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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Boast 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.

There has been a surge in property sales in recent times, as more buyers are taking advantage of the stamp duty holiday, and as more homeowners look for more home space for homeworking as the value of their property is at an all-time high.

If you’re one of these people who have just purchased a new house, here is why you should consider installing plantation shutters in your new home:

They are versatile

Plantation shutters hold great importance when designing a home or workplace. They enhance the decor of your home and create a joyful environment to live and work.

Unlike curtains and blinds, plantation shutters are made to fit any size and shape window, from bay windows to circular-shaped windows.

Stylish and timeless

Plantation shutters give a more expensive, up-market look than blinds and curtains. They are a stylish and timeless addition to your home. They look stately and compliments almost any internal decor, meaning you won’t have to replace your window dressing, should you choose to re-decorate down the line.

Great insulation

Shutters are great at insulating your home, ventilating the room and keeping the sun at bay during summer months, while blocking cold drafts and providing an extra layer of insulation during the colder months. As a result, plantation shutters help you save money on your energy bills.

Perfect for busy streets

If you’re moving to a busy street, plantation shutters act as a sound barrier, helping drone of traffic or noise from a nearby road. They also provide efficient privacy levels, by simply adjusting the louvres.

 

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

2020 has been a long year, so we have good reason to look ahead to a new year, a fresh beginning and interior design trends of 2021.

From the growing importance of sustainable materials to celebrating uniqueness, if you’re looking to refresh your home for the year ahead, look no further than these unmissable interior design trends of 2021.

Indoor Escapes

Following 2021, when the world was turned upside down, more people will be creating a place where they can escape and rejoice in their home.

We predict people will be wanting to create an open space indoors, bringing the outdoors in, with open windows, fresh air, greenery and beauty.

We also believe beautiful outdoor garden spaces will become a must-have, with the same level of consideration as indoors, with styled furniture and accessories.

Unique Flair

After a terrible year to many businesses, we believe more people will be choosing to support local and small independent stores. By doing so, we believe, homes will begin to incorporate a unique flair into their interior, creating diversity in every property.

Plantation Shutters

Design trends come and go, but something that will never lose their appeal is plantation shutters; the must-have window dressing of 2021.

Plantation shutters allow you to enjoy the outdoors while ensuring maximum privacy. They are stylish, adding kerb appeal, sustainable, helping to keep the energy bills down and help to add an extra layer of security to your property.

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If you’re looking for plantation shutters in London, surrounding areas and the UK, support your trusted local supplier, Totally Shutters. For more information on made-to-measure plantation shutters, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963 to book your free no obligation in-house survey. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

At Totally Shutters, we offer a discounted price to those looking to measure and install their window shutters themselves. However, when installing window shutters, there are a few things to consider:

Only buy from a reputable shutter company

The first and foremost thing to consider is to only buy your plantation shutters from a reputable shutter company that you can trust, such as Totally Shutters. Further, your shutters must be made-to-measure, not only to create the desired look but also to benefit from all the advantages that they give, such as insulation, light and privacy control.

Beware of companies that sell shutters in stock and cut them to fit, as these will never give the same quality look as made-to-measure shutters.

Do your research

Do your research in shutter styles and shutter materials to ensure you have the right option for you and your property. Only choose hardwood or UPVC and avoid pine shutters as they are a softer wood that tends to bleed sap, spoiling the overall look of your plantation shutters, and will need replacing down the line.

Ensure all renovations are carried out

If renovating your window area, it’s essential that any replacement windows, plastering, painting, wallpapering and tiling are completed before measuring your window area, or arranging for your Totally Shutters free in-house survey.

Even the smallest changes can alter the configuration of your made-to-measure shutters, resulting in an imperfect fit.

Why choose plantation shutters?

Plantation shutters are an investment. They are versatile and look stunning at every window and property type. They are also child and pet friendly and extremely easy to maintain. They add kerb appeal to your home and value to your property.

As plantation shutters are considered to be part of the fixtures and fittings of your home, it’s vital that they function as well as they look. We recommend that you have a professional measure and install your plantation shutters, to ensure a perfect fit.

 

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