| e past there were far fewer choices in home | | | | temperature changes due to the fact that |
| building materials as today. You had the narrow | | | | it’s very porous. Have you ever noticed |
| choice of wood, metal, or stone. After the long | | | | that in the summer you have trouble opening and |
| process of harvesting or mining the material, it | | | | closing doors? It’s simply because with |
| then had to be molded into the shape needed in | | | | the heat and humidity – actually moisture |
| order to build with. This was the home building | | | | of any kind – the wood expands and |
| process in a nutshell of yesteryear. | | | | warps. During cooler months the wood shrinks |
| The present time however makes for a much | | | | back to its normal size. Much of this warping that |
| different setting. Using synthetic materials and | | | | is not reversible once the weather changes. |
| composites, such as faux wood, that are unique | | | | There is no change in size or shape just because |
| to the alternative natural materials – | | | | of the weather when using faux wood. For |
| makes things quite a bit easier and provides a | | | | instance, using faux wood for replacement doors |
| much better variety. | | | | is a common practice these days for that very |
| Here’s a run down of how faux wood is | | | | reason. It also keeps a vivid finished look without |
| made. | | | | needing to be repainted often. It’s easily |
| The phrase faux just means that it’s not | | | | washed using mild detergents and looks as new |
| genuine or naturally produced. If you’re | | | | as the day it was installed. |
| referring to wood, it means that it’s not | | | | When installing wood shutters, the slats will be |
| real wood, but it looks just like it. Yet, though it | | | | stapled with tiny staples inserted into the frame |
| may look just like real wood, which is of course | | | | of the shutter, which will likely cause a problem |
| what you’re after, it does not behave like | | | | over time – because the staples will work |
| real wood. | | | | their way out. The slats to the shutter then begin |
| The material used in faux wood shutters is | | | | to fall out. |
| actually a polyurethane material. Basically, | | | | In contrary, the slats on faux wood shutters can |
| it’s a really strong plastic. It’s a | | | | be attached with strong adhesives that |
| compressed, man-made material that’s | | | | won’t likely become detached with time. |
| consistent from the inside out. This makes for a | | | | Another great benefit of faux wood is that |
| good material for your home building needs. | | | | it’s treated with repellant for dust. This |
| When you use real wood, the edge that’s | | | | causes the dust in the air to drift on by instead of |
| cut needs to be refinished – either needing | | | | sticking to its surface. This makes decreases the |
| to be painted or stained to match the face of the | | | | need for housekeeping. Wood shutters on the |
| shutter. However with faux wood, the material is | | | | other hand need to be dusted quite often to keep |
| the same from the inside out. When the surface | | | | them looking clean. |
| is cut, it doesn’t splinter and better yet, | | | | If you’re looking to add replacement |
| it’s the same color all the way through, no | | | | doors, or new shutters to into your home building |
| touch-up or refinishing required! | | | | plans, then faux wood may very well be the right |
| Real wood is greatly affected by moisture and | | | | choice for you and your needs. |