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.

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.