Have you got / would you get solid panel shutters?

benson1980

I installed solid panel shutters in our last house. Aesthetically in our opinion they do, and did, look really good- and nice to have something different to plantations. Practicality wise we found them fine. One regret I did have is not getting enough panel sections in one bedroom so when they folded back (three, so two one side and one the other), they were a bit unwieldy and stuck out a bit too far. When we did our next bedroom we had four panels so two each side that folded back on each other, which was much better.

The other reason we got them was soundproofing as we were by a busy road, and they did work well for that.

We’ve recently moved and we’ve gone for plantation shutters this time. They are more practical in terms of controlling light and privacy- which is just more what we needed for this house.

Some houses would suit the wider slats which is the other option with plantations to maybe look a bit different.

Overall, having had both- either style of shutter are really nice. I’ve bought all mine from the shutter store and diy’d fitting which is pretty simple to do. They do quite reasonable fitting charges as well though.

zoothornrollo_2

OK thanks for the replies. We've just moved in so the current blinds / curtains are what the seller kindly left us.
I'm just not keen on plantation shutters - plus, everyone's got them now, a bit like tattoos. 

benson1980

zoothornrollo_2 said:

OK thanks for the replies. We've just moved in so the current blinds / curtains are what the seller kindly left us.
I'm just not keen on plantation shutters - plus, everyone's got them now, a bit like tattoos. 

If you are happy with full dark, or full light, and nothing in between, then they are practical. I guess it depends what you use the rooms for and how much you need privacy, with some light. The solid shutters in our study weren’t great as I couldn’t block off the direct sunlight when working, without fully closing one side. Tier on tier would obviously solve that to a degree. You can also get part slatted and part solid.

I’d just be inclined to look at some online companies and galleries. I got a quote of around £1600 for plantation shutters for two bedrooms from a local trader. One was a box window in fairness…but online I got both rooms with solid shutters (which are more expensive) for around half that. Makes you realise how big the mark up is for a bit of measuring, ordering and drilling. We also got some really decent advice over the phone and you can send photos of your windows to them via email, and we certainly weren’t steered away from solid. We just got some impartial advice re: the drawbacks.

As also said, some of the online companies do the full service now which when I ordered our last shutters around 6 months ago, still would have worked out cheaper than the local recommended shutter company based on the above prices.

zoothornrollo_2

benson1980 said:

zoothornrollo_2 said:

OK thanks for the replies. We've just moved in so the current blinds / curtains are what the seller kindly left us.
I'm just not keen on plantation shutters - plus, everyone's got them now, a bit like tattoos. 

If you are happy with full dark, or full light, and nothing in between, then they are practical. I guess it depends what you use the rooms for and how much you need privacy, with some light. The solid shutters in our study weren’t great as I couldn’t block off the direct sunlight when working, without fully closing one side. Tier on tier would obviously solve that to a degree. You can also get part slatted and part solid.

I’d just be inclined to look at some online companies and galleries. I got a quote of around £1600 for plantation shutters for two bedrooms from a local trader. One was a box window in fairness…but online I got both rooms with solid shutters (which are more expensive) for around half that. Makes you realise how big the mark up is for a bit of measuring, ordering and drilling. We also got some really decent advice over the phone and you can send photos of your windows to them via email, and we certainly weren’t steered away from solid. We just got some impartial advice re: the drawbacks.

As also said, some of the online companies do the full service now which when I ordered our last shutters around 6 months ago, still would have worked out cheaper than the local recommended shutter company based on the above prices.

Thanks that's super helpful.
It was only getting the fitting right that was putting me off ordering online.
I assumed there would be clever ways of fitting that would suit a reveal / bay, as opposed to a window without.
For the latter for instance, how to fit them so they fold back as flat as poss, as opposed to sticking out into the room. While still closing fairly flush against the windows.
Best quote I got from orthodox suppliers was £1400 for the two windows - and that was significantly cheaper than all the other quotes.

benson1980

The shutter store sub contract out surveys and fitting. I seem to recall our quote for fitting when we got to checkout stage for four windows was around £400. Cost of shutters was £900. 

I didn’t think that was too bad….but survey wise it’s just running at tape measure at three points both horizontally and vertically. Bays are obviously a bit more tricky. They also talk you through your measurements, and photos of your windows, at point of ordering.

But…if you are getting the fitting service they come out and measure anyway I believe. 

In terms of protruding when folded back if you have four panels it won’t stick out that much.

zoothornrollo_2

benson1980 said:

The shutter store sub contract out surveys and fitting. I seem to recall our quote for fitting when we got to checkout stage for four windows was around £400. Cost of shutters was £900. 

I didn’t think that was too bad….but survey wise it’s just running at tape measure at three points both horizontally and vertically. Bays are obviously a bit more tricky. They also talk you through your measurements, and photos of your windows, at point of ordering.

But…if you are getting the fitting service they come out and measure anyway I believe. 

In terms of protruding when folded back if you have four panels it won’t stick out that much.

Yes that isn't bad at all!

For windows without any recess I was thinking they might have some sort of fancy double hinge that allows them to fold back flat. But apparently not. 

Jasonsmith13

Plantation Shutters are the perfect choice to finish a room we Hull Blinds they are made of basswood and are exspectional