Forum Topic

Window shutters instead of curtains ...

Any advice?  Where to buy?  Cheers,

Sarah Felstead ● 2393d10 Comments

Hi Sarah, you might put this thread on the Chiswick site as I think a few of our illustrious neighbours have had shutters fitted and might know the best place.Good luck.

Keith Iddon ● 2296d

I don't see how Plantation style shutters can make a room 'a lot darker' when they're folded back. Even when the panels are closed, the adjustable slats give a range of light effects, from closed and dark to open and sun dappled. When used 'tier-upon-tier' or 'cafe style' these shutters can also cover the bottom half of a window for privacy while leaving the top clear, which curtains or blinds can't readily do. Years ago we used to import these shutters and sell them mail order as a DIY product, but nowadays most companies offer a 'complete service', which includes measuring and fitting, which costs a lot more.  I'm sure a set of made to measure curtains, including fitting, to a bay window, can cost quite a lot as well.

Peter Evans ● 2296d

I'm in the soft furnishing industry and regards your snapping curtain hooks use metal hooks instead they'll last forever. As for cleaning I highly recommend NOT dry cleaning and using the vacuum on a low to mid range power setting if you can and using the upholstery brush attachment. If lined or lined and interlined vacuum from the back first and then do the front as it is usually the pollution and general air dirt coming through the windows that makes curtains dirty. As for shutters they look good but make a room a lot darker with no option to lighten and can make restrict what you do with your windows eg opening

Paul Phillips ● 2297d

new thread on cw4.com

Philippa Bond ● 2377d

Such shutters will always have to be made bespoke and not off-the-shelf.John Lewis now provide a service.  Perhaps not the cheapest out there but a good benchmark on typical costs

Philip Coe ● 2382d

Anne and Philippa, I thought they might come in a bit expensive but not as much as they are proving to be!Tony, will check that site out.Thanks

Sarah Felstead ● 2385d

Thank you for your replies.  I seem to remember shutters being an off the shelf item in the big DIY stores, but not these days.

Sarah Felstead ● 2385d

we got some nice / unusual bespoke fretwork panels from the Jali website.  www.jali.co.uk .  A bit of a faff to measure up and select what's needed - but imo much nicer than the plantation shutters which often seem to look like they don't quite fit..

Tony Griffiths ● 2390d

I looked at them briefly but the cost was prohibitive.  I love the look and the idea of not having to struggle up a ladder dealing with snapping curtain hooks and dirty curtains. I'd like to know that they keep a room as warm as curtains. I'd want to see a few more pros before I indulged! I'm sure there are quite a few posts on the Chiswick website - if you can get the search facility to work.

Philippa Bond ● 2391d

I admired my new neighbours' shutters - they told me that they had got them from Plantation shutters. I phoned Plantation and gave the measurements of my front window (not overly large window with no side bits on a small Victorian cottage) and was told that the price was £500+ for cafe/bistro style shutters (i.e. ones which only cover the bottom half of the window) and £700+ for ones which cover the whole window. They have sent me details - this was some months back - but such was my surprise at the cost that I haven't looked at the email since. I think my neighbours paid £900.00 odd for a window with 'sides'. This all strikes me as rather expensive, nice as they are. You also need to consider how the shutters will fold back into the room and a couple of people have also said to me that they make the room darker although I'm not sure why this would be.

Anne England ● 2392d