Are Plantation Shutters Worth It? A Straight-Talking Guide for North-West Homeowners
You’ve seen them on Insta. Your neighbour just had them fitted. But are plantation shutters worth it short answer: they can be, if you value comfort, curb appeal, and long-term savings. Below, we break down the facts, no fluff, no waffle so you can decide with confidence.
Look & Style That Won’t Date
Plantation shutters sit in the “Forever fashionable” category of décor: always looking amazing. From different frame finishes to caulked in edges, their style is like no other for your Wigan home.
Why the aesthetic wins
- Timeless lines – crisp louvres, seamless edges.
- Any period – modern, rustic, sash windows or brand spanking bifolds.
- Custom finishes – classic White, wood-grain stains that echo oak floors or even a Farrow and ball matched colour.
Custom colours – With colour trends changing every five minutes, shutters stay classy for 20-plus years. That’s staying power.
Design Options for Every Lifestyle
Whether it’s a curved bay, box bay, classic sash, bifold or sliding-patio door or even a quirky porthole there’s a shutter style purpose-built to fit and perform.
- Full-height: wall-to-wall louvres – your all-time classic finish (Most popular choice!)
- Tier-on-tier: upper and lower panels operate separately, letting you cafe-bar the street while keeping daylight up top.
- Café style: covers the lower sash only; great for keeping privacy but allowing light to flood the room from the top half.
- Tracked: glide sideways across bi-fold or patio doors – no flapping curtains when the breeze kicks up.
- Custom shapes: triangles, circles, even gothic arches in former mills; if a glazier can make the glass, a shutter maker can match it.
Light Filtering & Privacy on Your Terms
Forget choosing between cave and fish-bowl. Tilt the louvres a few degrees for daylight with no prying eyes.
- Morning sun too bright? Angle the blades up and bounce glare onto the ceiling.
- Working late? Close them tight and block the neighbour’s security floodlight.
- Need privacy in the summers evening? Get a tilt split so you can have full control shown below.
Energy-Saving Insulation (Show Me the Numbers)
According to University of Salford testing for the BBSA, blinds and shutters can slash window heat loss by up to 33 percent – and older solid-panel designs push that towards 50 percent.
In real-world terms:
- Less draught = warmer lounges in January.
- Your gas boiler cycles less – handy with energy tariffs fluctuating.
- In summer, closed louvres cut solar gain, keeping that south-facing loft 8-13 °C cooler.
No wonder “energy-efficient shutters” is now a trending search phrase.
- Waterproof PVC Shutters for Splash Zones
Moisture is the enemy of timber. Enter PVC shutters – extruded, reinforced, and sealed.
- Zero warping: steam from your bathroom won’t twist them out of square.
- Wipe-clean: spaghetti splash in the kitchen? Microfibre and done.
- Looks like wood: a matte paint finish fools most guests.
Stick wooden shutters in living areas, PVC in wet rooms, and you’re laughing.
Noise Reduction You Can Feel
Live close to the M6? Solid-core shutters add mass and create a sealed air gap that knocks 10-15 dB off exterior noise.
It’s not studio-silent, but you’ll notice the hush – especially at 6 a.m. on bin day.
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Boosting Home Value & Kerb Appeal
Estate agents love the phrase “shuttered windows” in listings. Why?
- Premium perception: Buyers see a finished home, not a ‘to-do’ list.
- Photo friendly: shutters frame estate-agent pics like a pro.
- ROI: UK property sites suggest quality window upgrades can nudge sale prices by 2-3 %.
In a softening market, that edge can pay for itself.
Child & Pet Safety Built-In
Unlike corded blinds, plantation shutters come cordless as standard and comply with BS EN 13120.
No loops, no tangles just peace of mind if you’ve got toddlers or a hyper spaniel.
Durability & Warranty
We don’t apologise for banging on about build quality because you’ll live with these shutters longer than most sofas. Just Blinds PVC shutters comes with a rock-solid 10-year warranty as standard.
We are a family business – that means that even if something goes wrong, we’re going to help not turn our back.
Failure rates sit below 1 % across thousands of installs, so chances are you’ll never need us but it’s nice to know we’ve got your back.
Effortless Cleaning
A quick weekly dust-wipe keeps louvres pristine – no lugging curtains to the dry-cleaner or unclipping Venetian slats. Got a PVC set? They’re waterproof so damp cloth will get any grime off in seconds!
Balanced Cost – Benefit Recap
Yes, shutters carry a bigger upfront bill, so let’s think long term investment.
What you save over time
- Up to 33 % lower heat loss (shrinks energy bills).
- Zero re-dressing costs (curtains fade, blinds break).
- Possible 2-3 % boost in resale value.
Are plantation shutters worth it? Run the maths over ten years and the payback often beats mid-tier curtains plus four cleanings.
