Money Saving Tips to Reduce Energy Bills

The price of bills has soared and, as of November 2022, shows no signs of slowing down. This can have you feeling deflated, but fear not, this handy blog post will give you a few tips on reducing your energy bills.

Ways to reduce your energy bills

Saving money on your energy bills can be implemented with a few changes. There are several things you can do today that will save you money tomorrow:
Don’t leave appliances on standby
Use the heating sparingly
Wear extra layers to avoid turning on the heating
Avoid leaving the lights on
Keep windows and doors closed to help with insulation
Buy draft excluders

Keeping your home warm with shutters

Trying to keep your home warm during the winter is a large proportion of energy bill costs. Keeping energy output low is vital to reducing your bills. One of the best ways to achieve this is by making sure your windows are up to the task.

Lots of warmth is lost through the windows, and this is noticeable with single-glaze windows. By upgrading your windows to double or triple-glazing, you will notice a huge difference in how quickly the home heats up.

Adding plantation shutters to your windows can also help reduce energy bills. A stunning window dressing that will impress your visitors, plantation shutters prevent heat from escaping or drafts from entering the room..

 

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

My Shutter Slat is Broken – How Can I Repair It?

Accidents happen, and over the years we have come across a number of incidents that have resulted in plantation shutters being broken.

From shutters being at the brunt end of being hit by a ball to animals using the window dressing as a scratching post, it seems that even something as robust as plantation shutters can still be the victim of accidental damage.

We are therefore occasionally contacted by disgruntled homeowners asking “how can I repair my broken plantation shutter?”

Replacing your broken plantation shutter slat

In most cases, where a slat has been broken, we can arrange for a replacement slat to be fitted in place and get those plantation shutters back to their beautifully finished former self.

To order a replacement slat, simply get in touch with our team of shutter experts, who will be able to assist. Replacement slats will be linked to your previous order so that batching methods are precisely matched in manufacturing the slat, ensuring the exact match to the shutters in place.

For this reason, we are only able to offer replacement slats for plantation shutters that have been supplied by Totally Shutters.

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For more information on repairing a broken plantation shutter slat or to book your FREE in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Blocking Out Fireworks With Plantation Shutters

It’s autumn, and as leaves adorn our streets, fireworks start to brighten up our nighttime skies. This can be a worrying time for pet owners, as the loud bangs can result in the distress of their animals. And although there’s a great deal of advice out there on the best solutions to help calm firework-related anxiety, it can all be a little bit too overwhelming to comprehend.

Fear not, plantation shutters may be the solution you’re looking for.

The noise reduction benefits of plantation shutters

Plantation shutters boast a range of benefits including light, privacy and temperature control, as well as insulating properties. On top of these great benefits are the noise-reducing possibilities that shutters provide.

No matter what material you opt for, having plantation shutters fixed to your window frame can quieten any outdoor noise, including the loud bangs of the fireworks.

Shutters may not completely block out all sound from the outside, but they do help to significantly reduce the noise in a more efficient way than other window dressings. Having plantation shutters on bonfire night can be a blessing.

If you have plantation shutters installed, utilise the noise reduction benefits by keeping the panels and slats closed to help keep your animals and home happy during the fireworks displays.

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

Can You Open Windows With Plantation Shutters Installed?

A common question we get from customers is, “can you still open your windows once plantation shutters are installed?”

In most instances where interior plantation shutters are installed to windows, the open and close function of the window remains operational. However, there are some exceptions where a window opening may be restricted.

For instance, with an inward opening window and a shutter frame that restricts the range of the window operation, the window will not open or close. If this is the case, the Totally Shutters experts will inform you of this during your free, no-obligation in-house survey.

Your plantation shutter choice

How your window will operate once your plantation shutters have been installed depends on the style of window and choice of shutter. During your free, no-obligation in-house survey, we will explain to you your different options and how your window will operate with each one.

With so many different options available in made-to-measure plantation shutters, there is always a perfect option for both the window opening function and the aesthetic of the shutter you want.

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

Are Plantation Shutters Good for Insulation?

With the cost of living crisis and heating rising rapidly, you may be looking at ways to reduce your energy costs during the colder months without breaking the bank. Plantation shutters may be the solution for you.

Most heat lost from homes is through the windows and doors, so having these areas sealed will help prevent this. However, your window dressing can play a part in preventing heat from escaping.

Plantation shutters are an investment 

Choosing your window dressings can be a long-lasting investment in your home that may help prevent heat loss.

Plantation shutters are permanent fixtures in window spaces. As they are bespoke, they fit the intended space perfectly, acting like an extra layer to the window area, helping insulate the room.

Further, plantation shutters absorb heat from the room and provide a physical barrier between the window and the room space, preventing more heat from being lost to the window.

All year-round benefits 

Temperature-controlling benefits aren’t just limited to insulating the home during the winter but are an excellent choice all year-round. In summer months, plantation shutters can be used to create ventilation throughout a room while keeping privacy and shade maintained.

Plantation shutters really are an investment. The long-term benefits of adding shutters to a window include increased privacy and light control.

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For more information on the benefits of plantation shutters or to book your FREE in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

4 Ways to Soundproof Your Nursery

Babies and young children need an ample amount of sleep, ranging from 8 hours a night to 14-17 hours a day for newborns. Making your nursery soundproof is incredibly important to ensure your child is as comfortable as possible and their sleep is undisturbed.

Here are four ideas to help you soundproof your nursery and ensure your children have a good night and day sleep:

1. Soundproof your door

Most homes have hollow-core doors and these can let in a lot of noise. Opting for a solid-core door will prevent noise from seeping into the room.  Adding door strips around the edge of the door is also a great option to stop sound from entering the room. 

2. Consider your flooring

Sound echoes in an empty room, and this applies to rooms with solid floors. Opting for carpets in your child’s nursery can help to keep the noise levels down. If you have a wooden floor and would rather keep it, opt for a rug or two instead. 

3. Decorate your room

An empty room is a noisy room. Filling up the space with things like bookshelves, couches and picture frames will help muffle sound and make a huge difference. Placing as much furniture against the walls as possible will help optimise soundproofing.

4. Invest in plantation shutters

Noise from outside can be incredibly disruptive. Even if you’re in a rural area, outdoor noises such as birds can ruin your baby’s or young child’s sleeping pattern. Ensuring you have the correct window covering is essential. Plantation shutters can reduce outdoor noise from coming in. 

 

For more information on nursery plantation shutters for your child’s bedroom or to book your FREE in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

How Long Do Plantation Shutters Last?

When shopping for a window covering, one of the main things to consider, along with the look and practicality, is its longevity. Plantation shutters boast a range of benefits, one of which is they’re built to last.

How long do plantation shutters last?

At Totally Shutters, we give customers the best value for their money, producing high-quality products that withstand the test of time. All of our ranges, both hardwood and vinyl, come with a 5-year warranty as standard, but with the right care and attention, there is no reason they shouldn’t last for twenty years or more. 

Long-lasting plantation shutters

Plantation shutters are incredibly low maintenance and easy to clean, requiring a wipe-down with a damp cloth. With regular maintenance, your plantation shutters will last a lifetime. 

Plantation shutters require less maintenance than curtains or blinds and are easier to clean. Whether you decide on full height, tier-on-tier, cafe style or solid shutters, you will enjoy your plantation shutters for years to come. 

 

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

How Can I Improve My Window Privacy?

window-shutters

We all value privacy. It’s why our homes have doors and why we dress our windows. However, windows are also our view of the outside world. We must choose our covering wisely, allowing maximum privacy levels while allowing sunlight to dazzle through. 

Improve your window privacy with plantation shutters

Plantation shutters are the best window covering for increasing your privacy levels. Made to measure the exact dimensions of your window, they will ensure all of your window is hidden when closed. 

Unlike curtains and blinds, plantation shutters allow for maximum privacy levels while allowing sunlight to enter your home by adjusting the louvres accordingly. As plantation shutters are built to last, they will save you money in the long run. 

Plantation shutters come in a range of styles, so you will always find a design that will meet your needs:

Full-height shutters cover the entire window. They have movable slats that allow for as much or as little light to enter your home as you like. For complete privacy, keep the panels closed. 

Cafe-style plantation shutters usually only cover the bottom half of the window, but they can stop at any point of your window. This allows for privacy while still brightening up your room. 

A versatile option, tier-on-tier plantation shutters consist of two sections: one on top and one on the bottom. This allows you to open the panels separately, leaving the bottom closed while the top is open.

Solid shutters are comprised of panels of wood with no movable slats. If you’re looking for a window covering that offers maximum privacy, this option may be for you. 

 

For more information on improving your window privacy with plantation shutters or to book your FREE in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Improve your conservatory’s temperature with plantation shutters

For anyone fortunate enough to have a conservatory, you will know that they can be one of the most pleasant areas of your home, but with so many windows and glass, they can be unbearable in the Summer sun. 

Further, it can be difficult and expensive to control the temperature in Winter too making it hard to control the temperature all year round. Plantation shutters can improve your ability to control the temperature in your conservatory while making it still look great.

Keeping cool in the Summer

Plantation shutters can help your conservatory stay cooler in the warmer months by blocking out the hot rays from the sun shining directly into your conservatory. Blocking direct sunlight is one of the best ways to help keep a room from getting too hot, especially in a conservatory. 

Staying warm in the Winter

If your conservatory gets chilly in the Winter, it can cause your heating bill to skyrocket. Made to measure, plantation shutters fit the windows in your conservatory perfectly, allowing you to create an extra layer to keep the warmer indoor air from being chilled by the windows. Since shutters are so easy to open, you can take advantage of sunny mornings and early afternoons in the winter months.

 

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

Where Should Plantation Shutters Be Installed?

A question we often get asked is: “Should I install plantation shutters on every window?” And whilst we would for you to benefit from the style and practicality of having plantation shutters on every window, we understand that sometimes this isn’t possible. 

At Totally Shutters, we offer our customers tailored advice to suit their style preferences and budget to help them determine where plantation shutters would be best suited to their property. Here is some comprehensive guides to follow:

Installing plantation shutters in rooms with high levels of light

Plantation shutters hold multiple benefits, helping improve practical aspects of daily life in your home. Sunlight pouring through your windows is a sight that we all like, however, this is often impractical. 

Whether you work from home and the sunlight is affecting the glare on your computer, or you’re someone that works a night shift and requires darkness during the day, plantation shutters in specific areas can provide the solution required.

Installing plantation shutters to every window within a room

There is no rule to say that plantation shutters have to be installed throughout your home. However, there are many homeowners who would prefer a uniform look throughout their property, increasing their curb appeal. 

There is no right or wrong with this option, perhaps you could create a uniform look by installing plantation shutters on every window downstairs rather than every window, this is completely a design preference for you to choose. 

Installing plantation shutters over a period of time

If plantation shutters are the aesthetic you’re seeking but your budget is staggered, why not install plantation shutters in one room at a time? This will allow you to stretch out the costs rather than paying a single lump sum.

 

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