Daytime is getting longer, the sun is finally making an appearance, and Summer will be here before we know it. 

As much as we love the sun, let’s not forget the rise in pollen count over the Summer season. And for those who suffer from hayfever allergies, sneezing, puffy eyes, and other symptoms can be too overbearing to handle.

What if we told you plantation shutters help reduce allergies in your household?

Plantation shutters for hayfever 

As pollen and dust come through the window, fabric curtains and blinds absorb these elements and make it hard to handle for hayfever sufferers. As a result, many sufferers choose to overheat in their homes rather than open their windows.

Plantation shutters, on the other hand, are the ideal choice for hayfever suffers, as you can open your windows and block these elements by keeping the shutter slats closed. They are also easy to clean, removing the pollen and dust build-up with a quick wipe down.

Great for pet allergies too

It’s not just pollen allergies that can be a nightmare to deal with, as pet hair can contribute to all-year-round allergies. Just like pollen and dust, pet hair collects on fabric, but because plantation shutters are made from hardwood, nothing sticks to them, and they’re easy to wipe down.

–

For more information on plantation shutters for your home and their benefits or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

In terms of flexibility, plantation shutters are the ideal window treatment. You can tilt the slats to adjust privacy levels and light control, and you can create separate sections of moving louvres using mid-rails. You also choose how many shutter panels you have in each window opening and how those panels open.

How plantation shutter slats open and close

Plantation shutters are designed with the louvres closing fully flat in the upward position. This design provides you with the optimum light blockage and privacy, as no passers-by can peer into your home through the slats. 

The louvres slightly overlap one another which creates a seal that blocks light and insulates your home. You can also add a mid-rail to separate the upper and lower sections of the slats for separate control, keeping the bottom closed for privacy while letting in light from the top.

Central tilt rod vs hidden tilt rod

With a hidden tilt rod, the louvres are connected by a thin metal rod in the back of the panel, hidden off to the side near the hinges. To move the louvres, you will turn one by hand, and the rest on that rod will move in unison.

For windows over 42″ in height, a central split tilt may be added to the hidden tilt rod to allow separate control of the upper and lower slats as well as for overall structural integrity. The split tilt gives the same functionality as a central mid-rail without having a solid rail separating the upper and lower sections.

–

For more information on plantation shutters central tilt rod and hidden tilt rod or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Are you looking for a new window covering to dress your child(ren)’s bedroom(s) but unsure which option would be best? If you’re looking for a stylish option that would provide maximum light control, privacy and safety, plantation shutters may be the option for you. 

Benefits of Plantation Shutters for Children’s Bedrooms

Plantation shutters host a range of benefits, including maximum light and privacy control. However, they also have a handful of benefits that are paramount to children’s bedrooms:

Safety: 

Certain types of window dressings are not ideal for children, particularly blinds that have a long drawstring. These window dressings can be very dangerous for a baby or small child to play near. Plantation shutters are installed safely inside the window frame with no drawstrings, keeping the whole ensemble out of reach.

Security:

Plantation shutters add an extra layer to your home. Made-to-fit your window perfectly, they make it impossible to see inside of your home, so no passers-by will be able to peek inside. The shutter slats can be angled to let light and fresh air in without making it easy for people to see inside your home. 

Light blocking:

Plantation shutters help children sleep better at night by blocking out outside noise and sounds. They block sunlight from entering the house when it’s time for sunrise. This is particularly useful for nap times and during the longer days of the year. 

Choosing the perfect plantation shutters for your children’s room

If you’re preparing a nursery, you may have a colour scheme in mind, and you may be considering shutters in that colour. However, you must remember that your baby will grow up, and this colour may not serve them through the years.

We advise keeping your plantation shutters neutral and consider adding a splash of colour to your nursery with paint, furniture and other decorations. 

–

For more information on plantation shutters for children’s bedrooms or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

A question we get often get asked by customers is: “will I still be able to open my windows with plantation shutters installed?” The simple answer is yes. 

If your windows slide up and down or left to right, plantation shutters will not get in the way of this function. For windows that crank out or windows that tilt in, you can still open and operate your windows, but it is paramount that you select the correct mount for your shutters to avoid blocking these functions.

Plantation shutters for windows that open inwards

If your windows tilt in, an inside mount shutter frame can block your windows from fully operating. Some customers prefer the look of an inside mount shutter frame and will forego this function. However, an outside frame will allow your windows to keep the tilt in function.

An outside mount frame attaches to the wall or trims surrounding your window. Therefore when you open the entire shutter frame, it will be outside the window recess, allowing you to open your window fully and easily.

Shutters for windows that crank outward

For windows with a crank mechanism to open the window, the easiest option would be an outside mount. This way, you will have full access to reach the crank handle and operate the locks with the space required.

This is not to say that an inside mount would not be possible for windows with a crank mechanism.

Other considerations 

If there is limited depth inside the window opening and the shutter frame could potentially block your access to reach the handle or lock to open your window, an outside mount frame would be advised.

If you want to hide or cover a locking mechanism for aesthetic reasons or because it may obstruct your slats from opening, a mid-rail can be added to your shutter.

–

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

Whether you have chosen to invest in plantation shutters for your property or are just comparing your options, the chances are you will want to understand the window covering and shutter style options available.

Totally Shutters have a range of shutter designs available, including full height, cafe-style and tier-on-tier shutters with a range of tilt rod options for practicality. 

But what are tilt rods and why are they an integral part of the plantation shutter design?

What are shutter tilt rods?

Tilt rods are poles that can be hidden or visible on either side of the shutters or horizontally on the slats to form part of the design. Simply, tilt rods allow the louvres to move at the same time and sit at the same angle.

Small shutter designs will require one tilt rod to connect all the louvres, whereas, for large windows, a split tilt rod may be needed. For shutters higher than 130cm, a hidden split will be used.

Why are tilt rods an important aspect of the shutter design?

Shutters are one of the most flexible window coverings, and this is due to the tilt rods allowing full control of light, privacy, noise and heat. Without tilt rods, you would have to open your plantation shutter louvres manually. This means it would take much longer to adjust your shutters. 

Should I have a hidden tilt rod?

When it comes to tilt rod options, you have three choices: central, offset and hidden. Both central and offset tilt rods are visible and run down the front of the shutters, either in the middle or to the hinged side. Shutters with hidden tilt rods, conceal the rods inside of the vertical side rail for a sleek and minimal look. The choice comes down to practicality and design choice.

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