Just like any interior design decision, choosing what type of shutters to get can be very tricky, as you will need to think about what suits the window and the room, and which style will let in the right amount of light. 

Tier-on-tier plantation shutters are one of the most popular choices, so read on to find out why. 

 

Versatile

Homeowners love this type of shutter because you can control how much sunlight to let into the room at any time. 

As the panels are independently operated, you can keep one completely closed while opening the other. 

This is great if you want to let in lots of light but also wish to retain privacy, as you can keep the bottom tier closed and while opening the top. 

 

Best of both worlds

They are also great for those who cannot choose between full-height or cafe-style shutters, as they can enjoy having both. 

When you want to keep the light out, you can have the privacy and seclusion of full-height shutters. 

Alternatively, cafe-style shutters can provide a much lighter, brighter space, as only half of the window is covered up. Tier-on-tier shutters can offer this by being used like cafe-style ones.

 

Great for bay windows

This is why homeowners choose tier-on-tier shutters for their bay windows. 

Those who have a couch or chairs in their bay window can still enjoy their own privacy without having to sit in darkness, as they can keep the bottom section shut while opening the top half. 

This is ideal for those with homes on busy streets, as they won’t want everyone catching sight of them watching TV, eating dinner or snuggling up with their partner as they walk past.

British homes are built for a temperate climate, especially older buildings such as the Regency properties that make up much of Brighton and Hove’s cityscape. But are they well suited to all the challenges we face today?

On the one hand, climate change is bringing hotter summers, even if this was only apparent here in June before the stubborn Jet Stream gave us a cold and wet July and locked in the severe heat to the south across much of Europe.

On the other hand, winter can still be cold and high energy bills make people more reluctant to turn it on in the autumn, while a lot of British homes are nowhere near as well insulated as they should be.

This is where shutters and blinds could come into their own, however, as they can be extremely useful for dealing with the extremes of heat and cold.

Responding to a recent Oxford University study that suggested Britain will need to do more than most countries to adjust to a changing climate, structural engineer Oliver Neve of Ramboll told PA news: “There’s an awful lot of work that has to be done within the existing (UK building) stock to prepare us for these climate changes.”

He said that blinds and shutters could be a great way of keeping heat out, noting these are commonplace not just in sunnier southern Europe, but even places like Lille in northern France with an “identical climate” to the UK.

At the same time, shutters can be very good at keeping heat in. This is particularly true for wood. Provided it is dry, it has very low thermal conductivity, which means it is a very good insulator.

That is important for helping keep the heat in during the evenings as the temperature drops in autumn. Indeed, if you are thinking about purchasing blinds or solid wood shutters now, you may be thinking more of the cold seasons ahead than what remains of summer.

However, over the lifetime of your shutters, there will be lots of hot days and cold days. That is why it makes sense to have something in place that helps keep the temperatures at a happy medium.

Whilst British summers have historically had a reputation for being somewhat literal damp squibs, the last few years have seen temperature records be beaten time and again, to the point that hot temperatures are becoming the norm.

The problem with this is that a lot of British homes are not designed to handle the heat, with research from the University of Oxford claiming that if temperatures continue to rise, there will be 30 per cent more days where cooling systems are needed to avoid falling ill, matching Switzerland for the biggest change in cooling demand.

However, the report suggests a range of potential cooling systems that could help keep the temperature down without relying too heavily on air conditioning systems, fans and other powered systems.

Whilst some of the systems such as radiant panels, improved ventilation, green roofs and ultra-white reflective paint are relatively new and currently quite expensive technologies, one surprising intervention that can help is the use of solid wood shutters.

In many respects, this is not entirely surprising; shutters and thick curtains have been used for a very long time to insulate houses, and insulation not only serves to keep heat inside a home during winter but can help to block the heat out during the summer months and avoid causing a greenhouse effect in your home.

A lot of homes in the UK lack either passive or active cooling systems, unlike other European countries which have similar or even cooler climates, but this report suggests that if these measures were to be adopted, Britain would be in a better place to tackle rising temperatures.

Wooden shutters are an attractive solution, alongside removing excessive paving and patios around your home to reduce the urban heat island effect and adding more plants and vegetation to add natural shade around your home.

Interior fashions come and go with such speed that at times it is hard to keep up. That begs the question of whether any particular kind of item, even one with a long history of use, will stay in vogue and not become obsolete.

This question was posed in relation to shutters by Livingetc, with interior designers from the UK and US revealing how they approach the question in 2023. With few exceptions, they agreed there is a place for them.

Founder of New York interior design studio Arsight Artem Kropovinsky said it is not just the “traditional” appeal that endures, but the way shutters have adjusted to fit more modern homes.

He remarked: “Contrary to the belief that they’re old-fashioned and bulky, shutters have evolved. Today, they’re available in a variety of materials and designs to complement any contemporary interior, and their practicality is unquestionable.”

Other style gurus similarly backed modern shutters as a good option for contemporary homes. But at the same time, it is important to note that so many people today still live in older buildings where tradition works best.

This is certainly true on this side of the pond, London-based architect Brian O’ Tuama pointed out. He observed: “We and our clients have always been keen on panelled shutters in period properties, and we’ve retained, restored, or replaced many sets over the years.”

Of course, many people will do this when they install full-height window shutters in Brighton, as these are perfect for the tall windows that characterise Regency buildings.

This indicates that shutters offer the best of both worlds, being adaptable for modern times but still providing a traditional look for older buildings that need this to retain their character.

A factor some might have overlooked is that as the climate gets hotter, shutters may be more valuable as a means of keeping rooms cool.

This point was made by scientists at Oxford University as they warned that, at present, UK homes are among the least well-equipped for a significantly warmer world, since they are designed for a cold, wet climate.

 

When most people think of the practical benefits of solid panel shutters, they typically focus on improved privacy and blocking out light, allowing for a better night’s sleep.

However, shutters are also very good at regulating the amount of heat that goes in and out of a home, particularly if they are made of fairly solid natural materials such as wood.

It has been known for centuries that shutters are a great way to keep out the cold during the winter months and improve insulation, but the same principle is also true in the other direction, up to a point.

This can seem counterintuitive; often our first response to a hot day is to open a window to help improve airflow, but whilst this can work on some warm days or when there is a breeze to help regulate temperatures better, it can also serve to let hot air in or magnify the greenhouse effect that can occur with big untreated windows.

However, it is often more important to keep heat out than allow outdoor air in during heatwave-level temperatures, as the latter is more likely to improve the heat of the room, even if spending a summer day in a dark room is far from ideal.

Solid louvred shutters can help with this as they allow for much greater control of lighting and heating. Opening the windows but having closed shutters with slightly opened louvres can create shade in your room that can make the sunlight seem far less overbearing.

This, in combination with a fan or HVAC system, can help keep rooms cool even as the temperatures reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius, avoiding inadvertently causing harm to yourself if you decide to stay in and out of direct sunlight.

At night, however, try to open your window slightly to make up for that loss of airflow and avoid stagnant air in the room.

Whilst solid panel shutters have had a rather substantial revival over the last few decades, typically the term shuttering is used in one of two contexts.

The first is to describe high-quality window and door coverings, typically made of wood and commonly featuring adjustable louvres, but the second is used to describe when a shop or business closes down or terminates a deal or policy.

The origins of the term as a verb date back to 1826, but has its roots in Old English and its Germanic roots.

Initially, the word “scyttan” described specifically the practice of fastening a door or gate in place with a bolt, the idea being that fixing something in place locks it, keeps it secure and means that it cannot be accessed nor used.

Scyttan in itself comes from the West Germanic term “skutjan”, which means to obstruct, which often fits the context that shutter is used in.

It would take until 1826 for the term to be used with a meaning substantially different to “shutting”, and part of the reason for that is differences in the types of shutters used by businesses.

As the beautiful solid wood shutters were increasingly replaced by metal panels and later roller shutters, the implication of shuttering would similarly increase in strength and intensity, implying a more permanent arrangement than perhaps it did previously.

Outside of the shutter industry, shuttering is typically used to describe stores and businesses that are closing for a prolonged period, with characteristic shutters stopping people from going in until the building is ready to be used again.

Unlike most home shutters, where they can be closed but also open thanks to easy-to-use louvres, roller shutters tend to require additional power to open and close, and so if a building is shuttered, the implication in most cases is that this closure is semi-permanent.

Once you opt for solid wood shutters with adjustable louvres, it can be difficult to go back to a time before you could easily switch between letting in lots of light and creating an intimate, private atmosphere.

However, up until recently, there was not really the same type of elegant solution for outdoor areas. A fence would often block too much of the light and pickets left homeowners with very little privacy.

A privacy fence is an ideal solution, but it is also one that can almost be too effective at maintaining privacy at the expense of the great outdoors.

One Warsaw-based innovator found a way to get both by using large plantation-style shutters with rather large louvres that could be adjusted not only between light and privacy but also to avoid the effects of glare during certain times of the day.

Instead of using traditional solid slats, incorporating shutters allowed him to divide his patio area, enhance the privacy of his outdoor dining area and ensure that he can enjoy a private party without bystanders looking in.

He even fits them onto a sliding frame, so he can not only open and close the louvres but also slide the panels to open out the space more or to use as doors for more private backyards.

Whilst you would need fairly large louvres, much bigger than those you would likely find attached to a window, there is no reason that such a system could not work for your garden, particularly if you seek advice from shutter experts as to how it could work for you if you are uncertain.

With this and the increase in the use of plantation-style shutters on doors, it is difficult to find a place in the home where shutters will not increase security, safety and privacy without compromising comfort and light.

Window shutters are the perfect window covering solution for many homes as they are not only stylish, but can provide many benefits such as better insulation, light filtration and airflow.

By properly maintaining your window shutters you can ensure they stay in top condition and remain functional for as long as possible. 

Maintaining your shutters is easy and requires little time and effort, therefore they are a great option for anyone who wants ease and functionality.

One of the main ways you should maintain your shutters is by regularly cleaning them. Dust and dirt can settle on the shutter panels and needs to be wiped off every so often to avoid build up.

Using a soft cloth or duster will usually do the trick, however you may occasionally need to use a damp cloth with mild soap or detergent to remove anything which has stuck to or stained the shutter.

Try to avoid using any harsh cleaning solutions as these may damage the finish or paint on your shutters and in most cases isn’t necessary anyway.

Over time the hardware on your shutters may loosen. This is normal as with regular use, these parts will be moving a lot. Tightening the hinges and screws occasionally ensures they are secure and stay working properly.

Your shutters may experience wear and tear over time, such as chipping or cracking. You can try and avoid this by manoeuvring the shutters carefully whenever you open and close them, however, these issues can be resolved easily with wood filler and a lick of paint.

If any of the slats in your shutters break or become damaged, you can replace these individually as and when necessary. This saves you from having to replace the entire window covering and can save time and money.

 

Looking for window shutters in Brighton? Visit The Brighton Shutter Company today.

Maximising small spaces can help to give the appearance of a much more open, large room and help you to make the most of the space without compromising on style and aesthetics.

Natural light plays a huge part in opening up a room and giving the illusion of an open and airy space, therefore increasing the amount of natural light and optimising how it is directed into a room can make a huge difference.

Window shutters are the perfect solution for small spaces. They are minimal, don’t take up very much room and can be adjusted to let in as much, or as little, natural light as possible to help set the perfect mood for the space.

As shutters are adjustable, you can manoeuvre them throughout the day in order to direct as much light as possible into the room. This helps to maximise the brightness of the room and create the illusion of a more open atmosphere, even in the smallest of rooms.

Shutters are very minimal and can seamlessly blend into the room. They can be painted to match walls, which allows for more floor and uniformity in a space which can help it to appear larger and less cluttered.

They are directly mounted to the window, meaning they do not take up any space as curtains do. 

This also helps to increase the amount of space in the room and allows for the area under the window to be utilised, instead of needing to be clear to allow curtains to open and close.

Shutters are also excellent at providing maximum privacy. They can be adjusted to still allow light in while preventing those outside from being able to look into a room. This is especially important in small spaces where the entire interior of the room may be visible from the outside.

 

Looking for window shutters in Brighton? Visit The Brighton Shutter Company today.

Window shutters are a stylish and fashionable alternative to other window coverings and they are also a practical choice as well. The benefits of shutters are especially useful during the summertime.

Shutters are excellent for ventilation and airflow. They are able to promote natural airflow throughout your home as you can direct the breeze into your home by adjusting the slats to your liking.

This can help to keep your space cool and comfortable, by allowing cool air to flow in and the warm air out. This is very helpful in the summer as it can reduce energy costs on appliances such as air conditioners and fans.

Shutters are also excellent for light control. You can adjust the amount of sunlight that enters your home by adjusting the slats, opening the slightly or leaving them close or opening the shutters entirely to let in as much light as possible.

This can also help with heat as you can close your shutters to prevent the sun from warming a room up too much. This paired with the ventilation they provide allows you to keep your home at a comfortable, cool temperature in the summertime.

Window shutters are also excellent for providing privacy. The slats can be adjusted to allow sunlight and airflow into a room, while still preventing anyone from being able to see through your windows.

This can be useful in summer when you want to spend time indoors in comfortable clothing without your neighbours being able to see you inside your home, especially if you have children as well.

Shutters are a low-maintenance window covering option that allows you to stay cool, comfortable and private during the summer while still being a great choice during the wintertime as well.

 

Looking for window shutters in Brighton? Get in touch with us today!