Whilst primarily installed for privacy purposes, as well as the fact that they look fantastic, plantation shutters have a remarkable number of additional benefits when they are fitted in the home, especially during hot weather.

This is perhaps understandable, given that louvred shutters are believed to trace back to Ancient Greece where hot summers and heatwaves would have likely been relatively common.

Here are three ways plantation shutters keep homes cool during hot summer days and heatwaves.

Plantation Shutters Are A Solid Barrier

An adjustable louvre shutter system is much thicker than curtains, blinds and other soft window dressings.

This means that it is much harder for ultraviolet rays to penetrate into the home and generate heat, as it cannot easily pass through the shutter the same way it can pass through a window. 

This effect is maximised if your windows have a UV-resistant coating.

Plantation Shutters Reflect Heat Away

Added to this is that most plantation shutters are painted white or a particularly light shade, which improves their ability to reflect light away from the room.

Whilst white shutters are typically the result of tradition rather than necessarily practicality, they do provide an additional benefit in the same way a white roof does.

You can even adjust the reflective properties by tilting the louvres; whilst keeping them completely shut will bounce UV rays away, pointing them at an angle can also reflect them upwards and away or towards the upper part of your room if you want greater control of the heat in your room.

Plantation Shutters Create A Thermal Barrier

What makes plantation shutters unlike other forms of blinds or shutters is that they form a solid barrier between your window and the rest of your room, and when closed entirely, create a barrier that hot air struggles to penetrate.

It works in the same way double glazing works, stopping air movement and thus breaking the convection cycle.

A good night’s sleep is something all of us need. Often, the combination of life, work and health conditions gets in the way of it. 

Sleep deprivation or poor quality sleep can impact both our physical and mental health. Approximately a third of people in the UK have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, with severe impacts on their daily lives. 

How Does Light Impact Sleep?

One of the issues affecting sleep loss is light pollution through windows. Street lamps, security lighting, traffic and emergency services all contribute to light pollution at night in Brighton. 

Exposure to light affects our circadian rhythm, the body’s timing system that tells us when to wake and when to sleep. When artificial lighting is used at night our body thinks it needs to stay awake. 

Experts recommend enjoying natural light every day and reducing light exposure at night. Late-night screen use and bright artificial lighting can induce restlessness and we find we can’t get to sleep.

How Can Blackout Shutters Help You Sleep At Night?

With one in five of us simply not getting enough time with our heads on the pillow, blackout shutters can help optimise your sleeping environment.

Light pollution can leak around curtains and ill-fitting blinds, disturbing your sleep. Blackout shutters are an effective way to reduce light entering your bedroom. 

High-quality shutters are made to measure and installed to minimise any external light. Solid window shutters can block out light entirely.

If you prefer the visual appeal of a plantation shutter, a honeycomb blackout blind can be integrated into the frame. This allows you to regulate external light. 

What Other Reasons Are There For Installing Blackout Shutters?

A  Weekend Lie-In

When mornings become lighter in the summer, we can find ourselves wide awake far earlier than we want to be, especially on weekends. 

A blackout blind or shutters can allow you to have the lazy morning you deserve.

Night Shifts

People working night shifts have to contend with daylight and the additional noise of the world outside keeping them awake. Blackout shutters can help to reduce noise as well as light. 

Reducing Glare On Screens

A bonus of a blackout shutter is that when you’re not sleeping, it eliminates glare on screens for TV, gaming and laptop use. They’re perfect for home cinemas too. 

If you’re feeling sleep deprived, blackout shutters are a great option for getting the shut-eye you need.