Hub Cloud If you are thinking about having plantation shutters installed in your home, you likely have a number of important questions that you’d like to ask before going ahead and making a commitment. For example, when buying window coverings, you likely want them to make your room feel more spacious and not the contrary, so, do plantation shutters make a room look smaller?
Another thing is blackout potential. Can plantation shutters provide a total blackout effect when the louvres are closed? Or would curtains be more effective?
And of course, are plantation shutters suited to all window types? Or are there only specific windows that suit such a window covering solution.
In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more as we established whether or not plantation shutters are the right call for your property. Let’s take a closer look…
Do plantation shutters make a room look smaller?
When decorating a room in your home, naturally you want it to look as big and spacious as possible and one such concern is whether adding plantation shutters into the mix will make a space look smaller.
Fortunately, shutters do in fact make a room look nice and spacious. As they are fitted within the recess of a window in order to create a flush and seamless effect (unlike other traditional window coverings like curtains), it actually creates an element of having more space – particularly with the blank space on either side of the window. With more wall and floor space showing, the room feels naturally larger.
Heavy fabric curtains on the other hand can make a room feel smaller as they take up more room due to the wall area and floor that they invariably cover when closed.
Additionally, plantation shutters can enhance the aesthetics of your room by matching the wall colour with your new shutters. This seamless look can create a wonderful setting for your furniture without running the risk of the room looking too cluttered.
You can also use light reflection to make your space feel larger – by using the louvres. Certain styles allow maximum light to penetrate your room – which, when coupled with clever mirror placement can enhance the effect even further!
Do plantation shutters darken a room?
Another important consideration is how much light control you have over a room with plantation shutters installed. Not only do you want to be able to allow plenty of natural light into your home, but some days you may wish to blackout a space (particularly if you’re having a lazy hangover day and watching your favourite series on Netflix).
The good news is that the light control on plantation shutters is excellent. While most plantation shutters will allow some light to seep between the louvres, panel, and frame, you will be pleasantly surprised by how dark it can get with them fully closed. That said, if you want total blackout darkness, there are certain types of blind coverings that can be applied to plantation shutters with relative ease.
Do plantation shutters suit all windows?
And of course, do plantation shutters suit all window types? In short, yet they do. Plantation shutters can be installed on practically any window type. This is because they are extremely versatile – and indeed customisable.
Inside mount Vs. outside mount?
Should you have an inside mount or outside mount? This depends on the window type. First, let’s go over the difference between the two choices:
- Inside mounted shutters are fitted to sit within the recessed window – creating the flush finish mention above. These are smaller than outside mounted shutters and thus typically cheaper.
- Outside mounted shutters are fitted to the wall around the window itself. This means that they are typically larger and will stick outwards. If you have shallow windows without a deep recess, outside mounted shutters are the appropriate choice.
Z Vs. L frame?
Both inside and outside mounts use different types of frames.
- Inside mounts can use Z frames and L frames.
- Outside mounts use a different style of L frame.
The frame that you should go for will depend on whether or not there are any obstacles that can impact the overall functionality of your plantation shutters. For example: door handles, window winders, locks, etc.
In any case, when you speak with your plantation shutter supplier and installer, they will be able to advise you accordingly on what is possible.
Conclusion
To recap:
- Plantation shutters do not make a room look smaller. In fact, when fitted with an inside mount, they have a flush finish that can make a space look bigger – particularly with more wall and floor space exposed (as opposed to large curtains).
- Plantation shutters provide excellent light control. They can darken a room quite well, however, blackout shutters must be installed if you want a total blackout effect in your room.
- Plantation shutters work on practically every window due to being highly versatile and customisable.
We hope that you have found this article insightful and that you now have a clearer idea as to whether plantation shutters are the right window covering solution for your home. Not quite convinced and want to look at some examples for inspiration? Check out Perth’s Boutique Plantation Shutters.com.au for some stunning examples.
