Buying plantation shutters is one of the best decisions you could make for your home. They’re stylish and easy to use, without the tangle-prone cords that come with blinds, or curtains you’ll have to launder from time to time. But with so many kinds of plantation shutters to choose from, a guide on how to buy plantation shutters could come in handy.
Here are five things to consider when buying plantation shutters. It’s up to you which properties you’ll want to focus on the most.
Consider where you’re going to use them
The beauty of plantation shutters is that they’re versatile as well as beautiful, going well with just about any room in the house and looking just as great from any angle on the outside.
You might want to consider placing these shutters in the rooms or on the sides of the house that get the most sun. Also consider whether the shutters will be near plants or trees that may invite wasps or other insects to nest in the shutters.
You can even use plantation shutters on sliding doors and other doors as well as the windows.
Consider what the shutters are made of
Knowing how to buy plantation shutters means knowing the different materials they can be made of, because after knowing where you’re going to put them, you will now be able to choose the best kind.
If, for example, you plan on putting plantation shutters in the kitchen, bathroom or on a side of the house that is rained on the most, Ecowood plantation shutters will be the best choice. If you’d like to match the designer interiors of your living room or bedroom, you may want to go with timber plantation shutters.
Consider security and safety
Plantation shutters probably aren’t the first things that come to mind when you think of home security, but the good news is that shutters made from aluminium are effective in keeping intruders out. These shutters are also fireproof and lockable.
When it comes to safety, cedar shutters are naturally resistant to bacteria and microbes, while Ecowood plantation shutters are resistant to the rough and tumble activity of pets and children.
Consider cleaning and maintenance
Being easy to clean is another great reason to buy plantation shutters. All you have to do is shut the shutters completely, then wipe them off with a dry cloth, or vacuum one louvre or slat at time using the dry brush attachment. Work your way from top to bottom and don’t forget to clean the sill and the other side.
For deep cleaning aluminium or Ecowood shutters, use a damp cloth with a 50-50 mix of water, mild dishwashing liquid and white vinegar, and wring the cloth almost dry before wiping with it.
However, make sure you do not wet plantation shutters made from real wood or use cleaning products with harsh chemicals because these can warp or ruin the colour of the louvres.
To deep clean wooden shutters, use a soft cloth misted with lemon oil or furniture polish. For even deeper cleaning, use a 50-50 mix of tepid water and mild dishwashing liquid, and then rinse with a cloth dampened in pure water. Finally, dry the shutters well with a cotton cloth to make sure you’ve absorbed all the moisture.
It helps to dust regularly so that you won’t have to deep clean so often during an entire year, and to maintain the materials of your plantation shutters. You can also use an old toothbrush or a paintbrush to clean around the tilt rod mechanism and other hard-to-reach areas.
It’s also a good idea to lubricate your plantation shutters once a month or so to keep them easy to open and close. All it takes is a drop of lubricant or oil right on top of the hinge, then open and close the shutters a few times to allow the oil to seep all the way in.
Overall, treating your plantation shutters right, i.e. opening and closing them using the tilt rod and not the individual slats, or not forcing them open or shut, will extend the life of your shutters.
Consider installation
When you buy plantation shutters, you’ll want to make sure the people you’re buying from can also install the shutters for you. They should even be able to give you advice for fitting the shutters into unusually shaped areas such as under the roof or around corners or stairs.
In the unlikely event that a louvre or a slat becomes misaligned or needs to be replaced, or the mechanism needs to be adjusted, you should be able to get in touch with them easily for help.
A good place to buy plantation shutters will start with a free measurement and quote. Check out our range of plantation shutters at EHi, today.
EHi supplies & installs flyscreens, along with a wide range of home improvement products: Blinds, awnings, security screens, shutters, plantation shutter, wood shutters & grilles. These products form the focus of our government – backed apprenticeship, which we’ve recently named the Cert iii in BASS G™.