5 FACTS ABOUT PLANTATION SHUTTERS

Plantation shutters are an incredibly popular yet costly window treatment. There’s lots of variations in the marketplace; some good, & some bad. Some companies have decided to ‘cash in’ on the popularity of shutters by undercutting their competitors, offering an inferior product at a lower cost. We’ve shared our tips to help remove the confusion.

1. WARRANTY

The warranty a retailer is prepared to put on their products speaks volumes. If one company has quoted you a high price with a 15-25 year warranty, it would clearly be a better product than the cheaper option with only a 2-year warranty. If you’ve been quoted on a ‘lifetime warranty’, ask for specific parameters on what is covered and what constitutes a ‘lifetime’.

2. TIMBER vs PVC vs ALUMINIUM

Timber, PVC & aluminium shutters all have their place in the market.

Aluminium shutters are great for outdoor areas and wet areas. However, they don’t perform well thermally.

Timber (or traditional plantation shutters) offer great thermal benefits. Certain timbers are forestry certified, meaning they’re ideal for the environmentally conscious. Timber shutters are perfect for heritage homes with out-of-square windows as they can be adjusted onsite if required. They are also great for large windows as they can be made to larger sizes than any other material. Timber is also great for creating shaped shutters for irregular windows. Though be warned; timber shutters should never be used in spaces with high humidity, moisture or mould as they will swell and rot from the core.

PVC shutters are thermally beneficial and cost-effective. They’re great in all areas of the home, including wet areas. PVC can be produced in a range of custom shapes for irregular windows, and look just as good as timber to the naked eye. Beware; PVC shutters are quite heavy, and therefore has some limitations. PVC shutters may require multiple panels to cover a large window or door, as the louvres can sag over a too-large expanse. Heavy PVC panels can also pull away from the hinges over time if made too big.

3. LIGHT CONTROL

No matter what a retailer may tell you, plantation shutters are not a 100% blockout product. While they block a large amount of outside light and offer complete privacy, there’s still a small amount of ‘light bleed’ around the blades.

4. NOISE CONTROL

Shutters offer some acoustic benefits, but won’t block out sound entirely. They definitely won’t assist in reducing echoes in a room like fabric treatments will. The only window treatments to effectively block out external sounds are fully-lined & interlined curtains.

5. THE ‘MADE IN CHINA’ TABBOO

‘Made in China’ is always a sticky subject. Most plantation shutters are produced offshore because of lower production costs and accessibility to workers and technology. Ask your retailer if they know anything about the factory their shutters are produced in. We only sell shutters produced in factories offering outstanding conditions and fair pay for all workers. They also have strict quality control standards to ensure a superior product.

DO YOU WANT THE BEST PLANTATION SHUTTERS ON THE MARKET IN YOUR HOME? CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH AND BOOK YOUR FREE IN-HOME MEASURE & QUOTE!