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/