We recently had tier on tier wooden shutters fitted in a bay window at the front of our home and I couldn’t be more pleased with the finished result. We bought our window shutters from California Shutters, and had long debated about blinds and shutters and which of the many available shutter options would suit us best. In the end, we opted for white wood tier on tier shutters, with hidden split tier to give us more flexibility on how much light we enter into the room.
If you’re considering wooden window shutters for your own home – here are some of the pros and cons to consider.
Benefits of Window Shutters
Privacy – one of the big advantages of shutters over curtains or blinds is that they can offer a lot more coverage and privacy without blocking out the light. When having the shutter slats angled or tilted I can see outside and have a good view of the street outside, whilst shielding some of the view into my property from the drive. As a somewhat nosey neighbour, this is ideal! Where as we previously would have had to pull back our curtains in order to eat in privacy at the dining room table, we can now simply angle the shutters to shield the view whilst maintaining lots of natural daylight.
Kerb Appeal – There is no doubt that shutters look great – and not only from the interior! The kerb appeal of shutters is really high, and they can really make the outside of your home look fresh, modern and clean. We have had lots of positive comments from neighbours and friends who have been really impressed with the way the shutters look from the outside.
More control of light – Having lived previously with very thick heavy curtains I basically had one of two options – fully open, or fully closed, meaning if the sun became too bright my room simply descended into darkness! Now I have the option to have the shutters fully opened and pushed back, angled slats, closed slats and with three different points at which I can open and close the slats, I can have some open and some closed depending on where I am sat. We purposely went for tier on tier with a split tier on the bottom half – this is because I am currently working from home at my dining room table, and it allows me to block out the potential glare on my screen by shutting the lower half, but maintaining daylight by leaving the top half open.
Can fit almost any window – Even if you have the worlds strangest window, window shutters and plantation shutters can be made to measure and fitted to pretty much any space. Unlike curtains which could have light leaking in from the sides, shutters offer complete coverage and almost black out feel once closed.
Energy Saving – In winter, the shutters can create an additional bit of insulation for your home, reducing heat loss from even the best of double glazed windows. In summer, with the windows open behind the shutters, you can benefit from increased air flow and a breeze through your home without the unwelcome addition of insects, wasps or bugs finding their way in too!
Cons / Negatives of Window Shutters
The Cost – The obvious negative or con of window shutters has to be the cost, in that there are obviously cheaper window covering options available including blinds and curtains. That said, in my own experience, they have made such a huge difference to the aesthetic of our room that I was more than happy to pay the extra cost. You can bring the cost down my measuring your space and fitting them yourself, however if your window is complex in nature or has any irregularities / non consistent measurements, then you may find that this is a risky option. We personally opted for the fitted service, despite having a partner who was DIY savvy, because we wanted to reassurance of guarantees if something went wrong during the fitting.
Long Lead Time – If you have just moved into your new home and are looking to cover your windows quickly, then window shutters probably wont be for you. We booked our shutters just after the Suez Canal blockage, but even that aside with much of the finished wood coming from China, you are likely to be looking at a ship frieght lead-time of anything between 8 and 16 weeks. Some companies also have order shut off dates for fitting prior to Christmas.
Restricted View – It goes without saying that shutters do block out some of the visibility unless they are opened wide, If you live opposite the most picturesque of views that you love waking up to each morning then curtains may be a more suitable option as you can open these wide during the day and have the freedom of an entirely unrestricted vantage point. With a light airy room we weren’t concerned about shutter frames themselves blocking out light, but if you have a very dark room or dark walls, it is something to bear in mind.
Dust – Like any blind or slatted window covering, they do require a clean and dust every now and again. We found the best way to clean any sticky finger marks (kids!) was with unscented baby wipes or simply a damp cloth.
Kids – Last but not least, and this may be a bit of a strange con, but for children; initially at least, the pull of a shutter slat is pretty strong and they couldn’t help but touch them, opening the shutters, tilting the slats etc and we had to have some strong words about LEAVING THE WINDOWS ALONE. 😀 Hopefully the novelty will wear off soon.
Overall, we are really really pleased with our shutters from California Shutters and they have really transformed and brightened up our living space. If you have any questions about our personal experience please ask away! 🙂
Lucy x