“To louver or not to louver?”, that is the question. Well, it is one that our customers find themselves wrestling with. Indeed, people often ask us whether they should go for louvered shutters (also known as slatted shutters) or their solid counterparts. And the truth is, there is no right answer. While both are excellent choices, it very much depends on what you would like to get from a set of shutters.  So, to make things a little bit clearer for you, we’ve decided to take a closer look at both louvre shutters and solid shutters.

The Benefits of Louvred Shutters

Louvered shutters have lots of benefits that you simply don’t get with other window dressings. Their movable slats (or louvres) give you the ultimate control over light, privacy, and air flow. How much light management and privacy is afforded very much depends on the slat size. Our shutters come in four sizes: 64mm, 76mm, 89mm, and 114mm. When choosing slat size it is always worth remembering that the smaller the slat, the less light will come through when the shutters are opened. However, this also grants you more privacy. If you would rather play it safe, go for 76mm or 89mm.

Solid Shutters

Our solid panel shutters are a different proposition to louvered shutters. They’re available in all styles including Full Height, Café Style, and Tier-on-tier. When you opt for Tier-on-tier or Full Height, they also offer close to total blackout when closed. This makes them an excellent choice for those rooms that need a little extra darkness at night, i.e., bedrooms and nurseries. 

Furthermore, due to resembling the shutters of old, they work fantastically in homes that exhibit a more traditional aesthetic. Indeed, our solid shutters have rounded off the décor in more than a few period homes. That isn’t to say they aren’t perfect for modern homes, too! Whether it’s Victorian, Georgian, Modernist, or otherwise, you can’t go wrong with solid panel shutters.

The Best of Both Worlds

Are you still struggling to decide between these two gorgeous options? Well, how about a shutter that combines the two? Our half solid raised shutters feature solid panels on the bottom half, with louvre shutters on top. Elegant, practical, and something a little bit different. We’re sure you’ll love them.

If you’ve got any questions about made-to-measure plantation shutters, our shutter specialist team is always on hand to assist! You can call us for free on 0800 9700 800 or email hello@shutterlyfabulous.com. If you’re ready to take the next step? Book your free appointment today.

Plantation shutters are so loved by homeowners because they blend seamlessly with any décor and offer sleek aesthetics. This, along with their durability, makes them perfect for any room of the house. Shutters in bathrooms and kitchens will regularly come into contact with water, either via splashing or steam. This is always worth considering when making your choice of shutters. Luckily, we’re here to help.

Waterproof Plantation Shutters

Shutterly Fabulous’ range of plantation shutters includes a waterproof interior shutters option that is made of aluminium and coated in a thick, durable, and great-looking PVC Waterproof material. This makes them perfect for rooms in the house where increased exposure to water – both splashing onto them or via condensation – leaves other window dressing options liable to degradation over time. Curtains and blinds, we’re talking about you.

As well as the increased privacy they provide, shutters’ ability to control light and heat is unrivalled. Oh, and we have already mentioned the beautiful look and feel of plantation shutters, yes? And on top of all this, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that the waterproof window shutters in your kitchen or bathroom are made to last. If you’ve ever asked yourself ‘do shutters for shower windows warp?’ or been concerned about degradation, you’ll be relieved to know that with our waterproof window shutters, you won’t see cracking, peeling, or warping over time.

Waterproof shutters for bathrooms coated with this ingenious material are available in both full height and café style ranges. They’re also finished in a range of white paints, meaning that, as well as being designed specifically to withstand wet conditions, you won’t have to compromise on aesthetic choices, either – you’ll still have a huge range of options to choose from.

So, there you have it: waterproof plantation shutters for bathrooms that are immune to the effects of water. Your shutters will look beautiful for years to come, even when coming into contact with water. When combined with all the other benefits plantation shutters bring to your home, it’s a win-win in our book.

If you have any questions about shutters, our friendly team is on hand to help! Please call us for free on 0800 9700 800 or email hello@shutterlyfabulous.com.

While it might seem like there is a lot to it, our plantation shutters fitting service is fabulously simple. In just a few quick steps, you will go from shutterless to Shutterly delighted. And unlike other companies, we aren’t about upselling or the hard sell. Our Shutter Specialists are there to guide and advise, never to push.

So, what happens at one of our design consultations? We’re very glad you asked. 

1. We Show Up

Your Shutter Specialist arrives on the date and time you have pre-arranged with our friendly diary team. At Shutterly Fabulous we will give you an exact date and time, ensuring that you don’t have to wait around for us all day.

2. We Assess

The Specialist will come into your home, and you will show us which windows in the house need measuring. 

3. We Discuss

You will have a back-and-forth discussion, during which time your consultant will talk through your preferred designs and what shutter style might work best with your windows. This is always a great time to pick the brains of the Shutter Specialist. They are always happy to help and, of course, they are experts in their field.

4. You Decide

You will have a look at our range of design options from the Shutter Specialist’s kit bag. They will show you our different materials, slat sizes, tilt rod options, colours, and wood stains. At this stage, you will have a few choices to make. But don’t worry, our Specialist is there to help you make the best choice for your windows. If you’re still unsure, we can even quote you for a few different options.

5. We Measure

After you have decided on a design, the Specialist will take exact measurements – to the millimeter – of your windows. 

6. We Quote

Within 24 hours, you will receive your full quotation via email so that you can get to ordering. That’s right – we won’t need to call back until your installation! And remember, the price of your quote will include VAT, shipping, and installation. There are no hidden costs whatsoever.

To arrange an appointment with one of our Shutter Specialists, get in touch and one of our diary team will be happy to pencil you in. This can be done conveniently via our online booking portal or by giving us a call on 0800 970 0800. It’s as easy as that. 

So, there you have it. It really couldn’t be simpler. Book your on-site consultation today and we will show you just what shutters can do for you and your home. 

Whether you’ve made the decision to install plantation shutters or you’re just browsing, the chances are the first thing you think about is which style to opt for. Shutterly Fabulous offers a range of plantation designs such as full height, cafe-style and tier-on-tier shutters with a range of tilt rod options for ultimate practicality.

Continue reading the blog below to find out why tilt rods are an integral part of shutters.

What are tilt rods?

Tilt rods are slim poles that can be hidden on either side of the shutters or positioned horizontally on the slats to form part of the design so that the louvres all move at the same time and sit at the same angle. 

When are split tilt rods required?

In smaller shutter designs, there may be one tilt rod connecting all louvres, whereas for tall full height or large windows, split tilt rod plantation shutters may be required. This ensures that you can adjust the slats on the bottom and top halves independently. Please note that for shutters higher than 130 cm, a hidden split will be required.

Why are tilt rods important when it comes to plantation shutters? 

Well, plantation shutters without tilt rods would mean you’d have to open each louvre separately, meaning it would take much longer to adjust your shutters. 

Shutters are one of the most flexible window coverings, and this is due to the tilt rods allowing you to control light, privacy, noise, and heat with absolute ease.

Should I have a hidden tilt rod or not?

When it comes to shutter tilt rod options, Shutterly Fabulous offers 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 respectively. Shutters with hidden tilt rods, on the other hand, conceal the rods inside of the vertical side rail for a sleek and minimal look.  Simply move one of the louvres, and the tilt rod does the work to ensure all the other slats follow suit perfectly.

So, whether it is hidden, offset, or shutters split tilt rod, there will be something to make your home practical whilst adding to the aesthetic of the interior. Want to learn more? Give us a call on 0800 9700 800 or book an appointment via our easy-to-use website.

What are Shutter Frames?

Frames are the brackets that attach to your window recess and your shutters hinge. Plantation shutters without a frame are not possible because the frame helps both support the weight of the panels and to make sure they are aligned. There are also different shutter frame styles, but more on that later.

Don’t worry if you’re unsure about the different frame types; that’s where our Shutter Specialists come in. With their years of experience, they’re experts in designing the perfect shutters for all types of windows.

Why Frames Matter

While not always obvious to the naked eye, most windows are not perfectly level or square. Without a frame, the panels may not hang properly. This could mean having to sand them down or alter them inside the window recess to create a level surface.

However, because a shutter frame is a perfect square (or rectangle) with pre-installed hinges, they guarantee your shutter panels will align perfectly. Frames also have a metal plate that is aligned with a magnet in the back of the shutter panel. This helps keep the shutters closed.

Furthermore, with a light block extending behind the shutter panels, the frames work to reduce the amount of light coming into the room. Once installed, the outside edge of the frame is finished using decorator’s caulk. This gives the shutters a sleek finish.

What Are The Different Shutter Frame Types?

There are three main shutter frame styles: Z-frame shutters, L-frames, and Deco frames.

The subtle, square-shaped L-frames are by far the most common. They are ideal for windows that have an already existing trim, can be used for both inside and outside mount installations, and can extend the depth of the casing in windows that are not deep enough for slats to open and close.

Designed for inside mount only, Z-frames are ideal for windows that do not have an existing trim, or should you want a more polished finish. And because most windows are not perfectly angled, Z-frames are fantastic for hiding gaps between the plantation shutter frames and your window recess. With this kind of frame, our expert Shutter Specialists can use the smallest inside measurement possible to ensure a flush finish. Z-frames are also used frequently for both special shape windows – think arches, triangles etc. – and to cover rounded bullnose edges.

Deco Frames are used for outside mount installation only. Like Z-frames, Decos have a decorative look and work to hide any variance in your window’s recess. They also extend the depth of the recess, moving the shutters away from the glass. This means that you aren’t going to be restricted to the smallest slat size – even with a shallow recess.

Are Frames Always Four-Sided?

Actually, no. Shutters can come in both three-sided and four-sided frames. While we would almost always go with four sides – it offers the greatest level of stability and support – there are some exceptions to this rule of thumb:

• Café style shutters
  • This style covers the lower section of the window and generally benefits from having only a left, bottom, and right frame piece. For broader windows, we sometimes select a four-sided frame.
• Patio Doors
  • A bottom frame piece on patio doors can be a trip hazard, hence the need for a three-sides frame.
• Marble or Granite sills
  • Most people do not want to drill into their lovely, expensive sills, which is why we recommend a left, top, and right frame in these instances.

What about my tilt-and-turn windows?

If your windows open inwards, an inside mount shutter frame will most likely mean you cannot open your windows as normal. While some customers do opt for this because of the frame’s appearance, it is worth bearing in mind that the functionality of your windows will be affected.

Another option is to go for the outside mount frame. This means the frame sits on the wall outside of your recess and you will retain the inwards opening tilt-and-turn function.

What Materials Are Shutter Frames Made From?

At Shutterly Fabulous, all our shutters – including the frames – are made from a solid hardwood known as Paulownia. Lightweight, hardwearing, and easy to work with, it is a high-quality wood, ideal for making luxury shutters at an affordable price. The only exception to this would be our waterproof polyvinyl shutters, but we only recommend these in areas of extreme moisture or damp.

I Still Have Questions About Shutter Frames

No problem. Our expert Shutter Specialists will be more than happy to go through all things shutters during an on-site consultation – including shutter frame styles. And remember, they’re experts for a reason.

So, if you were thinking about DIYing your shutters, why not save yourself the time and hassle? Sit back, relax, and let us do all the hard work for you.

To request a visit, simply click on the “Book appointment” button at the top right of our website. One of our friendly diary team will then be in touch to get you penciled in.

Alternatively, feel free to send an email into hello@shutterlyfabulous.com.