Buying Guide for Shutters Posted on 6 Aug 14:33 , 0 comments

Tips on selecting the right plantation Shutters for your home

As experts in supplying, measuring & fitting made to measure premium quality shutters we are highly knowledgeable in assisting you in finding the right product for your home. Our expert sales team will be able to advise you on the best style and material of shutters for your windows, and we can either take care of the process for you from measure right through to fit, or if you would like to go down the DIY route, we are happy to advise you on the best way to select, measure and install your own shutters.

Due to their versatility shutters can work for nearly every type & shape of window, so there should certainly be a solution for you. Shutters can work in all type of property, whether it is a period property or a new build modern home. Shutters are designed to compliment and enhance a window shape, so an important thing to do when starting out on your journey is to look at your window, think about how it functions and importantly how you will want to be able to use the window when the shutters are installed, for example are you going to want to have your shutter panels regularly open and have your windows open, or will the shutter panels remain closed for privacy much of the time. Remember to consider how your shutters will look both inside the room, but also from the outside of your property.

Shutter Styles & Configurations

The style of shutters means the overall design of the shutters & how much of the window will be dressed as well how the shutters will open & function. We have six main styles of shutters to choose from – Full Height Shutters, Tier-on-Tier Shutters, Shaped Shutters, Cafe Style Shutters, Solid Shutters and Tracked/ Sliding Shutters. With many styles to consider it can be daunting, but we can show you examples of each in our shutter gallery and also advise you on the benefits of each for your type of windows. A lot of the decision will come down to personal choice and also what you are wanting to achieve from your window dressing – is it maximum darkness, is it privacy, is it a traditional aesthetic or a modern look you are after?

If you want to be able to open the window fully, think about where the shutters will open to, is there any furniture around the window that will prevent this, do you need to bi-fold the panels to allow this to happen because there is a wall on one side of the window. In honesty, this comes down to the individual property and they look you are trying to go for.

We often find people wanting Tier on Tier shutters but with wide panels but this is often not viable as when the top tier is open, the panels become an obstruction to something else in the room. So the solution would be to either bi-fold the panels so they don’t interfere or opt for a Full Height style where the panels are likely to stay in place. With a large louvre (89mm or bigger) you get lots of visibility and light when they are open.

Shutter Materials

Our premium quality shutters are available in a variety of different materials, depending on your requirements and your budget. We have MDF, hardwood and polyvinyl options to consider. Part of your material choice may come down to personal taste, however in certain cases we will strongly recommend a material to you – for example polyvinyl shutters are highly recommended in particularly wet rooms that will have a lot of moisture, for particularly large windows we would recommend to you some of the lightweight hardwood shutters. If you want the room to be particularly dark, you may also want to additionally include a black out blind – room darkening option for behind the shutters – this is popular in children nurseries!

Shutter Colours

The most popular shutter colours on the market are neutral whites, this is due to the fact that they look just as good from the outside of the property as within, and also will go with nearly all interiors – which is certainly helpful if you decide to redecorate or sell on your property. However, bolder and brighter colour choices are increasingly popular too and can be a great way to make a statement within your home. We offer a colour matching service so can match your shutters to nearly any paint colour you would like! We also have a wide offering of wood stains too, which are popular for a more traditional look.

Shutter Costs

Shutters are long lasting and will stand the test of time in terms of their functionality and their design aesthetic, however if the cost of them is a cause for concern there are ways to cut back on costs without compromising on the quality of the product. Savings can be made by looking at MDF materials which are highly popular, or alternatively you can save money by installing your shutters yourself. Particularly for simple windows, DIY shutters are a popular option amongst our customers. We have an online DIY fitting guide, but will also be on hand to discuss your shutters with you before you place your order.

Every home and everyone’s design ideas are different and at The Shutter Shop we are here to help. Our expert and friendly team will help you determine the right shutter style for your requirements. Please get in touch to discuss any questions you have, arrange a free site survey or if out of area for a survey, use our Design and Buy Online (DIY) shutter ordering system. We will help in any way we can, so feel free to send photos of the window or any technical questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.