Shutters or Curtains

khw1

We have recently had our front windows replaced in our house. It's an early 20c terraced house, with two bays (think half a hexagon - upstairs and downstairs) and a single rectangular window upstairs. When we put curtains up before in the bays, we had John Lewis do a circular tracking rail, which wasn't cheap from memory. We are interested in shutters as a way of making the room more open. Are shutters, as a rule, much more expensive than curtains? It seems you generally buy shutters with installation, which I imagine increases the cost. We may know someone who can install them, so can you buys shutters alone (I think Swift may sell them). But broadly, would shutters be more expensive than fitted curtains - and I know I'm not giving measurements, but what would you expect to pay for three windows (the two bays are a decent size - three panes in each) with shutters - either fitted or not fitted?

Thanks! 

Kiran

I'm not sure about shutter prices but when I have looked they've been quite expensive, I have to say probably worth it but definitely expensive. In terms of curtains, you don't been to have a rail manufactured, you can buy bay pole kits. Be careful of the ones that come with perforated cuts in the back of the poles. The kits with the adjustable bends are much stronger. I've done 7 section bow windows with these and whilst they are time consuming they are solid once complete. It's worth putting a drop of threadlock into the angle adjusting screws once the angle is fixed 

FreeBear

Kiran said: In terms of curtains, you don't been to have a rail manufactured, you can buy bay pole kits.

Paid a visit to a local stainless steel fabricator - They bent some 25mm stainless steel tubing and welded fittings on, all for £80. I thought good value.

DullGreyGuy

Shutters have to be made for your window, you can get away with off the shelf curtains in most cases and they can be easily improved on by anyone with a sewing machine

Albermarle

It was a few years ago but I fitted an aluminium curtain rail in a bay, simply by carefully bending it into shape. Still fine many years later. It was a square bay so only two bends which probably helped.

khw1

Thanks, it seems like curtains may be the more flexible (aha) and cheaper option. If the price differential between curtains and shutters for three sets of windows is in the thousands then that's more than we can afford.

Kiran

FreeBear said:

Kiran said: In terms of curtains, you don't been to have a rail manufactured, you can buy bay pole kits.

Paid a visit to a local stainless steel fabricator - They bent some 25mm stainless steel tubing and welded fittings on, all for £80. I thought good value.

Definitely, if its an option this would be well worth it. 

Wicks

Have you thought about perfect fit blinds? We have used them in our last 2 homes and they do open the rooms, if that is what you are after. 

Quite cost effective and easy to DIY.  Just need to measure, measure, and measure again.

spo2

We priced shutters a during covid when doing some renovation and redecorating, and for our main living room window, quotes were coming in around £1000. So we decided against it and went for a large roman blind (we did not want curtains), as this was just for a "flat" window.
In another room with a bay, we went for wooden venetian blinds, a cheaper alternative to shutters but a similar look

happycakemaker

Hi 
i like this discussion as i am deliberating over what to use to replace my broken wooden venetian blind. 
My big question if anyone can answer is which would be warmer? 

Although i do need to consider the light issue as it can be a dark room in the winter, but very strong sun when it is low in the mornings and summer mornings, 

silvercar

happycakemaker said:

Hi 
i like this discussion as i am deliberating over what to use to replace my broken wooden venetian blind. 
My big question if anyone can answer is which would be warmer? 

Although i do need to consider the light issue as it can be a dark room in the winter, but very strong sun when it is low in the mornings and summer mornings, 

You could have half shutters, that cover only the lower half of the windows. That would allow light from the top half and maintain privacy.