If you are choosing a new set of shutters, you may wonder if the benefits of the kind you choose will be greater at some times of the year than others. However, there is no risk of that happening with half-height shutter blinds.

Sometimes known as café-style shutters, these shutters are designed specifically to offer the greatest flexibility. Of course, all shutters do this to an extent, because the louvers are all controlled by strings that you can pull or loosen to shut or open them, enabling you to control the amount of light coming in, as well as whether those outside can see in or not.

The second of these considerations covers the issue of privacy; there will be plenty of times you need them closed, especially if your home faces straight out onto a street, as opposed to a situation where you may have more cover from prying eyes, such as having a garden with a hedge between you and the pavement.

However, at this time of year, you may think more about the effect of the light. This particular kind of shutter, when facing due south, will allow unfettered illumination to pour in through the window when the sun is high in the sky, as it is in summer. The sun is too high to dazzle, but floods the room with lots of lovely light and warmth.

However, when the sun is low, the shutters can either be opened to let the sun in or closed to keep it out. Here in Sussex, the December sun can drop to below 16 degrees above the horizon even at midday.

The benefit of shutters is that they allow the flexibility to deal with two weather scenarios; if it is cloudy, which is normal, you won’t get dazzled by the sun, but you can benefit from keeping the blinds open so you maximise the little light that there is. By contrast, when the sun is visible at this time of year it can be dazzling, making closing the blinds necessary.

Such flexibility means that, whether it is all about getting the amount of natural light you want or maintaining privacy, half-height shutters offer the best of both worlds.

With summer having well and truly ended, and the autumn chill starting to bite, the benefits of high quality plantation shutters change from keeping heat and the glare of the sun out of the room and keeping the warmth in.

Shutters are ideal for this because their relatively thick frame helps to create an additional barrier to stop heat escaping through the window, but this is not the only way they can help in winter.

For example, with condensation, damp and mould a concern for many over the winter months, ways and measures to reduce condensation forming on the windows are ideal, and shutters can really help in this regard.

For example, it is important to ensure that air is circulating around the home as much as possible to avoid condensation, but the potential for a sudden chill can often give homeowners pause.

A louvred shutter solution gets around this by providing an added layer of protection, allowing you to open your windows slightly without worrying about the cold. Allowing just a tiny amount of air can make all of the difference when it comes to air quality, condensation and avoiding mould.

Additionally, having a relatively consistent indoor temperature avoids the cold snap conditions that can cause a lot of condensation to form, and this is something that well-fitting shutters can help with.

They work in the same way as a draught excluder, stopping heat and energy from easily escaping, which not only helps to prevent condensation and by extension damp, but also helps to reduce heating bills in the process.

Finally, unlike curtains and cloth blinds, shutters are made from strong solid materials with moisture-resistant coatings, meaning that a simple wipe is sufficient to effectively maintain them.

Curtains and cloth blinds can get damp and can even potentially develop mould in particularly suboptimal conditions, which generally means they need to be replaced.

You don’t have to venture overseas to see café-style shutters, although you will undoubtedly encounter them many times in some continental destinations. But you can see them here too; after all, it adds to the vibe of many a Sussex seaside café.

If you are a café owner, you may think of installing them to add style and character to your establishment. But there is no reason to assume they are only for cafes. They can look great in homes as well and also have lots of practical benefits.

By allowing unobstructed views (and light) through the upper window but enabling you to restrict these (or eliminate them altogether) lower down, it is great for managing privacy.

This can be particularly useful for a ground-floor window that faces straight out onto a main road, with a lot of people walking or driving past, especially in a densely populated area like the central parts of Brighton and Hove.

With these in place, you won’t have to worry about strangers peering through the window, which may also aid home security. It’s an extension of the same principle that someone eating or drinking in a café won’t want strangers disturbing them from the street outside.

Because café style shutters are also extremely stylish, they are also versatile in the sense that they look great in all windows. And with this comes practicality too, as they can be installed in just about any configuration, from bay windows to flat ones, from tall to square.

None of this alters the historical reality that cafe-style shutters were originally invented for exactly that reason. But when you have something this versatile, why restrict it to just one setting? Many householders who have them in their homes will agree that you don’t need a till, tables and a selection of cakes in the room to it suitable for them.

When redecorating your bathroom, there are so many fixtures and fittings to consider, you might not even think about how to dress the windows until the last minute. Although it can be tempting at this point to opt for the safe choice of blinds, it is worth opening your mind and thinking of wooden shutters instead.

This is because there are so many benefits of choosing shutters for your bathroom, starting with being able to control privacy in this personal space. As shutter slats can be open either partly or fully, homeowners can easily alter the exposure they want through their windows.

Café-style shutters are particularly ideal for this, as the top part can be kept open to allow light into the room, while the bottom half can be closed when one is changing or in the shower. This also enables homeowners to control the amount of light in the room, which is particularly useful in a small or dark bathroom.

Another benefit of shutters in bathrooms is they are easy to clean. They simply need wiping down when they become dusty. They are known to dry quickly, preventing them from deteriorating in the moist air. This is unlike blinds, which easily become damp and, therefore, end up mouldy in humid washrooms.

Although many people would think wood is not the best material for bathrooms, many shutters are now water-resistant and are made with co-polymer coating, which means they can last a long time in moist conditions.

 

Check out our full height window shutters in Brighton by taking a look here.

An article for London Post recently explained why light is such a key element of interior design. The publication noted that the best place to begin is by maximising the natural light you get in your home.

While big windows are obviously a great design feature from this perspective, all is not lost if you don’t have large windows in your home. Instead, you can use mirrors and lighter shades on your walls and floors to maximise the natural light that does enter your rooms.

Of course, you may also want to block light out at certain times, or to simply have some privacy in certain rooms, in which case you’ll need some kind of window covering. The news provider suggested that you are creative in how you approach this element of your interior design.

For example, you might find that half height shutter blinds in Brighton are more in keeping with your decor and that they give you your privacy without blocking all the natural light from your space.

Another design trend that relies on natural light is biophilic design. This refers to designing our interiors to make them feel closer to nature and the natural world in general. Naturally, maximising the daylight in a space is part of this process.

Living etc also noted that the colour green is an easy way to introduce the concept of biophilic design into your home, pointing out that even the simple act of adding more house plants to a space “will create a more calming, harmonious environment”.

Shutters in Sussex have never been so easy.

When it comes to shutter colours you really can have it any which way. You’ve got your whites, off-whites, creams, greys, and wood stains. That’s without even mentioning the hundreds – maybe even thousands – of colour matching options available. Here at The Brighton Shutter Company we like to keep things simple. So, to help you out we’ve compiled a short list on why white shutters are a great choice.

1.   Simple, but effective

We get it. You’re looking for that elusive “Wow Factor” the moment you walk into the room. Maybe you think that white isn’t a bold enough choice. However, there’s a reason that white is our most popular colour. By choosing white shutters, you’ll get a simple look with a huge impact. Apart from bringing a fresh feel to a room, it will evoke feelings of tranquillity and relaxation. Sounds great, right? We couldn’t agree more.

2.   It will go with any décor

Our customers often tell us that the most difficult thing for them is choosing the perfect shutter colour to go with their existing décor.  Nowadays, most homes have white windowsills. The same goes for skirting boards, door frames and cornices. If you’re worried about a colour clash, then why not go for the tried and tested? Not only this, but if you’re starting from scratch, or undergoing a complete renovation, your white shutters will serve as the perfect neutral focal point to build around, no matter the look you’re going for. Simply put, white is a classic choice, and its adaptability means it will never go out of style.

3.   It’s incredibly versatile

When we say white, we don’t mean one shade. As any interior designer will tell you, there are tonnes of different shades of white. Indeed, these different shades will have different effects. If you are opting for a clean, modern and minimalist look, then our Pure White is the perfect choice for you. If it’s a more traditional look that you are going for, then you’ll want to go for one of our warmer shades. Silk White or Shell are both great options

4.   Brighten up your Living Space

If you want to add more light into a room, then there is no better choice than white shutters. It can serve to add freshness and lighten up the atmosphere of any space. It also works just as well in summer or winter, so even the gloomiest of rooms can be illuminated.

5.   It’s practical

While we’re massively into style, we don’t skimp on the substance either. Apart from looking amazing, white can have a maximising effect on a room, making the space seem larger than it is. If you have a room that feels just that little bit claustrophobic, then some beautiful white shutters are sure to open up the space. Why knock down a wall when you can shutter a window?

So, why not see for yourself? Whether your windows are big or small, square or circular, recessed or otherwise, our service is always designed for you. Let us show you how white shutters can improve your home. Call now on 01273 232 091 or book on an appointment below.

Some useful links for more colours are Farrow and Ball or Dulux Trade. We can colour match to both of these colour palettes.