Shutter design, tips and features for window shutters

The UK is seeing more installations of plantation shutters (a common term for internal window shutters) and the public are increasingly aware of the way interior windows are presented with styles and fashions of this not so new phenomenon.

There are a lot of reasons for installing shutters rather than other traditional window coverings and internal shutters can in fact be used in combination with curtains for example. One of the ultimate reasons for having shutters installed is the beautiful clean lines they can create. On the whole shutters will have a low profile against the window. This means there is less imposition into your room irrespective of which room plantation shutters are used in. You can achieve wonderful clean lines particularly with wide slatted plantation shutters which can carry off the lines you have created around any given interior.

Having control of light by opening shutters fully (if you opt for hinged shutters - see our article about opening shutters for windows) or twisting tilt rods to open the slats gives a wide range of light and privacy options to the end user. With curtains its often the case that net curtains are needed to afford any privacy if the curtains are opened (who honestly still likes net curtains!) - however with plantation window shutters you can alter the light in a room whilst still maintaining a degree of privacy. Its quite difficult to look through slatted shutters even when open from the outside of a house, especially without looking obviously like you’re looking into the house and no-one wants to be caught snooping around. So potentially we’re possibly seeing a reduction in crime and added security to a home through the use of window shutters, and certainly added light control.

That’s not all. Opting for hard wood plantation shutters affords you the option of maintaining and cleaning your shutters when needed and as with all hard wood products you can get many many years of service from shutters if they are well maintained. Think of hard wood garden furniture and you’ll know that even if you do not protect hardwoods you can get decades of use from these and they are fully exposed to the elements. Likewise for internal window shutters if you periodically apply stains or wood finishes, clean the slats and oil any hinges, you should see decades of service from these too. Cleaning the slats can be a little time consuming however with a dust cloth and some good will you can clean your shutters without draping huge sheets of curtains around the home and garden!

The image accompanying this article shows the way these window shutters have been opened to allow light to penetrate the room whilst keeping lower slats closed for privacy. This is the perfect solution for many homes where they look over other houses or have pavements in close proximity. These particular shutters are coined as ‘cafe style shutters’ and were installed in London.

So, to summarise so far we have:

• excellent light control
• potentially added security
• added privacy
• easily cleaned
• years of service if maintained

Not a bad start for reasons to use plantation shutters for your windows!