Shutters are not only for windows

Plantation shutters are not just for windows according to influential TV interior designers Colin and Justin. As they wrote in this article there are many other innovative ways shutters can be used. A good example of this (shown below) is Colin and Justin's transformation of a drab store room into a plush dining room.

"Who says shutters should only be installed on windows? Certainly not us. As part of this project we inserted them to conceal the dating sliding French doors, but then we had a brainwave. Why not also use them to divide the dining room from the living space that lies beyond? This approach provides the option of "open concept" while letting light flood into the adjacent room via the moveable door slats even when the shutters are folded together."    

Their recommendation is no surprise. Other than superb practical solutions like increased security, light control and ventilation; a great many people purchase for reasons of appearance, quality craftmanship and the great variety of styles and colours that can be personally tailored.

With so much choice in quality timber and paint finishes it is no wonder that leading interior designers are looking to use shutters for other uses. Using shutters as a room divider is an absolutely brilliant idea and would make a wonderfully unique feature. The additional benefits of being able to moderate light and help retain heat within a room also adds to their appeal.

We are always happy to discuss how we can help improve your house by installing shutters. Why not visit our website where you can find great examples of our work and what products are available.

The very best in painted plantation shutters

In previous blogs we have mentioned that with Lifestyle Shutters you can choose from a range of painted colours and finishes, in fact, in excess of 3,500!

It probably goes with saying that we are against cheaply made and painted window shutters as they commonly deteriorate within a short period of time. Problems can include the paint fading or even flaking and often means that the cost saving people thought they made in the beginning costs them in time, effort and money when having them repainted a few years down the line. 

We want you to feel confident that you are purchasing quality.   

How do Lifestyle Shutters create and treat painted plantation shutter?

Our painted plantation shutters go through a process of being sealed, sanded, primed, re-sanded and then covered with two satin finish clear UV restraint, protective top coats. This finishing process is an extremely safe way to ensure that your painted shutters do not peel or flake.
 
How can you customise your painted plantation shutter?
With Lifestyle Shutters you can customise your shutters to match perfectly with mostly all interior decor. With thousands of Farrow & Ball, Dulux Trade, Fired Earth and Sanderson colours to choose from you will be able to mix and match colours that will be fitting for your rooms. 

Why take the time to choose?
If you chose painted plantation shutters, consideration needs to be given to how they compliment the architecture and style of your home. Victorian and Georgian homes tend to suit either crisp whites or heritage colours like those available from Farrow & Ball for example.  For a more modern building white shutters are also popular as they allow a room to look more spacious and they will reflect the sunlight allowing a more light and airy ambiance. In the end it always comes down to personal preference, and with over 3,500 colours available it can get as personal as you like!

On the Lifestyle Shutters website we have additional information on all the colours available, on the other services we provide and how you can contact us for a free consultation.

Restoring period properties

Period homes from the Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian era have long been popular among homeowners in this country. This is not a surprise as the quality of these properties is evident given the the original craftsmanship involved in the construction. 

Victorian and Edwardian houses are renowned for spacious rooms, high ceilings and very often a good size garden.  Although period homes are often large suiting the many needs of a family this isn't necessarily the main reason for their popularity. 

The finishes within a period home such as a grand Victorian house are nearly always unique. The carpenter working on the property during its construction would have added varying levels of bespoke design formulated to reflect the property's status. 

Sadly, over time, many of these great features face neglect or can even be completely ruined with sometimes original staircases, fireplaces and floor boards being ripped out for modernisation purposes. For many people restoring these original features to their former glory is part of the pleasure of owning such a property.

The current trends of restoring period properties

Period properties have been popularised by television shows that has focus on interior design and period restoration. Even, now television Production Company Endemol are creating a new television show for BBC 2 titled Restoration Home, where private home owners of crumbling historical homes look to save and restore them to their original state.   

With restoring period homes becoming more popular many people have found out that restoring these properties can be more complex than well edited programs have lead them to believe. The interior furnishings in many Victorian or Edwardian homes can be extremely complex in design and to fully restore these features to their original state will often involve a very skilled and often expensive carpenter. Following feature restoration it's time for some interior design. The difficulty with this is getting the balance right between modern options and sensitivity to the original features.

Why Window Shutters

This is where window shutters and our professional service has a distinct advantage over other window dressings. We use a range of timbers that can be matched to any interior design choice and with over 3,500 different paint finishes to choose from we can fit perfectly in any situation.

It's worth noting that many Victorians expected their interior furnishings to be painted, therefore plantation shutters that has been professionally painted are perfectly suited to these homes.

Contact us a Lifestyle Shutters if you would like book a visit from one of our designers to discuss your options.

Window shutters can enhance your home office

It is no longer the case that employees and small business owners are chained at their desk from 9 to 5, with the development of desktop technology and online internet services, many people nowadays take the option to work from the comfort of their own home rather than face the daily commute.

Many people working from home on a full time basis take the step to renovate one of their rooms into a home office. The renovation process is generally epitomised by the necessary installation of the stalwart office essentials - a desk, shelves and a comfy office chair. We believe that plantation shutters should also be given serious consideration as a practical and good looking addition. There are multiple functional benefits to installing shutters in your home office, but also there is the professional ambiance that is created, often helping to focus the mind away from domestic issues and chores. Not to mention the professional image they promote if meeting clients and conducting meetings.

Shutter installation enhances the room’s professional image, aids heat retention and overcomes the unnecessary minor annoyances that curtains can suffer from, such as failing to stay fixed to the railing and discolouring in sunlight. Plantation shutters also offer complete privacy which can be essential to providing security for expensive work systems, they reduce noise from outside allowing you to work in peace and can additionally provide light control and ventilation to create the perfect working room ambiance.

We are experienced in creating the perfect home office shutter solutions and we are always happy to consult with anyone wanting advice. Whatever the size of the window, we have a team that can professionally design and custom fit the perfect shutters for your workspace.

We work with a variety of materials that include a range of timber solutions such as Poplar, Red Cedar, Phoenix Wood and with 3,500 paint finishes - we are sure that there will be a shutter to suit you.

Contact us now for more information or to book a visit by one of our design team.

Image courtesy of Good Housekeeping

Plantation shutters are the right choice for period properties

Many people who own Victorian or Edwardian properties want to maintain decoration in keeping with the integrity of the property, which means double glazing, even if allowed by planning, is not necessarily the right choice asthecially. So what's the alternative, especially when dealing with large areas of window, like bays?

Last weeks news that interior shutters are more effective than double glazing in helping to insulate your home suggests that plantation shutters could be the answer. Not only because they are so efficient at heat retention but also because they suit period properties so well.

Many midsized period properties have bay windows of various style and size, certainly of all the period properties we fit, this is true of about 40%. They are popular with home owners today and that's no surprise when you look at the benefits of bays...  Not only do they fulfill the normal function of a window they also create the illusion of a larger room and, because of the three sided configuration, increase the flow of natural light into the building as well as providing views of the outside that would not be available with an ordinary window. 

Curtains can be awkward to fit into bays, they can look bulky and cumbersome taking focus away from the beauty of the windows; and they can cut out light. Plantation shutters, on the other hand, are elegant and cleanly hung.  In short, shutters add to the feeling of space in a room with bays by accentuating the existing shape of the window rather than covering it up. 

Beautiful, sympathetic to your home and cosily warm.... What other choice is there!


 

Shutters more effective than double glazing

New research by the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust has determined that window shutters are more effective than double glazing and can drastically reduce peoples energy bills.

The research was conducted using thermal imaging cameras to reveal where heat is leaking from a buildings. The results from the survey were consistent throughout, where shutters were used in properties, they proved to be extremely effective in keeping in the heat.

As part of the conclusion of the survey people owning period properties were advised on the benefits of acquiring window shutters and blinds for their homes. Chiara Ronchini of the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust stated,

 'We know that improving energy efficiency in historic buildings is very important if we're to reduce carbon emissions and alleviate fuel poverty'.

'There are issues, of course, with historic buildings, but they are so well designed that they need a little push to make sure that they are performing as well as most modern buildings'.

'The thermal imaging exercise really proved that very simple measures, like closing shutters at night and using full length curtains, can have a dramatic effect and make a dramatic improvement on the amount of heat being lost through the windows'. 

The research was funded by the climate challenge fund    

We're pleased to report this research doesn't come as a surprise to us at Lifestyle Shutters, the news only came a few days after our last blog on how you could reduce your heating bills after all!

If you want to know more about how to reduce heat loss with window shutters, contact us, we'll be happy to talk through your individual requirements.

Reduce Your Heating Bills With Red Cedar Wood Shutters

I'm sure you've all noticed we're now in the grips of Winter, we've all certainly noticed the days are shorter, wetter and colder. So you might, therefore, be thinking about how to keep your homes warm and cosy. The answer could be plantation shuttering. 

The protection against heat loss internal shutters provide is probably obvious. But did you know that the wood they're made with will also impact on this efficiency.  Here we explain why Red Cedar Wooden Shutters are the best choice for a cosy result. 

Red Cedar Wood Shutters 

The beautiful western Red Cedar Wood Shutters collection, available from us, is recommended by architects because of the woods strength, durability and exceptional thermal properties. Red Cedar wood is also a favorite of timber builders as it's resistant to rot and, due to its natural oils, even repels insects.

As a premium grade timber, it’s a dimensionally stable wood which allows it to be constructed into any style of shutter to fit any window.  It's strong too, making it a great choice if you want natural looking window shutters with optimum durability.

Red Cedars ability to reduce the transfer of heat makes it ideal as a natural room insulator

                                                                                                                              

Its low density and unique cellular structure creates interior air pockets that give it an insulation value higher than most other woods. Its thermal efficiency is equivalent to four times its thickness in concrete.

Selecting Red Cedar Wood Shutters retains heat in your home throughout the winter.

As well as a lacquered finish an ‘Oiled only’ version of louvre and solid shutters is available in natural grain. These shutters are coated and rubbed in linseed oil to enhance the natural and richly textured grain of the wood.

Our Red Cedar Wood Shutters are classic in style yet they sit perfectly in contemporary living areas too. So whatever your style of house and decor you can cosy up behind our Red Cedar Wood Shutters and keep the Winter outside where it belongs!

Contact us for more information. 

New Blackout Shutters Available Now

At Lifestyle Shutters we are delighted to continually offer innovative new products and new to our showroom this month is an exciting range of Blackout Shades.

Blackout Shades sit neatly and cleanly behind your shutters to provide privacy, darkness and seclusion whenever you feel the need!

• Blackout Shades are extremely popular in premier homes as they help prevent discolouration of carpets and antique furniture.

• Blackout Shades are a must in premier homes with a home cinema installation. 




• For homes that are without a home cinema installation, blackout shades can help create that home ‘cinema experience’. The virtual blackout experience is a perfect way to watch a blu-ray DVD on your plasma screen TV.




• Easy light control that can offer ‘virtual blackout’. 

• A perfect solution in the summer when the sun comes up at 5am.   




• Blackout Shades are a great option for individuals who have an irregular work pattern as they can offer ‘virtual darkness’ in your rooms even in the middle of the midday sun. 




• Blackout Shades will improve the insulation in your rooms by reducing heat loss through your windows.

To find out more about Blackout Shades contact us at Lifestyle Shutters

A buyers guide to interior window shutters

In previous blogs we have talked about how difficult it is for consumers to decide which plantation shutters are right for them. In this blog we go into a bit more detail.

It all starts with the company you choose to use. We were the UKs first Trading Standard compliant shutter company, and we are a member of the Buy with Confidence scheme. We are very proud of both these accolades and, of course, we think you should use us!

Once you have settled on a company to use the fun bit starts, you get to decide what shutters are going to make your window look amazing.

To help you decide, here are a few questions we suggest asking....

What type of wood is being used to make the shutters?  

There are many types of timbers, mdf and exotic sounding names for which both plantation louvre shutters and solid panel shutters are made from. Who’s to say which timber is best for you. You may prefer shutters with a deep grain visible through a white finish. You may prefer the durability of an engineered shutter or the beautiful grain of the premium Red Cedar wood. However, what is important to note is that some types of shutter materials/timbers may more suitable for specific windows and room environments. E.g. A heavy basswood shutter may not be particularly suitable for a large tier on tier opening window where you may wish 3 shutters to fold left and 3 shutters to open to the right. They can be fitted but would they be too heavy for that design?

How are the shutters constructed?

Quite possibly the most important question, although one that is often overlooked. The way a shutter panel is manufactured can have a bearing on the quality, longevity and cost of your purchase. For instance, a shutter that is simply glued together or has thinner profiles (less wood used in making it) is going to be cheaper than one that has reinforced vertical styles to protect from warping or one that is strengthened with mortice and tenon joints. However, with cheaper versions, there is a risk of breakage under the weight of hanging.

How are the shutters secured to the wall/fitted?

From our experience of over 10,000 design surveys there may be any number of ways your shutters can be fitted. The approach taken will depend on your window type, the height, existing openers and the window handles etc. However, there are other elements to take into consideration too, for example:

• How often are the shutters to be opened away from the window?
• How many shutters are needed per window?
• What louvre size do you prefer?
• Where should the shutters be mounted for best fixing
• Which material/timber are the shutters to be made from. 

It is important to make sure all these considerations are discussed in detail before finalising your shutter choice and the method of fixing.

Hopefully you have found our advice useful.  If you would like to discuss your own requirements in more detail, do contact us on: info@lifestyleshutters.co.uk or visit us at http://www.lifestyleshutters.co.uk/ 

Lifestyle Shutters 1st Trading Standards Compliant Interior Shutter Company

Twitter: Shutter_Tweets

Choosing the right Shutter Company to install shutters in your home can be an extremely difficult decision to make with many of the companies seemingly offering the same service or product.

At Lifestyle Shutters we understand that our customers will want evidence of quality through industry accreditation so they feel confident using our services. In our continued efforts to prove our quality of our services and products, we have sought every accreditation that is available to us.

A scheme that we are extremely delighted to be signed with is the Trading Standards Buy with confidence scheme. The Trading Standards scheme is run in partnership with local authorities such as East Sussex and Kent County Council. The scheme was introduced in response to tackle rogue traders and inform customers of professional companies that have a proven track record of quality and secured guarantees.

Lifestyle Shutters is the first and only shutter company with the Trading Standards buy with confidence accreditation.      

How does the scheme work?

The Buy with confidence scheme puts customers in contact with approved traders who have proven to apply to the highest standards of customer service.

How does a trader join the scheme? 

Membership of the scheme is not given likely as applicants have to pass a series of stringent checks. This involves each applicant having their complaint history reviewed and being visited by a Trading Standards officer. Additional requirements are references from previous customers and criminal records Bureau clearance.

The scheme covers three key topics 

• Ensure staff are properly trained for work
• Respond to any customer enquiries/complaints promptly
• Criminal Records Bureau clearance for all staff that carry out work in peoples home

What this means to you?

The approval process was both thorough and extensive and took a significant amount of time and work to go through, very few companies are unwilling to go through the process and that is why to date we are the only trading compliant Shutter Company throughout London and Sussex, Kent and the rest of the South East.

This means that when you and other customers research diligently the right Shutter Company for your property you will be satisfied that at Lifestyle Shutters we consistently work to the highest levels of quality as required by Local Authorities and Trade Standards officers.

If you have any further enquiries about the Buy with confidence scheme run by Trading Standards then please leave a comment. Or alternatively contact us directly where we will be more than happy to explain our accreditations and quality shutter range.

Case Study 1 - Plantation Shutters for a Kent country home

At Lifestyle Shutters we are always delighted to receive positive feedback from customers. At our new website we have a dedicated section where we can share this positive feedback. This blog post is one case study that is now available to view.

Case Study

Mr & Mrs Bilson were living in Haywards Heath and were moving to a new build house on the outskirts of Hythe, Kent. They arranged to visit our Uckfield showroom to get a feel for initial costs and the wooden plantation shutters themselves. Once the windows were in place in their new home a detailed design survey was arranged.

It was suggested 63mm louvres throughout the house with Half and half shutters to frame the windows and to match the window framework and help improve their insulation. The 89mm larger louvers were suggested for the Kitchen / sunroom to allow more light through during the summer

Comments about internal shutters for an ideal home

"My wife and I were looking for some indoor plantation style shutters to give our new home a contemporary look and came across the Lifestyle Shutters website. It was clear from the website that they were the sort of thing we were looking for and therefore we decided to visit their showroom in Uckfield to get a clearer indication of options and prices.

We met Nathan at the showroom, who gave us his full attention to explain the various materials, designs, and colours available and tips on the best options for our requirements. We also at that point had a fair indication of costs. Nathan suggested a site visit to our house to discuss in more detail the most appropriate design options regarding panel configuration and louvre dimensions and where to fit the internal wood shutters to the windows.

We both felt that our initial showroom visit and subsequent site survey were handled in a clear concise and professional manner and at no time did we feel under pressure to proceed with an order. We subsequently placed our order to have the entire house fitted out and were given a detailed sales order confirmation and an estimated delivery and fitting date.

Delivery was on cue with fitting completed in one day during the advised week given at time of initial order placement.

We are delighted with the results. The precision of the fitting was excellent, and the aesthetics of the shutter configurations suggested by Nathan are very pleasing to the eye. We also noted that the shutters have improved the insulation properties of the house, a benefit that we were not fully expecting.

We were also impressed with the after sales service. As a few minor fitting adjustments were required which were carried out promptly and efficiently. We have no hesitation in recommending this Shutter Company for the quality of it's product and service level."

Geoff and Wendy Bilson. Hythe. Kent.

Plantation Shutters opens up solutions for your home

Window Shutters are very popular around the world in millions of homes, especially in countries such as the USA and France.  

In the United Kingdom with the increasing popularity of home interior television shows that promote new and innovative products, plantation shutters have become an increasingly popular choice to improve the aesthetic of your rooms.

At Lifestyle Shutters we have witnessed this trend and with the relationships we have built up with our customers fully understand the reasons why people are turning to plantation shutters from dated net curtains.

For many of our clients having increased privacy is essential for them, especially if they have other properties over looking their home. Plantation shutters are an obvious solution to this problem, but furthermore they can offer greater security. 
 
Additional reasons that contribute towards people deciding that plantation shutters are a great solution to their household needs include the reason that they can provide great insulation during the winter. For many of our customers they have found that the installation of shutters has been an investment that has paid for itself several times over as they have reduced their energy bills.

The efficiency saving that can be gained can often be the deciding factor when people choose plantation shutters. Yet, there are even more reasons why people choose plantation shutters from the reduction of outside noise to light control.

If you want to find out further, about the specific benefits of plantation shutters you can visit our new website that has a full listing of high quality plantation shutters that have been installed in premier homes and businesses. Alternatively you can visit our showrooms in Uckfield to further discuss the range of plantation shutters available and have a cup of tea.   

Lifestyle Shutters launch new website

About the Website

Lifestyle Shutters are the South East of England’s premier Shutter Company. We install high quality wooden shutters into luxury homes and prime commercial properties. 

Our new website will help us to communicate our dedication, professionalism and quality of service to you, so you can be satisfied we are the best people for your project.

The site includes thorough descriptions of our work and products, testimonies from existing customers, images from our work portfolio and new upcoming products.

On the new site, and in line with our policy to provide a first class service, you can order a comprehensive shutter survey for your home, view our full range of products, request samples, download our brochure or register to join our mailing list.

 
About Lifestyle Shutters

Lifestyle Shutters has been designing and installing durable, high quality wooden shutters and blinds for over 5 years. We offer investment in the latest technology, a highly skilled and specialist workforce alongside a highly motivated and energetic management team. Our reputation is built on a first class customer service, reliability and a real understanding of all wooden window dressing solutions.  

For a superb choice of plantation shutters and wooden blinds to complement your home please visit the NEW Lifestyle Shutters website.

Lifestyle Shutters launch New Blog

At Lifestyle Shutters we are delighted to launch our new blog and social media sites. Since Lifestyle shutters was established in 2005, we have built up a strong reputation for our work across Sussex and the South East of England.  

During this time the relationship that we have forged with our customers has meant that we are often recommended or asked back for future projects. This blog gives our customers the opportunity to follow us and to keep up to date with our latest products, projects and news.