Category: Shutter Guides

Choosing the right louvers

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

The function and appearance of window shutters is determined by a number of different factors, with most features of the shutter serving a purpose while adding to the aesthetic of your room. The louvers (sometimes known as slats) make for a major part of the window shutter panel, running horizontally between the stiles on each side of the frame. These have several functions, allowing you to adjust the intake of light and air, regulate the temperature in any room, guarantee privacy from the outside world, all while giving your shutters a neat and smooth look.

Given their importance, those looking to bring shutters into their own space need to decide what they want the louvers to look like and how they want them to work before making a purchase. This process involves considering factors such as the colour, size, and purpose of the louvers, and choosing the louvers that are going to work best for your needs. As you read this article, think about what those needs are and hopefully you can bring your ideas to a professional – then it’s time to sit back and watch your dream shutters come to life!

Choose your size

The size of your louvers will influence not only on their appearance, but their functionality too. Whether they are thick or thin determines the level of light, privacy, ventilation, and insulation that your space enjoys. Likewise, larger louvers ensure a less restricted view when opened, whereas smaller ones may obstruct your eyeline when looking outside (for better or for worse). Please note that when we refer to the ‘size’ of your louvers, we are talking about their width; their length will vary depending on the measurements of the frame and shutter panel.

Let’s now take a look at the different size of louvers on offer and the unique qualities of each. Just remember, there are no hard and fast rules as to which you should choose as it always comes down to a combination of personal taste and practical needs.

47mm

This is often the smallest available width for your louvers. Since these louvers are so narrow, your shutter will require more of them in order to fill the frame. As such, with louvers of this size, expect maximum levels of privacy and restricted levels of light – great for street-facing windows, bathroom windows, and windows that receive too much sunlight light at certain times of the day.

63mm

These louvers are popular due to their flexibility. They still give you some privacy when opened, but they let in far more light than the smallest available louvers. Not too big, not too small, 63mm louvers tend to be compatible with shutters of any size and shape in terms of aesthetics – that’s what makes them a go-to choice for many of our customers!

76mm

If you’re looking for a middle-ground between standard louvers and more adventurous louvers, 76mm louvers may be your safest bet. Simply put, they have all the benefits of 63mm louvers, only with a subtle aesthetic difference. Perhaps your window just calls for slightly wider louvers, or perhaps you’d prefer wider gaps so that you can appreciate a well-kept garden.

89mm

Louvers of this size are decidedly bigger than average. They allow more light into your space, while still offering privacy (when slightly tilted). There is also a major difference in appearance, one that you cannot achieve with smaller louvers. They give your window more room to breathe: drawing the eye beyond the shutters, accentuating certain design features such as leadlights, and perhaps opening up a picturesque view.

114mm

For most manufacturers and suppliers in the industry, 114mm is as wide as louvers come. Although these offer the least privacy when opened, they also bring in the most amount of light; indeed, tilting louvers of this size often has a similar effect to opening the shutter panel itself. Given these effects, 114mm louvers are often best suited to dark rooms, big and tall windows, and interiors with a sense of drama to the design.

Choose your look

Think about the size and shape of the shutters you want when choosing the right louvers. Smaller designs look best with fewer louvers as this prevents them from looking too cluttered, and the size of the louvers should be kept in proportion with the overall size of the shutter (simply ask your shutter specialists which size of louver would look best for your chosen frame). Indeed, anyone who favours a minimalist look should keep the number of louvers to a minimum, because fewer louvers means fewer lines, and too many lines are the death of the minimalist. Keep it clean and smooth by using larger louvers that make your shutters look far less busy.

With larger window styles – such as bay windows, floor to ceiling windows, and french doors – the end result often looks more appealing when the window shutters have wide louvers. Why? Because small louvers on large shutters can make the panel look cluttered and unmeasured, with simply too much going on. Moreover, they don’t seem practical for windows of this size, which are usually built to fill a space with light: small louvers would limit this great light source, reducing huge pools of light down to narrow strips.

If you’re sold on the idea of introducing some gorgeous new shutters into your home, feel free to get in touch with the friendly team at Diamond Shutters.

Do window shutters reduce noise?

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

Every house comes with its small annoyances. From bath tubs that are just a little bit too small, to cold draughts running through each room, to bedrooms with a distinct lack of storage space. But one problem that many homeowners encounter – especially those who live in busy cities – is loud noise coming from outside their home. Those with houses on or near a main road will know all too well the irritating sound of passing cars that runs all through the night. Likewise, people who live in commercial centres and shopping districts may have to deal with the commotion of passing shoppers in the day and noisy revellers through the night.

How should you go about eliminating this source of annoyance? If you haven’t already, upgrading your window panes to double or triple glazing has the benefit of reducing noisiness as well as insulating your home better. But loud noise isn’t just a symptom of thinner windows – there are many solutions offered up by the world of window coverings too. Unfortunately, curtains and blinds are not the best for blocking out noises from outside as they are often too light-weight and loose-fitting to form an adequate barrier. As a result of these problems, customers often come to Diamond Shutters seeking a better solution to their noise issues, asking us the fundamental question: do window shutters reduce noise?

In this post, we’ll be answering this question with a resounding “yes” by outlining exactly how window shutters reduce noise in the home and exploring some other benefits too.

Say no to noise

By installing window shutters in your home you can expect to experience less noise coming in, especially if you fit them to your street-level windows. No more noisy neighbours, passing traffic, or loud music will be invading your space and compromising your peace and quiet. Indeed, shutters are known to have great soundproofing qualities. With thick and durable louvers, materials that reflect and absorb noise, and frames that form a tight seal against your window, shutters will significantly reduce the overall noise levels in your home.

Compare this to other window coverings such as curtains and blinds. Blinds are lightweight, often made up of thin and flimsy materials that are incapable of blocking out as much noise. Curtains may be slightly thicker, but they leave large gaps on all sides of your window frame, thus allowing unwanted noises to pass through. A quality pair of window shutters, however, leaves much less room for noise to seep into your home. And they’re incredibly versatile too: adjustable louvers allow you to let in a small amount of light or air without introducing unwanted noises into your home and ruining your sense of serenity. It truly is the best of both!

Which shutters are best for reducing noise?

So which window shutters should you buy if your main priority is to eliminate unwanted noises? Ultimately, since all shutters are made from thick materials and can be fully sealed by louvers, each type will help reduce noise to some extent. Nevertheless, there are some styles which are perhaps better suited to houses surrounded by irritating noises. Consider using solid shutters, which are comprised of solid wooden panels and leave no room for noise to enter your home. Historically, these shutters were used in Victorian homes specifically to block out outside noise, as well as to deter burglars and insulate the home in times when window panes were thinner. Those looking for window shutters that block out noise while offering more flexibility might prefer full height shutters, which allows more control over light and privacy with the addition of louvers.

The only window shutters that we would not recommend for homes with noise problems are café style shutters. These shutters leave the top of your windows exposed so that you can enjoy good lighting and privacy at the same time, although this may have the unfortunate side effect of letting in more noise than desired. But there is an alternative for those who want a similar style: tier on tier shutters incorporate two separate shutters on top of one another in a single frame, allowing you to open up one half while keeping the other closed. Just like café style shutters, they give you the flexibility to control light and privacy, only with the added option to close the upper half of your shutters when it gets too noisy outside.

For more information and guidance regarding window shutters, please feel free to get in touch with the Diamond Shutters team and we’d be delighted to help.

How much do window shutters cost?

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

Shutters are an appealing design feature to many homeowners looking to refresh their windows, bringing a sense of elegance to any space. Made to measure window shutters come in a range of different shapes and sizes, a wide spectrum of colours, and in a selection of continental and colonial styles. However, some prospective buyers are hesitant to put down money on window shutters because they are under the impression they will break the bank. Which begs the question: how much do window shutters cost? Does a new set of shutters really come with that hefty a price tag?

What determines the cost?

Like any kind of interior design project or refurbishment, the price of window shutters depends on a number of different factors. That is to say, different suppliers will charge different prices, shutters of different sizes and styles come with different price tags (MDF is cheaper than wood, for instance), and the time and effort required to manually install your shutters also affects cost. As such, customers must contact individual companies with their requirements and preferences in order to get quotes for the total cost of both the product and its installation.

Exactly how much window shutters will cost, therefore, is difficult to say without generalising. For reference, just know that the cost of buying and installing a single MDF shutter on a simple double hung window will be very different to the costs involved in fitting a series of premium wooden shutters to a large bay window. At Diamond Shutters, we always guide our customers from their initial requests, through the process of choosing and measuring their window shutters, to installing them perfectly in their homes. Sure, it might appear to be quite a lot of work at first. But given the bespoke quality of the final product and the personalised process leading up to it, most customers end up having no regrets – and that’s in terms of both designs and costs!

Oh, and if you’re looking for a ballpark figure (although you’re better off just asking for a quote!), expect to be paying somewhere in the region of £250 – £350 per square metre of shutter (including VAT and fitting costs).

0% finance

Here at Diamond Shutters, we have some good news for those looking to buy some beautiful window shutters on a budget – or perhaps those who love a good bargain when they see one! As well as having over 25 years of experience in the business, a wide range of shutters on offer, and a great team of reliable experts who take pride in their work, we also offer 0% finance on all of the window shutters we sell. This allows you to pay for your shutters in 6 or 12 month installments without spending a penny on interest. By completing registering your purchase on the Duologi  portal through our website and paying a 25% deposit, you can spread out the cost of your brand new shutters and easily apply for our 0% finance deal. It’s the best way to get your dream shutters measured and fitted with no fuss and amazing service to boot.

If you have any questions about our financing, or if you’re sold on the idea of introducing some gorgeous new shutters into your home, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team.

Choosing the right colour for window shutters

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

Pinning down the right colour for your window shutters can be a big decision in terms of design, especially given the influence shutters have on your interior as a whole. Shutters define a space (whether a living room or a bathroom), so it is of utmost importance that you get it right. However, this will take a lot of planning, a hint of inspiration, and some advice from the experts. As a company who lives and breathes window shutters, we consider ourselves those experts, so in this post we are going to advise you on how to pick shutter colours for your home.

All in all, this process requires thinking about which colours are most often used for shutters, which elements of your interior you’d like to complement, and how best to keep up with the design and decor that defines the rest of your interior. Let’s start with an important question…

Which colours are popular with shutters?

Each type of shutter comes with its own selection of colours, and as such certain colours are more popular with certain kinds of shutter. For instance, Phoenix shutters are often paired with light shades of brown while Boston shutters are primarily seen in a selection of white tones. Practically speaking, if you would prefer to go for a ‘safe’ colour with your shutters, take a look through our gallery to get an idea of the colours previously used by our customers. All in all, white and wooden tones are the most popular choice of shutter colours, not least because such colours are incredibly versatile, more likely to blend into any interior regardless of colour palette.

But you don’t have to go with neutral tones simply because they are more popular with the average consumer. The range of shutters available on the market today is more diverse than most think – there are colours for all interiors, all palettes, and all personal tastes. So why not make a statement out of your shutters and pick a more bold and standout colour instead? Those looking to strike a contrast with their shutters and make them stand out against their interior should look toward those bolder colours (e.g. cherry reds, black walnuts, golden oaks). Dark-coloured shutters are less common than whites and browns but they can certainly pack a punch when contrasted with minimal interiors, and they fit like a glove into more urban homes. Bold and brazen colours not your thing? Try staining wooden shutters with a soft finish to accentuate the natural qualities of the grain and bring an element of authenticity to your space.

How to pick shutter colours that work

The shutter colours you choose often comes down to two things: your personal taste and the room itself. Just as every person has different preferences when it comes to their interiors, every room demands a different set of colours, textures, and patterns. The main question is: do you want your shutters to blend in with such features or stand out against them and work as a kind of statement piece? The versatility of shutters gives them room to fit both of these purposes, with the ability either merge or contrast with almost any interior. Just make sure you choose the colour that works best for your desired look. Alongside the form and material of your shutters, their colour and finish determines the prominence they have within your space.

More than any other feature, your walls establish the overall colour scheme within your interior. As such, the exact colour of your window shutters is largely dependent on the palette set out by the tones and shades that make up the walls surrounding your windows. With kitchen shutters, consider the colour of your units, countertops, island, and floor before settling on a colour. Likewise, the colour palettes in dining rooms and living rooms are often set out by furnishings, flooring, and decorations. In the bathroom, look toward the colour of the sink, the bath, the tile. Whatever space you are dealing with, you should figure out the overarching colour scheme before deciding which colour your window shutters will be and how they will function in the room – you just need to look in the right places to work it out!

The style of interior you’re dealing with is also an important factor when picking shutter colours. For instance, modern interiors usually look best when they feature a coherent palette of whites paired with clean lines and smooth textures. As such, contemporary shutters are often comprised of glossier materials like MDF or LVL, which can help foster a perfectly minimal palette when topped off with a white or beige coat. However, these modern and sleek colours can sometimes clash with the warm shades of brown that usually make up traditional interiors. Such designs are best served by shutters which come available in more ‘classic’ colours like wooden browns, elegant greens, or perhaps subtle shades of blue.

Can you paint your shutters?

Generally speaking, we do not recommend that you paint your window shutters. Why is that? Because it’s a job only for professionals (quite often, a job for machines) that most people will not have the necessary skills and experience to complete. Unless you’re like Da Vinci with a brush or like Banksy with a spray can, you will likely find it very difficult to apply an even finish of paint to shutters as they are very picky and complex in shape. Furthermore, paint can seep into the mechanism and stick very quickly (e.g. in between the louvers and the frame), so painting your shutters on a DIY basis has the potential compromise the functionality of your shutters.

But this should not pose any problems for those who know which shutter colours they prefer. Shutters come in a wide range of custom colours, more than enough to suit your personal taste, so the only problem you may encounter when getting the right colour is being spoilt for choice! For instance, here at Diamond Shutters we have a spectrum of wood finishes from golden oak to black walnut. In addition, we have a vibrant selection of paint tones encompassing every shade of white imaginable (for all you clean-cut minimalists out there). So get browsing, because whatever colour you end up choosing we are bound to stock an exact match!

For more information and guidance regarding interior window shutters, feel free to get in touch with the Diamond Shutters team and we’d be delighted to help. We’ll even guide you through the process of how to pick shutter colours that are perfect for your home and personal tastes!

Do window shutters block out light?

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

At Diamond Shutters, we consider interior shutters to be one of the best and most versatile window coverings available. They’re modern, attractive and created to fit the needs of customers, no matter the style of their homes. Despite this, one of the questions most frequently asked by prospective buyers is: do window shutters block out light?. It’s understandable as to why people might think that shutters will let light in. There are small gaps between the louvers of shutters that many people assume will allow a lot of light to pass through.

When asked if our window shutters will block out the light, and how much light can be blocked, the answer often varies. However, as a general rule of thumb, shutters will block a substantial amount of outside light from coming into a room.

Will they block out light?

First things first, it’s important to remember that it’s almost impossible to completely block out all light unless your room has no windows or doors. With that said, despite the slight gaps between the louvers of our shutters, they actually provide better blackout capability than the majority of Venetian blinds and lightweight curtains.

When fully closed, window shutters block out a surprisingly large amount of light. This is especially true for shutters with larger louvers. A shutter with larger slats can be used to flood a room with light when opened in the day, while also preventing most light from getting in when closed. As there are fewer slats in a shutter with large louvers, there are fewer gaps through which light can travel. However, if choosing shutters with thinner louvers, there is more space for light to travel in, reducing the blackout capability of the shutters.

Unlike blinds or curtains, shutters are built into a frame that is designed to fit and be sealed into your window frame. As such, there are no edges around the outside of the shutter itself that light could penetrate. With shutters, the only gaps to allow light into the room are those between the individual louvers. Therefore, they are an ideal option for those looking to limit the amount of light able to access a room, without investing in a more unattractive blackout blind.

For total darkness

You may require absolute darkness in a room during the day, but do window shutters block out light enough to meet your requirements? For shift workers and those with babies, interior shutters are still able to fit to your needs. For absolute darkness with shutters, we recommend incorporating a blackout blind into your window set up. Having a blind between the window and your shutters can help to make sure that the room gets as little light as possible. A combination of blinds and shutters will give you about as much blackout as you can get.

If you’re planning on combining a blind with your shutters, consider opting for white shutters. When made for the purpose of blocking out light, darker shutters can cause the room to feel smaller and gloomier than it actually is. This is especially true if you already have darker walls, flooring and furniture present.

Conclusion

Ultimately, despite a fairly common belief to the contrary, interior shutters do have the ability to block out light. When compared with many curtains or Venetian blinds, our shutters are actually the better option for decreasing the amount of light coming into a room. However, for a more substantial blackout effect, you could consider adding a blind or heavy curtain to your window for that excess light prevention.

For more information and guidance regarding interior window shutters, feel free to get in touch with the Diamond Shutters team and we’d be delighted to help!

Visible tilt rod vs hidden tilt rod

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

There are several factors to consider when incorporating new window shutters into your home. As well as deciding which type of shutter suits your home best, as well as the colour of your shutters and the size of the louvers, you must also decide whether or not you would like the tilt rod to be visible. But what is the difference between visible tilt rod vs hidden tilt rod? Is one of them more functional than the other? And which looks better from an aesthetic point of view?

Our customers often have questions along these lines, and we’d like to set the record straight. Of course, there are no right or wrong answers here as it comes down to personal preference, but we hope the following considerations will get you thinking about what you want from your new shutters before you make any purchases. In this post, we shall weigh up the pros and cons of both types of tilt rod, hopefully helping you settle the visible tilt rod vs hidden tilt rod debate.

Visible tilt rod

Pros:

  • Since classic shutters throughout history usually had the tilt rod on show, a visible tilt rod may suit the needs of those looking to introduce a more traditional feel to their home.
  • Not just restricted to the centre of your shutters, visible tilt rods can also be positioned to the left or right (next to the stiles). This opens your shutters up to a variety of different looks and feels should you dislike the centred tilt rod.
  • As they are right there in the middle of your shutters, visible tilt rods are easy to access and intuitive to use. Hidden tilt rods may confuse those guests or family members who aren’t used to the disguised mechanism.

Cons:

  • Visible tilt rods can make some shutters look too ‘busy’, especially when dressing a window that already has lots of ornamentation (e.g. leaded windows, grilled windows).
  • Since the visible tilt rod is such a conspicuous feature of window shutters, they can be tempting for young children to mess around with – this could lead to damage over time.

Hidden tilt rod

Pros:

  • Hidden tilt rods have fully functioning mechanisms disguised within the stiles of your shutters which allows them to open and close without any trouble (usually by rolling the tilt rod with the palm of your hand or physically moving the individual louvers).
  • Many think that shutters look alot more streamlined without a tilt rod cutting through the middle of the louvers, which makes the hidden tilt rod perfect for those minimalists looking to achieve a lack of excess and ornamentation throughout their interior.
  • The hidden tilt rod can prevent excessive lines from dividing the form of your shutters, especially when coupled with full height shutters and wide louvers.

Cons:

  • Since hidden tilt rods were not around when shutters came into fashion across Europe, the absence of a visible tilt rod may not be ideal for those who prefer more traditional designs and already have traditional decor in their home.
  • For many suppliers, the hidden tilt rod will come at an extra cost compared to the standard visible tilt rods that come with most shutters.

For more information and guidance regarding interior window shutters and their many benefits, please feel free to get in touch with the Diamond Shutters team and we’d be delighted to help!

The many shapes and sizes of window shutters

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

One of the main benefits of window shutters for many of our customers is their versatility, especially when compared to other window treatments such as curtains and blinds. Not only can the design of shutters suit a range of different interiors, they can also fit window frames of any shape and size, no matter how awkward they may seem. Arched windows? Circular windows? Large french doors? No problem. If you have a window with a unique design that has always been left without any decoration, we are able to craft some bespoke special shaped shutters that fit your window beautifully. In order for you to understand this versatility, here we will detail the many shapes and sizes of window shutters available on the market.

Arched shutters

Arched windows are among the more common geometric designs seen in home interiors, usually forming a separate panel above larger window or crown doorways as with certain transom windows. Such windows can be fitted with complementary arched shutters which can add an extra degree of interest to this stand-out design feature. Window shutters can be designed to fit many different types of arches, from the individual semi-circles seen atop regular windows to the more complex designs of norman windows.

The louvers can be fitted to create a gorgeous sunburst pattern (with the louvers spreading outward from the centre of the bottom rail) which makes for an eye-catching statement when coupled with some full height shutters. Alternatively, arched shutters can be designed with horizontal louvers that span multiple panels of different shapes – this has the benefit of giving your curved windows a more uniform appearance.

Louver sizes

One of the defining aspects of any window shutter is the size of the louvers (the adjustable slats that span across the width of the frame). Whether the louvers are spindly or thick depends on both the shape of the frame and your own personal tastes – rest assured there is a perfect size for all windows. The width of the louvers is one of the more important variants on your shutters, which usually ranges from 47mm to 114mm depending on the manufacturer.

The width you opt for will not only determine the look of your shutters, but also how much light and privacy they offer to your space. As a general rule, intricate windows require smaller louvers while expansive windows (bay windows and french doors) require larger louvers. Aesthetically speaking, smaller louvers suit more traditional interiors replete with plenty of exciting decorative elements, whereas larger louvers suit modern interiors with a minimalist edge (bigger louvers means fewer lines dividing the room).

Geometric shapes

Shutters can be designed and fitted to suit even the most distinctive shapes in window design. There truly is no shape too outlandish for the versatile designs of window shutters; they can easily accommodate a range of interesting geometric shapes including triangles, circles, hexagons, and trapeziums. Rather than diminishing your privacy and light control by leaving distinctly shaped windows undressed, special shaped shutters give you full control over these features while simultaneously improving the aesthetic of your interior.

For instance, porthole windows often present a problem for blinds and curtains as these dressings do not work with non-rectangular designs. But window shutters can be tailored to circular windows, with louvers shaped to fit the rounded frame like a glove while remaining completely functional. Likewise, since the windows in rooms with sloped roofs (i.e. gable ends) are often triangle or trapezium shaped, they are not compatible with dressings that require level headrails to work. On the other hand, special shaped shutters can fit perfectly into angled window frames while remaining completely functional.

French doors and wider openings

Larger openings can often be difficult to dress effectively without covering the beautiful window design with reams of drapery or dividing the room up with blinds. You can complement the existing design of your french doors and bay windows with some complementary shutters, measured and fitted to your particular requirements. Indeed, shutters are able to highlight the beauty of french doors while still providing adequate light, ventilation, insulation, and privacy. Your shutters can even be crafted in accordance with the specific shape of your french doors, with specially made gaps to ensure they do not cut across the handles.

These larger shutter designs are usually made with full-height panels with large louvers, although some use tier-on-tier shutters or café-style shutters with a mid-rail that separates the doors into two distinct panels. Whichever style you choose, your windows and doors are guaranteed to look special when adorned with bespoke window shutters.

For more information and guidance regarding interior window shutters, feel free to get in touch with the Diamond Shutters team and we’d be delighted to help!

The benefits of interior shutters for kitchen windows

Posted on by Diamond-Admin

Kitchen windows are typically quite difficult to dress. Most people opt for blinds or forego a window dressing altogether, and curtains are never a good choice in a room filled with various fluids and smells from cooking. Where should you go from here? Perhaps we’re biased, but we think that interior window shutters are the best solution for kitchen windows. They are well suited to the needs and requirements of any kitchen, as well as versatile in their appearance. So in this post, we will take you through the many benefits of using interior shutters for kitchen windows.

Light control

Ambience is an important factor in the kitchen, and shutters can introduce a natural glow into the room without the need for artificial lighting or concentrated task lighting. You can achieve a variety of different light configurations in your kitchen by adjusting your shutters depending on the time of day. Grace the room with delicate shimmers of light in the early morning, flood your room with light during the day, and block out light entirely at night.

No other window dressing allows such thorough levels of control: curtains and blinds must either be opened or closed, and even venetian blinds allow a significant amount of light through when closed. But interior shutters can always guarantee strict control over natural light while still ensuring privacy.

Timeless appearance

A beautiful kitchen is more pleasant to use on a daily basis, more impressive to guests when they come for dinner parties, and more attractive to potential homebuyers should you wish to sell your home in the future. Interior shutters offer a huge variety of patterns and colours to suit all designs, from traditional country kitchens to contemporary urban kitchens. Indeed, special shaped shutters are able to accommodate windows of any shape and size, from triangular windows to circular windows.

Shutters act as a statement piece in the kitchen, especially considering how most kitchen windows are either unaddressed or inadequately served by blinds. Furthermore, you can channel the atmosphere of traditional European restaurants and cafés by installing some café style shutters, giving your kitchen a timeless continental feel.

Ventilation

When there is a lot of cooking taking place, the kitchen can get excessively hot very quickly. This often makes it necessary to open up a window and let in some cool air. Furthermore, air filtration is important when the room is filled with various smells from cooking and cleaning.

Curtains and blinds make it difficult to ventilate your kitchen without compromising your privacy, as they must be opened entirely for air to filter through the window. However, shutters allow you to filter out these odours with ease while maintaining your privacy: you simply need to open the window and tilt the louvers until your kitchen smells fresh and pleasant.

Water resistance

A lot of moisture is present in the kitchen due to steam from the kettle, the hob, and the oven. This restricts the materials that should be used for window dressings. Fabric curtains will develop mould and mildew as they retain moisture, while certain types of blinds can sustain damage and warping when exposed to damp environments.

Eliminate the risk of warping and shrinking entirely by installing MDF shutters to your kitchen windows. This material has a plastic coating that is fully waterproof – you can even place them directly above the sink without any problems. Similarly, high-quality PVC shutters do not retain moisture and can withstand humid environments very well. Even wooden shutters are thick and durable, meaning that they resist moisture and repel dampness better than other wooden window dressings. Ask your suppliers or designers about their waterproof shutter options for the best deal.

Easy cleaning

The kitchen is known for being a somewhat messy space. Cooking can produce moisture, smoke, grease, as well as various clingy scents. As such, your kitchen should be decked out with furnishings and fittings that are easy to clean, as well as resistant to dirt and grime.

Curtains are typically not used in the kitchen as they can develop mould and stains when exposed to these various nasties, which means regularly taking them down for cleaning. Blinds are notoriously awkward to clean as they are quite flimsy, and they also need to be removed from the frame for a thorough clean. On the other hand, window shutters simply require a quick once over with a dusting cloth and perhaps a spritz of water. You don’t even have to take them down to get the job done properly, leaving you more time to enjoy your kitchen in all its glory!

For more help with your shutters get in touch with the Diamond Shutters team and we’d be delighted to help!