Can Plantation Shutters Stop Your Conservatory from Overheating?

Conservatories are a great asset to your home, especially during the hot summer months, where you can entertain guests with beautiful views of the great outdoors and your garden. But often, it can be difficult to regulate the temperature in your conservatory.

Plantation shutters for conservatories are a stylish and functional solution for regulating the heat. With adjustable slats, conservatory shutters allow you to control light in a way other window dressings simply cannot, helping to stop your conservatory from overheating.

Conservatory shutters for light and shading control

With conservatory shutters, you have the freedom to adjust the level of direct sunlight entering the room, allowing you to cool the room on hot days and add an extra layer of insulation in cooler months. With shutters, you can be comfortable in your conservatory all year long.

Conservatory shutters for privacy

Another benefit of shutters for conservatories is the unrivalled privacy the window dressing offers. Conservatories can often feel exposed, but installing conservatories shutters will bring the privacy you require when you need it. Conservatory shutters are stylish and as functional as in every other room in your home too.

Conservatory shutters for insulation

Plantation shutters are known to act as a layer of insulation when installed to a property. They reduce heat loss through draughts, helping to reduce your energy bills. During colder months, this makes shutters the ideal window dressing for all rooms as well as conservatories. They help keep the light bouncing through the conservatory while preventing heat loss.

 

For more information on plantation shutters for your conservatory or what we can do for your home, book your free, no-obligation in-house survey today with one of our shutter specialists. Call us today on 0203 960 6963.

DIY Shutters: How are Plantation Shutters Installed?

Modern bay window shutters in neutral-toned living space

Although we do not usually recommend fitting your shutters yourself, in these uncertain and worrying times, we understand you may feel more at ease measuring and installing your plantation shutters yourself.

Unfortunately, installing plantation shutters can be a very tricky process. To get a product that fits perfectly and operates smoothly, you’ll need to make sure that you have the skills in DIY required, but also an attention to detail in both measuring and installation.

What you will need:

  • Exact measurements
  • Totally Shutters phone number
  • Correct tools for the fitting
  • More than one person for larger installs

How to measure for plantation shutters

We advise to measure in at least three places for every side of the window, to check that the window is square and the dimensions are consistent. Always use the largest measurements, as they can be reduced via a sander if needed.

For a standard rectangular window, you will need to:

  • Measure the width and height of the window – this will need to be inside or outside the recess depending on how you are planning to fit your plantation shutters.
  • Measure at least three different points for the height and width.
  • Note the dimensions you find.

For other types of windows, such as special shapes and bays, other steps will be required. We advise in speak with one of our shutter specialists to ensure you get the measurements right.

Once you have the dimensions of your window, call Totally Shutters on 0203 960 6963 and we will craft and manufacture your made-to-measure shutters.

How to install plantation shutters

You will need the correct tools to install and fit shutters:

  • Power drill
  • Hammer drill
  • Electric planer
  • Spirit level
  • Screwdriver
  • Tape measure
  • Stanley knife
  • Masking tape
  • Silicone

The steps to install plantation shutters:

  • Assemble the frame – depending on the access to the window itself this could be in one piece or assembled within the recess itself
  • Install the frame – attach at a few fixing points inside/outside the recess as guided by the frame type
  • Attach the panels – drop the hinge pins into place
  • Check movement – panels and louvres should be able to move easily without any obstruction
  • Amend if necessary

 

To guarantee a perfect finish and correct operation, it is highly advisable to use a shutter expert to fit your made-to-measure plantation shutters. However, our shutter experts are on call to help you through each process. Call 0203 960 6963 to discuss your plantation shutters requirements.

Spring Forward Your Interior With Wooden Plantation Shutters

Interior-shutters

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and Spring is officially around the corner. Spring is a time for new life and beginnings, so why not give your home a fresh look and a new lease of life this Spring with wooden plantation shutters.

Wooden Plantation Shutters in Spring

Wooden plantation shutters look incredible, allowing maximum sunlight to flood into your home while maintaining your privacy. They add kerb appeal and value to your property and are energy-efficient, reflecting some of the sun’s energy away from the room. Unlike blinds, wooden plantation shutters won’t move in the breeze, making them the perfect window solution in Spring and Summer.

What’s more, wooden plantation shutters help to cut the accumulation of dust much more than fabric window dressings do, helping make spring cleaning effortless.

Spring Cleaning Your Wooden Plantation Shutters

When you have new wooden plantation shutters fitted, you will want to make sure they stay in tip-top condition at your window. However, wooden products do not cope well with excessive moisture.

To stop your wooden plantation shutters from warping, never use excessive amounts of water or liquid cleaning solutions to clean your shutters.

A clean, dry cloth is all you need for every day dusts and debris. To remove debris build up use a soft toothbrush, and to remove any marks or stains, use a lightly damp cloth.

 

For more information on wooden plantation shutters, or to book your no obligation Spring in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All wooden plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Do Plantation Shutters Warp?

Plantation shutters are an investment for your property, and just like with any investment comes concerns. A big concern for customers is whether their plantation shutters will warp, expand or contract when exposed to direct sunlight, different weather conditions and/or moisture. Here’s what you need to know for your own peace of mind:

Wooden plantation shutters

At Totally Shutters, we use only the finest materials. All our wooden shutters are solid hardwood and are not hollow or composite, making them incredibly durable. They are also coated with several layers of UV protectant and sealant, so can withstand high heat and direct sunlight without warping or cracking.

Although incredibly durable, hardwood products do not cope well with excessive moisture. Wood is a natural fibre which responds by swelling and then shrinking back as it dries out. This can result in warping, which in turn leads to ill-fitting plantation shutters.

Waterproof plantation shutters

Our UPVC waterproof shutters are 100% waterproof, built to withstand high moisture and humidity levels. These can be installed anywhere throughout the house, but are highly recommended for kitchens, bathrooms and en-suites.

UPVC waterproof shutters have excellent temperature operating properties that prevent warping, peeling and flaking. They’re made to fit all shapes and sizes, and are available in all shutter styles, louvre sizes, paint and stain colours.

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For more information on plantation shutters or our UPVC waterproof shutter range, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Give Your Home a Spring Makeover

We’re officially in Spring, and what better season to give your home a makeover? From floral prints to rethinking your window dressings, these practical spring makeover ideas are full of inspiration to make your home more inviting.

Think floral

Nothing embodies the season more than floral patterns. So for a quick win, why not add a touch of Spring to your interior with floral patterned accessories such as scatter cushions or wall? Or consider updating your interior with a floral statement wall.

Rethink your window dressings

Plantation shutters allow you to flood your room with light while maintaining privacy levels, bringing the bright spring sunlight inside. Plantation shutters also help to reflect some of the sun’s energy away from your home, making them the ideal window solution in Spring and Summer.

Merge the indoors and out

Well-designed homes always include a room where boundaries between indoors and out are blurred. Think about adding window boxes of foliage both inside and out. Place houseplants around your home. And, choose your window covering wisely. Solid shutters and cafe-style shutters allow you to always have a clear view of your garden, inviting the outdoors inside your home.

 

For more information on plantation shutters, or to book your no obligation Spring in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Inside or Outside Mount on Plantation Shutters

Not to be confused with interior vs exterior shutters, we are referring to inside mount shutters and outside mount shutters.

Inside mount shutters are made to fit within a recessed window opening. If your window is set back from the wall enough to accommodate the shutter frame, you may consider an inside mount.

Whereas outside mount shutters are measured to surround your window opening and are mounted to the wall outside the glass area, or on top of your existing trim.

Pros and Cons of Inside Mount Shutters

Inside mount shutters are the most popular shutter mount option but are only suited to windows deep enough. Inside mount shutters fit inside the window opening and can be pushed back toward the glass for very deep windows, or pulled forward to blend with the wall.

The disadvantage to inside mount is if you have crack-out windows with large handles as the inside mount frame may get in the way of operating your window handles and locks.

Pros and Cons of Outside Mount Shutters

Outside mount shutters are a great choice for windows with limited recess depth or windows that are not level or square. At Totally Shutters, our outside mount frames act in place of a window mould, while supporting the weight of your shutter panels, ensuring everything is perfectly aligned.

Outside mount shutters surround the window opening, hiding any imperfections and eliminating gaps. For crack-out windows with large handles, outside mount shutters would be suited.

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For more information on inside mount shutters and outside mount shutters, or to book your no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

How Waterproof Are Plantation Shutters?

Knowing how waterproof your furnishings are is essential, especially when considering window treatments for rooms with high humidity levels such as your bathroom, toilet and kitchen.

Irrespective of whether you have a modern or period home, the bathroom and kitchen are areas where you will spend a lot of time, and if you’re planning to sell your home, these rooms boost the value of your property.

Finding the perfect window covering for your bathroom or kitchen can be hard. You want something that will give you privacy and light control as well as look amazing. But of course, these areas are prone to damp and humidity.

Plantation shutters are an excellent window covering option as they can be crafted using waterproof materials.

Waterproof window treatments

Perhaps you are looking for an ultra-modern look in a high-tech kitchen or wanting a new all-white bathroom suite, whatever your reasons for looking for a new window solution, waterproof shutters are the ideal solution, especially for bathrooms, wet rooms, kitchens and pool areas.

Choosing UPVC waterproof shutters from Totally Shutters will give you everything you need because:

  • They are 100% waterproof
  • They are available in different colours, allowing you to find create the perfect look in your home
  • They are strong, durable and practical, ideal for high-traffic areas
  • They are easy to clean, requiring a quick wipe with a damp cloth
  • The marine-grade steel staples will not rust
  • Made-to-measure and will fit most window shapes and sizes

 

For more information on UPVC waterproof shutters, or to book your no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All waterproof shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Plantation Shutters for Door Windows

Contrary to popular belief, plantation shutters aren’t just for windows. Their versatility, functionality and practicality lend itself to doors, providing the perfect alternative to window blinds and curtains.

Shutters for doors benefits

Depending on the size or shape of your door, you may find it hard to buy a curtain that can cover your door entirely, whereas plantation shutters are made-to-measure, fitting any door of any shape and size, regardless of how high or large they are.

Plantation shutters are also the most stylish door window covering. They allow privacy without making the room dark. They provide shade in summer and insulation in the winter. And you can control the light coming into the room all year round.

Plantation shutters for door windows act as a barrier to pets, children and bugs when the doors are open, still allowing for ventilation through the louvres – great for hot summer days. Unlike blinds or curtains, shutters are fixed within a frame and won’t move in the breeze.

Door window shutter options

Full height shutters with a mid-rail made from MDF or hardwood are perfect for French or patio doors providing the door window width and panel size. The mid-rail is commonly positioned in line with any unsightly door handles.

However, if you would like full access to your window door, tracked shutters are best. They enable the panels to be stacked to one or both sides of the door. Here you have two options; you can have either a bi-fold track where the panels concertina or a bi-pass track where the panels slide behind one another.

 

At Totally Shutters, we have designed, supplied and installed bespoke plantation shutters for doors in London and around the UK for over 15 years, including French doors and patio doors. We have also designed shutters for conservatory doors and gardens.

For more information, or to book your in-house survey call 0203 960 6963 today. All plantation shutters for doors come with a 5-year guarantee.

What Does Our 5-Year Shutter Guarantee Cover?

fitted-shutters

At Totally Shutters, we understand that purchasing and installing made-to-measure plantation shutters in your home is a big decision. That’s why our shutter specialists are here for you from start to end, from initial quotation to installation.

What’s more, with our 5-year guarantee as standard with each of our plantation shutter options, we offer a no-hassle replacement in the rare case of any manufacturing defects.

Quality plantation shutters you can trust

One of the biggest concerns we often get asked is what if the material starts to crack or fall apart, and will the colour will fade over time.

At Totally Shutters, we only use the finest materials and the best techniques, so you can rest assured that this will not be the case. Our wooden plantation shutters are made from 100% solid hardwood that will never hollow or composite, and our polyvinyl plantation shutters are solid with a reinforced aluminium core that will last for years to come.

All our plantation shutters are treated with a UV protectant and sealant that’s applied in layers for a long-lasting beautiful finish that will not yellow, fade or peel, even in high heat and direct sunlight. Our polyvinyl plantation shutters are waterproof, withstanding warping in wet or humid conditions.

Your 5-year shutter guarantee

Your 5-year shutter guarantee starts from the day your window dressings are fitted and extends up to the fifth anniversary of your fitting date. For a nominal call-out fee, we promise to repair or replace any faulty shutters completely free of charge.

Our exclusions are:

  • Shutters are used for the purpose provide
  • Altered products are not covered
  • The shutters are for internal use
  • Normal wear and tear is not covered
  • Fading is excluded beyond 1 year

For full terms and conditions on our plantation shutters 5-year guarantee, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963.

Give Your Kitchen a Restaurant Feel with Shutters

For most people, the kitchen represents the hub of their home; a place where family and friends gather to enjoy home-cooked food and good conversation. For this reason, it’s never been more important to create the right atmosphere and ambience in the kitchen.

So, why not bring a little style to the heart of the home and simulate a 5* dining experience the whole family can enjoy with plantation shutters?

Add style to your kitchen

Made-to-measure plantation shutters are incredibly stylish and with a range of styles, colours and finishes to choose from, are adaptable to suit all kitchen interiors, both contemporary and traditional designs.

Plantation shutters really do set the mood and create the perfect kitchen ambience. You can open the louvres and flood the room with as much natural light as possible while tucking into a delicious eggs benedict on a beautiful Summer’s morning. During the dark, winter months you can shut your kitchen off from the outside world, light some candles and enjoy a tasty three-course meal without leaving the house.

Kitchen shutter styles

Cafe style shutters are a great choice for kitchens and dining rooms, instantly creating a cosy, picturesque look. Solid panel shutters are great for separating a kitchen and dining room. UPVC waterproof shutters lend themselves to kitchens as they are resistant to moisture and have an excellent temperature operating property that prevents warping, peeling and flaking.

With our custom colour scheme, we can match your chosen shutters to the decor of your room or coordinated to match your kitchen units.

 

For more information on kitchen shutters, or to book your no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.