Updating your property with interior window shutters such as plantation shutters or solid shutters is a great way to insulate your home during cold winter months. Plantation shutters and solid shutters are not only visually appealing but they also help your home retain heat which is vital when the temperature drops. This helps saves money on fuel bills in the long run and means your home is cosy and snug whatever the weather. Plantation Shutters - click here to view our plantation shutters range
Solid Shutters - click here to view our solid shutters range
Plantation Shutters: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Plantation shutters are louvered panels which can be fixed either to the inside or outside of windows and doors. They originate from America in the period before the American Civil War and are popular in homes throughout the world.
Plantation shutters work in two ways. By moving the slats to a vertical ‘closed’ position it stops the heat escaping out through your window. They also guard against drafts by preventing the cold air filtering in from outside.
Keeping the cold out is one of the many reasons why people prefer shutters over blinds. They are also chosen for their striking looks and work well in contemporary style homes .
Styles of Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters come in three different styles: café style, tier on tier and full length. Whichever type you choose really comes down to personal taste.
Café style plantation shutters originate from French cafés and were used to create a cosy and intimate dining experience, while still allowing natural light to filter into the room. They are popular in kitchens and living rooms in both homes and commercial premises and offer a stylish alternative to net curtains. Café style plantation shutters come in a range of finishes including painted and natural wood. In terms of winter warmth, these are less effective in insulating your home than other styles of plantation shutter as they only cover half of your window.
Tier on tier shutters are a versatile window covering that are made up of two separate shutter panels, one on top of the other. This means that one set of shutters can be closed independently of the other to allow a high degree of control over the amount of light and ventilation entering the room. For example, the bottom tier can be switched to the closed position to give maximum privacy, whilst still allowing light to enter via the open tier at the top. Or both can be closed or left open, whichever you prefer. During winter months you can adjust your tier on tier shutters, to give you maximum insulation and light during the day by closing the bottom tier. Then as it starts to get dark, close both tiers for full insulation throughout the evening and night.
As the name implies, full length shutters cover the full length of the window. They are popular for their elegance and simplicity and provide a good level of insulation and protection from drafts.
Another type of shutters are solid shutters and we shall look at their benefits and appearance below.
Solid Shutters: What Are They and How Do They Work?Solid shutters were very popular in Victorian Britain. They have a solid insert instead of louvers and when closed, offer a high degree of insulation, privacy and security. Also popular today, they are well suited to both period properties and modern style homes.
Like plantation shutters, solid shutters will help to insulate your home from the cold weather as they create a physical barrier which covers the window pane. This makes them several more times effective than blinds at preventing drafts and keeping the heat in.
But improving your home with solid shutters or plantation shutters is not just about keeping out the cold. There are many other benefits to shutters and we will explore some of these below.
Other Benefits to Installing Interior Window Shutters
Solid shutters and plantation shutters add value to your home as they are an attractive alternative to curtains and blinds. They also provide excellent privacy and security, which is crucial during the dark winter months.
As well as keeping the home warm in winter, they work too keep the home cool in the summer too. Shutters can be used to screen out bright sunlight, keeping your home interior cool on even the hottest of days.
Both plantation shutters and solid shutters are far easier to keep clean than curtains, as all you just need to do is give them a once over with a damp cloth. Painted shutters shouldn't need repainting for years and there are also options available that require no painting whatsoever.
Plantation Shutters - click here to view our plantation shutters range
Solid Shutters - click here to view our solid shutters range
