Our competitor in Bacliff, Texas produces exterior shutters and corbels similar to ours but at “cheaper” prices. Often times these inferior-built products fail way before the home warranty is even up. Such is the case in the photo on the left. This false louver vent is on the 3rd story rooftop of an 8-month-old, high-end home in Houston’s midtown area. The cost involved with replacing this poorly built vent is going to be expensive. Even if our competitor offers a free replacement, the costs of removing and replacing this shabby vent is going to be in the thousands of dollars for this particular builder.

So what went wrong? To save money, our competitor simply staples in the louvers with cheap wire staples. Staples rust and rot out very quickly in exterior applications, leaving nothing to hold the louver in place. This is the case here and the results are unfortunate.    

What do we do different? Delta Millwork uses time-tested mortise and tenon methods to install the louvers, therefore eliminating the need for any type of fasteners. We use double doweled joints and the highest quality Type III exterior glue that is impervious to water. In short, our products are made to withstand the elements and not fall apart. Sorry, but cheaper does not mean better, just look at the rubbish in the above photo.

So next time you find a cheaper manufacturer, don’t listen to his twaddle. Instead, think about the high cost of replacing your product a year or two later – not just the shutter - but the installation, the painting, and the aggravation.