How Big Can My Shutter Panels Be?

When investing in plantation shutters, many people have an image of what they’re trying to achieve. This vision will include the size of the panels and panel configuration, often forgetting key decisions such as style and material. 

The panel size is an important decision to factor as it will influence the look you’re trying to achieve, so it is useful to know from the offset if there are any limitations in place on the panels and how this may affect the overall shutter design.

Material impacts shutter panel size

One of the most significant features that impacts panel size possibilities is the shutter material. Heavier shutter materials need to have smaller panels to ensure longevity and avoid warping over time. If a bigger panel is desired, a lighter material will be needed. MDF is the heaviest shutter material, whereas Hardwood is the lightest material. 

Once sizes of your window are available, whether measured yourself or during your FREE in-house survey, we will be able to advise the panel possibilities for the shutters, including material and size.

What are the benefits of choosing large shutter panels?

The bigger the shutter panels, the more natural light that will come through into your home as there will be fewer solid section divides where framing and rails separate the shutters and slat sections. Pairing large panels with the largest slat size will also help assist this.

Further, in summer months when you’re looking to ventilate your room with an open window behind open slats, less panels will avoid the blockage of the breeze.

 

For more information on shutter panels 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.

Should My Plantation Shutters Be Lighter or Darker Than My Interior?

Plantation shutters are made-to-measure to your requirements and bespoke to your design taste. And with every custom product, you decide on the specific details on how you want your plantation shutters to look and work. 

Some decisions come naturally, or with research, where as others can be hard to decide. Colour choice is often one of the decisions that our clients struggle with, even when slat sizes, shutter style and material are confirmed.

Light or darker plantation shutters?

Just like all design choice, the answer is personal preference and what you’re looking to achieve in your interiors. Do you want your shutters to blend seamlessly into your architecture? Do you want your shutters to make a statement? Or perhaps you’re looking to achieve a uniformed look from the outside?

Our most popular colour option is white as white shutters are timeless and will go with any interior design, should you choose to redecorate down the line. However, our most common choice for bespoke painted shutters is a finish that is the same colour as the walls.

That said, choosing darker shutters can create a wonderful contrast, and we’ve helped many homeowners achieve that look over the years.

What if I cannot decide on a colour?

If you’re still unsure what colour to go for with your plantation shutters, don’t worry, one of our shutter specialists will come to your home as part of our in-house survey, armed with advice and lots of colour samples to help you choose the right colour for your home. 

If none of our standard colours take your fancy, we have a colour match service that will match your shutters to any colour of your choice.

 

For more information 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 I Add a Top Tier to My Cafe Style Plantation Shutters?

cafe-style-shutters

Cafe style shutters extend just part way up the window, leaving the top of the window exposed so that natural light can flood your home while privacy levels are still maintained. As such, cafe style plantation shutters are a wonderful choice for those who are not looking for full shutter coverage.

Occasionally, some homeowners that choose this part height shutter option, change their mind later down the line, seeking full window coverage. There comes the question; “can I add a top tier to my cafe style shutters?”

The good news is that we can almost always arrange for a top tier to be added to your cafe style shutters, should you change your mind about having the top of the window exposed. However, it depends entirely on your window frame, your plantation shutters and their condition.

Why would I add a top tier to my cafe style shutters?

Cafe style shutters are an appealing choice for many homeowners, but sometimes many can change their minds and decide that having part coverage of the window isn’t sufficient enough for their light and privacy requirements.

Full window coverage ensures the most complete level of privacy and light block can be achieved in a room. 

Should I opt for full window shutter coverage from the offset?

If you’re unsure what option would be best for you, or you think your requirements may change down the line, we recommend that you opt for tier-on-tier shutters over cafe style shutters.

Choosing tier on tier shutters from the offset will be the most cost-effective choice rather than adding a top tier to cafe style as measure and fitting costs are rolled into one price.

 

If you have cafe style shutters that you’re looking to add a top tier to, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Are Plantation Shutters Blackout?

A question that we frequently asked is, ‘Are plantation shutters blackout?’ The answer is no. However, shutters offer a considerable amount of light blockage, particularly when compared to blinds or curtains.

And while our plantation shutter range does not give you a complete blackout, our shutter and shade range does.

What are shutter and shade plantation shutters?

Shutter and shade plantation shutters are the ultimate blackout solution. The shutter and shade plantation shutters have an integrated room darkening blind behind the slats, helping to blackout 99% off all light.

As well as providing complete blackout, our shutter and shade range offers complete privacy while blocking out all external noises – making them the ideal addition for bedrooms, nurseries and bathrooms.

In the morning, when you want to let the sun in, all you need to do is open the shutter panels and lift up the blackout blind.

What are my other options?

Blinds and curtains tend to let light in around the edges and sometimes through their fabric. However, plantation shutters without a blackout blind offer a greater level of darkness than both blinds and curtains.

If you wish not to choose our shutter and shade range, what plantation shutter option you pick will influence how blackout your windows are. Larger slats have a greater impact on blocking out light than smaller sizes. Solid panel shutters is also a great option for achieving almost complete blackout.

 

For more information on blackout plantation shutters for your home 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.

Do Plantation Shutters Suit New-Build Properties?

Have you recently bought a new build property and looking to add your flair, making your house a home? Unsure whether plantation shutters will work with the exterior and interior of your new home? Worry not because plantation shutters work in all properties, old and new.

New-build shutters are bespoke

Plantation shutters are bespoke window coverings made to fit your windows. Whether your window is a sash, bay, dormer, or otherwise, your shutters will fit your window.

Many new build properties have a box bay window. Luckily, Totally Shutters have been dealing with all window types for many years, so you’re in safe hands.

Shutters are diverse

Plantation shutters are diverse, with a range of different styles to choose from. When thinking about new build window shutters, full height, tier-on-tier, and cafe-style shutters are all suited and boast unique benefits.

Different styles to choose from

We have a range of different styles, designs and colours to choose from, helping the plantation shutters blend in with the interior and exterior of your new-build property.

Most fixtures in new-build properties are white. However, that isn’t to say you’re restricted to white plantation shutters. We have lots of colours to choose from, and even offer a colour matching service, should you not find the right colour.

white-wooden-shuttersBoast a range of benefits

Modern homes are built to allow as much light as possible during the day. Plantation shutters offer full light control, meaning your days can be filled with sunshine while maintaining privacy, and your evenings as cosy as you like.

Plantation shutters for new-build properties boast a range of benefits. They have insulating properties to help keep the heat in and the cold out, saving money on energy bills. They’re also great for noise reduction, making them more than suitable for new-build homes.

 

For more information on plantation shutters 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.

2022 Home Improvements on a Budget

With utility bills rising, petrol increasing, and food prices soaring, home improvements may be the last thing on your mind. However, there are several cheap ways to improve your home without breaking the bank.

Refurbish your front door

The first thing you see when entering your home is the front door, so what better place to start? Over the years, elements can have a real effect, leaving it looking like it needs some TLC. Sanding the surface and applying a fresh coat of paint can leave your door looking brand new.

Repaint your interior doors

Another quick home improvement win is repainting your interior doors, cabinets and wooden furniture. With a quick lick of paint and some varnish, you can breathe new life into your home in no time.

Update your rugs

Changing your flooring is expensive and time-consuming – so why not add a throw rug that can help add another dimension and brighten up your room. A stair runner can also help improve the look of your stairs too.

Upgrade your window coverings

Plantation shutters are an investment that can help you save money over the years. Not only do they add value to your property, but they help improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your utility bills. They make your home stylish from inside and out, allowing for greater light control, helping to brighten up your home while maintaining privacy.

For more information on plantation shutters 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.

Do Plantation Shutters Increase Home Security?

Plantation shutters bring many great benefits to your home, such as they help to reduce energy bills, increase the value of your property, reduce outside noise and increase light control. But did you know that plantation shutters can increase your home security too?

Approximately one-fifth of all unwanted household entries are through a window. Knowing this, it’s important to make your windows as secure as possible. Here is how shutters can help provide you with the secure window coverings you’ve been looking for:

Robustness

Compared to blinds and curtains, plantation shutters are more solid and robust. They are fixed to your window recess and intended to be a permanent fixture. Intruders would have to be extremely clever to get past your plantation shutters and keep noise to a minimum so as not to disturb you or your neighbours.

Privacy

Plantation shutters give you complete control over how much light can enter your home and privacy levels. As such, potential thieves cannot peer into your home and see your valuables.

Security

Plantation shutters are bespoke, made-to-measure and can be installed anywhere in your home. This means you can secure every window and be safe in the knowledge that your home is safe and looks fantastic too.

For more information on plantation shutters for extra home security 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.

Reduce Hayfever with Plantation Shutters

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.

How Do Plantation Shutters Open and Close?

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.

Choosing the Right Plantation Shutters for Your Children’s Bedrooms

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.