withstand the heat in Las Vegas very well, and while it might be fine in other areas, the heat that builds up on our windows will quickly warp plastic louvers. There are also variations of plastic called “poly” or “poly-wood.” These are also lower quality and will have the same issues over time. The extreme heat of Las Vegas requires products that are constructed from “basswood” which is a very hard wood which is kiln-dried before shaping.  This process and material is able to not only withstand the heat itself, but the extremely dry conditions that will typically split wood products and furniture. Ask the salesman if the shutters you are considering purchasing are made from “high quality basswood.” Avoid products made from different materials.

Another consideration that you need to ask the salesman about is the installation process itself. Ask if the installers will be using screws to attach the shutters to the walls, or if they use a nail gun. While nails are far faster to use, they will eventually loosen and create light gaps between your walls and the shutters. Essentially this means that your shutters are coming off the wall. Screws take far longer for the installation but keep the shutters in place more securely, even in the dramatic temperature changes we have in Las Vegas between hot and cold. If screws are being used, also ask if screws are used to hold the frames together, and if any additional features are used to create a more high quality installation. Look for terms like “counter sunk screws” and “strong magnets” that will keep the shutters closed tightly and securely.

Onyx Shutters use all of the materials, techniques and features discussed in this article. Contact us today for the high quality custom shutters that you need to last the lifetime of your Las Vegas home.