Shutters add so much to the modern home, providing the best in light control, privacy, energy efficiency, and more—and they cannot be beaten for looks!
It’s exciting to choose shutters for your house, but if you rush forward without thinking things through, there’s the potential for mistakes, and these can be costly. At the Scottish Shutter Company, we advise our customers to help them easily avoid the five most common mistakes. Let us share these with you to ensure you have a smooth shutter-buying experience that results in the most beautiful, functional window treatments.
Mistake #1: Forgetting About Functionality
It’s vital to remember that your shutters are there to do a job, not just to look pretty! Shutters impact many aspects of the room, including light, privacy, and temperature. It’s important to choose the right shutters to match your needs and expectations.
Consider the difference between solid panel shutters, which provide privacy and light control when needed, and louvred shutters, which are better at filtering light. The first is great for bedrooms, while the second gives living rooms all-day light control.
The material of your shutters also matters. Wood’s warmth is perfect for living spaces, but vinyl’s water resistance is better for bathrooms and some kitchens.
Analyse your room needs and be sure to select a shutter that is the best at meeting those requirements.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Measurements
Shutters are edge-to-edge installations in your home. Unlike curtains that simply drape in front of the window frame, shutters are made to measure. This means that accuracy is not just important—it can make the difference between perfect shutters and unusable ones! The old adage of ‘measure twice, cut once’ is central to shutter fitting.
When measuring your windows:
- Measure multiple times to make sure you’ve not made a simple mistake.
- Measure both width and height at multiple points across the window in case of uneven frames.
- Consider your shutter fitting – Are you measuring for inside mount or outside mount shutters? For café style or full-height shutters?
- Think about your window shape. Bay windows have different measuring requirements than standard windows, and specialist windows like gable windows or round ‘porthole’ windows will have their own measuring needs.
If this all sounds complicated, that’s because it is! We always recommend having a professional measure and fit your shutters because the smallest mistake at this stage can completely ruin your shutter installation. A millimetre out, and it can all go wrong.
Poorly fitted shutters can go wrong in multiple ways, from lacking the heat and sound insulation you were expecting to not opening correctly, or simply not fitting at all. This essential stage has to be perfect.
Mistake #3: Focusing Only On Price
It’s always tempting to go for the cheapest thing – after all, is there that much difference between cheap online shutters and expensive ones in a professional showroom?
The answer is a resounding YES!
Shutters are an investment in your home, and quality ones will last for many years, providing smooth movement and perfect light control throughout their lifespan. Cheap shutters, however, made from poor-quality materials and with a less-than-professional fit, will cause problems from the outset and are much more likely to wear and break before too long.
Materials mean everything. Cheaper materials are neither as durable nor as energy-efficient as their more costly counterparts – it’s not all profit and markup by the shutter companies.
We recommend researching your shutter companies and comparing value rather than price by reading reviews and looking at testimonials.
Mistake #4: Neglecting Style Considerations
Shutters come in different styles, and it’s important to choose shutters that complement rather than contrast with your home.
Consider the difference in aesthetic between a café-style shutter, which is ideal for bringing a contemporary touch to kitchens or daytime spaces, and a solid panel shutter that can create the light control that perfects your home cinema setup.
The colour of your shutters can also be tailored to fit your home decor. You can choose stained wood to bring the delights of a natural look and feel to your living space. The finishes available for your shutters add that personal final touch.
Mistake #5: Going It Alone
Professional shutter consultation and installation are essential.
While the enticement of a cheaper project with shutters bought online and DIY fitted may be significant, it’s often a false economy that leads to difficulties and disappointment. It is so crucial that your shutters are made to measure and fit perfectly to your windows that the risks incurred by going it alone are considerable. Even the experienced handy homeowner will find shutter installation a problematic undertaking.
Professionals will ensure proper measurements and have the experience to foresee and avoid many installation issues. An expert shutter installation will also come with advice and aftercare—including a warranty that gives you the peace of mind you need.
Professional Shutter Installations with SSC
At the Scottish Shutter Company, we’ve been fitting quality shutters for many years. Our team of experts have the experience needed to solve any challenges that may arise to ensure that your shutters delight your home. Plus, as all our work is guaranteed for five years, you can rest assured that there are no surprises around the corner.
For more information and to see a range of shutter options, download a brochure today.
