Things to Consider Before Installing Shutters.
what rooms to put them in
Shutters are hugely versatile, so designed correctly they can complement any room. Often, they are used in street facing windows as while they look great internally, they also add a level of privacy and security from the outside and look smart too!
what should they be made of
Shutters can be made from a variety of hardwoods, plastics or MDF. Each have different properties so depending on the environment they are being installed in, different materials are better suited. For example, rooms with high moisture or wet rooms should use a full waterproof shutter, if the window is particularly large then a hardwood (which is lighter weight) provides better longevity. MDF is probably the most popular material used in the UK for shutters however, due to its lower cost but also the improvements in its manufacturing technology and using a hardwood core in the shutter strengthens panel and allows them to be used on most windows.
when should you use half height vs full height
Its really down to personal preference as its very much a stylistic choice! Half height or café style shutters are often used to cover the lower half of windows for privacy, particularly on street facing windows and often when curtains or blinds might be used in conjunction as this works well together. While full height shutters or tier on tier shutters might be better suited to bedrooms without the need for any other window dressing.
what colours work best and what colours are available
Top tip – try and match the woodwork in the room and on the window. This is why you see more white shutters than any other colour, most windows tend to be painted in a shade of white. Our ranges have 28 standard paint colours and numerous wood stains too which look great in more traditional properties. The colour choices don’t stop there however, we have a colour matching or stain matching service where we can match any paint colour or stain you can think of. We have installed black, green, yellow, pink, blue and many more colours!
what else to consider eg how they fold back
When thinking of getting shutters, always think about how you intend to use them. Do you envisage that the panels are going to be closed the majority of the time and use the louvres to adjust the light? If so, you might prefer to use a wider panel (or panels) on the window as the width of the panel opening becomes less of a consideration. If you plan on opening the panels frequently then bi-folding them to open away from the window, firstly you will need to look at the space you have around the window, and you will possibly need to consider a narrower shutter panel width as the panels will take up less space in the room, recess or surrounds of the window when they are open and folded back.
A couple of tips: For aesthetic appeal from the outside of the property – try and keep shutter panel width consistent across windows, particularly on the same elevation and also ensure the number of panels and breaks in the panels line up with the natural breaks in the windows.
what do you do about curtains
Curtains and shutters and Blinds and Shutters can work really well together and look fantastic, you just need to make sure that they compliment each other practically for your intended use. I would suggest they work best together with the shutter panels closed (using the louvers for light) and curtains to soften the look or even just as dress curtains.
where not to put them
Certain windows suit shutters better than others, often tricky windows such as inward opening windows or those with sloping ceilings nearby may limit how they can be used but there is almost always a solution. Shutters are often the best or only solution for shaped windows as complex bespoke shapes can be created to mirror and compliment the window and the surrounding architecture. They can frame the window rather than hiding it.
Should I order shutters DIY or have them done professionally.
We wouldn’t offer the DIY option if it were not possible to measure and install shutters yourself but there are certain windows where a professional survey would be recommended. Angled or square bay windows for example, these often require a custom angled bay post to match the window angles. Shaped windows usually require a template for example so would highly recommend getting us to take a look. However if you are (or have become during lockdown) a DIYer and have fairly typical windows then go for it! Our team are also on hand to offer advice or a video survey to help you with any technical questions or design tips.