Shutters For Your Home? 10 Common Questions, Answered

If you are thinking about having plantation shutters installed in your home for the first time, below we have provided answers to 10 of the most common shutter-related questions.

Can shutters be installed on any window in my home?

Yes, window shutters are made-to-measure and are suitable for any window type. If your window isn’t a conventional square or rectangular shape, then shaped shutters are the perfect option. Shutter blinds are great for bay windows too. Shutters can be installed on windows in any room of the home, including living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and conservatories.

What materials are shutters made from?

From traditional wooden shutters to MDF and high-grade plastics, shutters are made from a range of materials. Certain shutters are made with a combination of materials, e.g., an MDF frame with real hardwood panels or high-grade plastic louvres. The material you choose can depend on the look and finish you desire and also your budget. High-grade plastic shutters are usually selected for bathrooms as they have effective moisture-resistant properties.

Do shutters add value to my home?

Installing shutters in your home can prove to be a shrewd investment as not only could they add value but also help your property to standout when/if the time comes to put it on the market. Shutters are timeless and long-lasting which can be highly advantageous for prospective buyers. Shutters also have serious kerb appeal and therefore offer an excellent first impression to those coming to view your home.

Will installing shutters reduce my energy bills?

The short answer to this is, yes. Shutters can reduce the amount of energy you use in lots of ways. They are an effective insulator so therefore reduce heat loss but also provide shading and help to prevent overheating in your home too. The installation of shutters can minimise the use of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units, saving you even more money on your bills. We look at how installing shutters can reduce your energy bills in more depth here.

What are the main styles of window shutters?

Window shutters are available in four individual styles: Full height, café style, shaped and tier-on-tier. As the name suggests, full-height shutters cover the entire window and tend to be the most popular style for homes. Café-style shutters cover only part of the window, allowing plenty of natural light to enter the room. Shaped shutters are made to fits unconventional window shapes likes circles. Tier-on-tier shutters comprise of two independent panels, one on top of the other.

Are shutters easy to clean?

Shutters are among the easiest window dressings to clean as they don’t stain as easily as fabric-based materials like curtains and blinds. Dust can be easily removed from the louvres with a feather duster or no-polish dusting cloth. You can remove heavier stains with a damp cloth.  

Can I choose from different shutter colours?

You can have your window shutters finished in the colour of your choice. White tends to be the most sought-after colour for home shutters, with cream, brown and grey also featuring quite high up on the list of desirable colours.

Are shutters easy to operate?

One of the many great things about plantation shutters is the ease at which they enable you to control light and privacy. You can do this by adjusting the louvres with the tilt rod. Easy tilt shutters can be adjusted through moving the louvre itself.

Are window shutters cost effective?

Although the initial outlay when installing plantation shutters is higher in comparison to other window dressings, they could prove to be a more cost-effective option in the long run. As we have already mentioned, shutters may help to reduce your energy bills but there are other reasons why plantation shutters are a financially sound investment. They are made from long-lasting materials which means you do not need to replace them as often as alternative window dressings. The timeless look means that even if you change other elements of your interior design, your shutters are likely to fits superbly within whichever style you choose.  

Do shutters block out light?

There are times when too much light can prove to be a hinderance, like when you are trying to get to sleep, read or simply watch the television. Shutters are effective at blocking out exterior light and as we mentioned above, adjusting them to suit your requirements is no problem whatsoever. You can also have shutters installed which have an integrated blind and these are great for creating almost complete darkness in a bedroom.

We hope this post has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or this has helped you to decide that shutters might just be the perfect choice for your home, pleased get in touch with The Newcastle Shutter Company. We’d love to hear from you!