Plantation Shutter Myths Exposed

The Totally Shutters team spend a lot of time talking to homeowners about plantation shutters, and we hear the same myths about shutter blinds over again. So we wanted to set the record straight and expose the most common myths about plantation shutters so you can make the best window covering choice for your home:

MYTH: shutters are expensive

It’s true, shutters are not the cheapest window covering option on the market but unlike blinds and drapes that have a short life-cycle, shutters are a permanent addition to your home. Shutters add value to your property and come with multiple benefits; they’re energy efficient and proven to lower your energy bills. Taking these benefits into consideration, shutters are an investment rather than an expense.

MYTH: shutters are easy to DIY

There are several home projects that you can complete in a single weekend, but installing shutters may not be one of them. Putting in new shutters can be tricky, and if the process isn’t done right, you could end up with crooked shutters and frequent draughts. At Totally Shutters we do offer a DIY discount, however, we only recommend this to experts.

MYTH: shutters are for older homes

Maybe the name “plantation shutters” lead people to believe that shutters are for period properties but this certainly isn’t true. While shutters were used in homes stretching back decades, their crisp, versatile and stylish appeal allow them to fit in with all types of properties.

MYTH: shutters and blinds are the same

For some reason, some people believe shutters and blinds are the same. Blinds and shutters couldn’t be further apart. Shutters are a solid structure that attaches to the window whereas blinds dangle from a cord. Blinds are temporary and can deteriorate after 3-5 years while shutters are permanent and can easily last 20+ years.

 

If you have a few questions about plantation shutters that you would like answering, or would like to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963.

How To Fit Your Plantation Shutters

So your plantation shutters have been measured and delivered, and now it’s time to install them. Of course, at this point, it’s not too late to ask one of our expert fitters to install them for you – many of our DIY clients have regretted that they didn’t opt for our fitting service, but it is possible to install your shutters on your own.

So you have already chosen the mounting option and framing style that best suits your window, so it’s now just a matter of getting your shutters installed:

Preparing to install your plantation shutters

It’s essential that you’re prepped for installing your shutters with the necessary tools and materials:

  • Sharp pencil
  • Measuring tape
  • Spirit level
  • Drill
  • Screwdrivers
  • Screws, plugs and caps (as provided)
  • Caulk
  • Damp cloth

Once you have the appropriate tools at hand, clear your working space, ensuring all furniture and furnishings are out of your way. Carefully open and layout your shutters, positioning the frames around the panels, sliding the corners together to your complete shutter blinds.

The plantation shutters installation process

Once you’ve assembled your shutter blinds, lift your frames into place (you may need a second pair of hands to help you with this). Depending on the style of your shutter, you will need to create some fixing holes by partially drilling the screws in. Once you have your fixing holes, remove the screws and the frame, then drill a full hole and insert your raw plug.

Next, place the frames back on the window space, making any required adjustments to the spacing and the positioning before securing the hinges in place with a screw. If you have any gaps around the frame, seal them using decorator’s caulk, using a damp cloth to wipe off any residue.

 

If you get stuck while installing your plantation shutters, call Totally Shutters who will talk you through the process over the phone. Alternatively, call 0203 960 69 63 for more information on our shutter blinds. All shutter blinds from Totally Shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Plantation Shutters: DIY or Leave it to The Experts?

Do-it-yourself plantation shutters may seem like a great idea on paper – a stylish and contemporary window covering that you can fit in your spare time, saving money too. But is it really that straightforward, or could made-to-measure shutters fitted by a specialist be better in the long run?

DIY shutters explained

The pros of DIY shutters concern mainly price, as they’re less costly than made-to-measure plantation shutters from a professional company such as Totally Shutters. However, if your budget will only extend to DIY shutters, they’re a more fashionable and practical solution than roller blinds or curtains.

But while DIY shutters may seem like the better, cheaper option, there are many flaws to this approach that can go wrong. Unless you have considerable DIY skills, using a shutter specialist will make your shutters are worthwhile investment in the long run.

Measuring for your DIY shutter blinds can be harder than you think, with so much to consider including window hight, window width, recess depth, frame size, angles, handles and latches, measuring can be complicated and miss-measuring will lead to incorrect ordering, difficult fitting and amendments will be time consuming and are unlikely to be covered by product warranty.

And then assembling and mounting your DIY shutters to your window frames can be difficult, especially if the measurements are slightly out. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get quotations from specialist shutter suppliers such as Totally Shutters, to see how made-to-measure shutters can compare.

It may seem like there is a wide range of options available for DIY shutters, but you may, in fact, be restricted to kits or templates. At Totally Shutters, we offer a wide range of choices, including a custom colour service that matches the colour of your blinds to virtually any shade, so you can sit in the knowledge knowing your blinds will be made and fitted to a high standard.

 

At Totally Shutters, we offer a do-it-yourself discount for fitting your own shutters and it is possible to fit our shutters yourself. However, its only recommended for those with considerable DIY skills. We will check, measure and guide you through the process of installing your shutters yourself, or you can leave the whole installation process to us.

For a free in-house survey and appointment call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 69 63, with no obligation to buy, you can explore the plantation shutters choices available for you in the comfort of your own home.