Can you fit shutter doors to patio doors?

The simple answer to this question is yes, and in fact as you will see from my showroom shutter doors look extremely effective fitted on patio doors. I have also had several customers who have used this as an effective way of allowing ventilation by leaving the patio doors open, but keeping pets in or out by leaving the shutter doors closed.

Essentially a patio door is just a larger version of a recessed window, and when measuring you just treat it in the same way. Some of the factors which may affect both your measurements and the way you fit include:

• Large protruding handles – consider how deep your recess is and how far the handle protrudes. Is there still enough room for the shutter frame to fit and the louvres to adjust or will the frame that holds the shutters need to be fitted on the outside of the recess?
• Skirting board – will this interfere in any way with the fitting of the shutter frame, as it may be necessary to remove it, cut it and reposition it after fitting is complete.
• Floor – if you are likely to renew this it would be worth waiting until it has been done to ensure everything is fitted at the right clearance height.
• Support – consider how wide your opening is, it may be necessary to hang the shutter doors from a track for very large openings or support the doors using T-posts.

Don’t be daunted by DIY, this is just as straight forward as an ordinary window to fit, although there may be a few more factors to consider initially. Accurate measuring is the key to perfect fitting and there is plenty of advice available to help with this stage.

I offer a digital photo upload service, so I can always look at your opening and provide some bespoke advice on how to measure and fit shutter doors to your patio doors – all you need to do is send me an email, register and send me a message or call me Tel: 0844 858 4025.

What is the shadow gap?

As many customers discover when measuring for interior shutters their window is not as square as it may appear. If you read my tips on measuring you will understand how easy it is to see this when you run the tape along the window sill. It would be almost impossible, especially with older windows, to make a shutter that would fit precisely into the window recess.

The shadow gap is the secret to perfectly fitting interior shutters. It’s a small clearance gap that we allow all the way around shutter frame to compensate for windows that aren’t square. It allows you to easily fit the frame in the window, but as there is a gap running all the way around the frame it is less noticeable where the window is out of alignment. The gap does not need to be filled, but allows both fitters and DIY customers alike to complete an installation that looks professionally and fully finished.

I am often asked if the gap will look odd or noticeable, but you tend not to see the shadow gap and it also means that you aren’t constantly reminded that your windows are not square.

When ordering you need to remember to indicate whether the sizes you are providing are the recess size, and therefore have no deductions for the shadow gap, or are shutter size as you have made your own deductions.

If you have any questions about the shadow gap, or whether to provide recess or shutter size when you are ordering from www.opennshut.co.uk then please feel free to call me. All the interior shutters in my showroom have been fitted with a shadow gap, you can view the images here.

How deep does my window recess have to be?

Regardless of how deep your window recess is there are a range of ways that it is possible to attach window shutters to any window. However, I am often contacted by those who are concerned their recess may not be suitable.

The easiest way to deal with this question is to divide the answer into 4 sections, as in essence your window type and handles will affect what’s possible when fixing.

Wooden Windows
If you have a wooden window with no handles protruding into the window recess you can fix your window shutters directly onto the window frame, so your recess need only be the depth of the shutter frame. The Standard and Standard Plus frame is 46mm, and the Elite and specialist wood frames are 50mm.

It is possible to fix the shutter panels directly onto the window frame and for them to protrude outside the window recess if it is particularly small or you are happy with this style of fitting.

Double Glazed Windows
If you have double glazed windows you are likely to have handles that protrude into the window recess. If this is the case then the minimum recess depth is 86mm for Standard or Standard Plus, or 90mm for Elite or other wooden products, as you will need to allow for battens to space the louver blades away from the window.

Handles and Mid-rails
Depending on the position of your handles, it is always possible to line up a mid-rail with the window handle so that it may be possible to fit in a smaller window recess. The horizontal rail would mean that there would be no louvers at that point to knock against the handle when adjusted, minimising the room required.

Front Fix Frame
Finally the last option is to fit to the outside of the window recess using a front fix frame. There are several available, and many customers like these as they allow you to open the shutter doors and fold them back against the wall.

If you have some specific queries regarding your window recess and possible solutions for fitting window shutters feel free to call me direct Tel: 0844 858 4025, or why not email me some photo’s via the website.

Do shutters eliminate light when closed?

With this question in mind I developed my blackout shutters to assist in eliminating as much light as possible.

Many people find that they need a darkened room to sleep, or for a child’s room or those who work shifts and need to sleep during the day, it’s important to achieve as much darkness as possible to simulate night.

While louvered shutter panels will eliminate as much light as a standard pair of curtains, obviously there will still be some light that seeps between the louvres even when they are in the closed position albeit minimal. Many people who are used to thin curtains or window coverings will find that louvered shutters are a more effective option for eliminating light or equivalent to a lined pair of curtains.

Blackout shutters look identical to other louvered shutter panels, but they cleverly incorporate a blackout blind fitted inside the frame. The blind is just lowered when you want to sleep to block out light. This minimises light seepage by blocking out light that would normally seep through louvres. The shutter door can then be closed and the louvres placed in the closed position. During the day or when you want the louvres open you just lift up the blind and adjust the louvres as usual, as the blind is hidden by the shutter frame.

The blind also has a foiled lined honey comb construction, which can also aid insulation in a cold room.

I have these in my own bedroom and children’s rooms, and have found that they are very successful in aiding a good nights sleep – especially when I need to get the children to bed early in summer!

How Do I Measure Accurately?

The majority of customers who contact me to discuss their self-fit shutters do so for advice on measuring. Measuring accurately is the key to excellent fitting, so is the most important part of the process.

You can always download measuring instructions, or send me photo’s for bespoke advice, but I am happy to advise customers to make sure that measuring is completed accurately. I can also send you diagrams or photo’s indicating where to measure from and too. However, here are a few of my top measuring tips for self-fit shutters:

• Measure your window recess in 3 separate places, ideally both sides and middle for height and top centre and bottom for width, as many windows are not exactly square and you will need to use the smallest measurement.
• Once you have measured, hold your tape measure at the height/width you intend to use and just run the tape along the window sill/down the sides. This will give you an idea of how out of level your window is and whether this is the right measurement to use.
• If you are using battens with double glazed windows, measure approximately 90mm away from your window frame, as this is where the shutter frame will fit, again because measurements may vary when taken in different places in the recess.
• If you use a digital measuring device sanity check it with a tape, several customers have found them to be inaccurate or wrongly calibrated.
• For bay or shaped windows always send digital photo’s so that I can offer you bespoke advice, as there are so many different possibilities it is easier to help each customer on a personal basis.

If in doubt – ring direct and ask me Tel: 0844 858 4025

Don’t be daunted by the prospect of self-fit shutters, I’ve advised a huge number of customers who have successfully measured and fitted themselves, and you can see some their testimonials and photos on my website which demonstrate just how easy it is.

What are Shutters made from?

Many people are looking for cheap shutters but don’t want to compromise on quality or service, so the materials that their shutter products are made from are very important.

I offer 6 different materials ranging from MDF to specialist woods and plastic, however, Standard and Elite are the most popular products I offer:

Standard – these cheap shutters are made from MDF, however, they don’t compromise on appearance or quality and are ideal for most rooms. In particular I usually recommend these for kitchens or bathrooms as they have a plastic finish which copes better in rooms where there is a high moisture level. This is the most popular DIY product, as like all my products they are easy to fit and come ready made in an EasyFitShutter kit. They are good value for money and are made to the same specification as my other products, and are very durable and hardwearing.

Standard Plus – a cost effective way of making the leap from MDF to wood, this option has wooden panels with an MDF frame. Available in the same finishes as the Standard shutter, these are lighter so better on some of the larger openings for which standard shutters may be heavy.

Elite – a light weight wooden shutter, currently made from Paulownia wood, which is a planet friendly wood as it regenerates quickly from its stump. These are ideal for larger openings as they are guaranteed for greater widths and heights. These have a grain running through them, so it is easy to see that they are made from wood, and they are engineered to help prevent warping or twisting.

Basswood – one of the most requested wooden products, basswood is ideal if you want a stained product as it has an even grain and simple appearance. It comes in the largest range of colours and stains, including custom colours, so is popular with designers who want something different to create a feature in a room.

Cedar – a beautiful light weight wood that is also available in four oiled finishes, these are ideal if you want to match them to wooden floors or furniture. Its grain is delicate and even making it the crème de la crème of shutter materials.

ABS Plastic – designed to be water-resistant, these can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, playrooms or other areas where they made need to be constantly wiped clean. They are hardwearing, durable and are the same in appearance as my other products.

The most important thing is to match the product you are choosing to the room and requirements you have. As with everything you buy, the more you spend the higher the quality of the product you will receive.

If you want to know more about any of the products, just register and send me a question through the message service, or give me a call Tel: 0844 858 4025.

It’s not necessary to spend the earth to achieve the look you want, and my MDF cheap shutters are an excellent compromise between style and price.

Top Ten Questions Asked

Over the next few weeks I am going to focus on answering the ten questions I am asked about DIY shutters most often during a series of blogs. You can find a range of more in-depth information on my website about each topic, and can of course either register and send me a message or call me direct if you have a query regarding your requirements. However, these blogs are designed to give you some information to point you in the right direction.

The questions I will be focussing on are:

• What are shutters made from
• How do I measure accurately
• Do they completely eliminate light
• How deep does my window recess have to be
• What is the shadow or clearance gap
• Can you fit them to patio doors
• Can you fit them onto UPVC windows
• What is the best product for my window
• What if I have protruding handles
• What is the maximum width they can be made

While these are not the only questions I get asked, they are certainly amongst the most popular I cover on the phone and my automated Ask Sam service.

Fitting DIY shutters is possible on any window, and while some are more complex it is not impossible with the right advice and help. You can view testimonials of those who have successfully fitted them with some advice and support if you would like to know what’s possible and see comments about the advice and service I have provided.

Look out for the questions above being answered over the next few weeks, and if you don’t want to wait for your question on DIY shutters to be answered here just call me Tel: 0844 858 4025 as I am always happy to help.

Using Customer Testimonials

It’s always difficult to know how to choose a supplier, particularly when you’re spending a reasonable sum of money for custom shutters. However, if you’re still deciding, confused or worried about ordering online, then try looking though some of my testimonials. It’s an excellent way for my existing customers to tell you how they found my products, service and the fitting process.

All the testimonials are 100% genuine, from customers who email or message through the website. While I ask any customers who call me with comments if they would be willing to put them in writing, the majority of the testimonials are unsolicited and are from customers who were genuinely so pleased they put it in writing.

In particular for those of you who are considering the DIY option, you can read how customers found the DIY experience and see photos of their handy-work.

I recently spoke to a customer who has just ordered custom shutters from me for a fourth time, he mentioned how much noise they cut out from the bedrooms, so I have asked him to write his comments down and send some photos to help those of you who are still unsure.

I also find the feedback from customers useful to know if I am focussing on the right things, and while I want to improve things, I also want to make sure I don’t loose sight of what my customers actually like about their experience with www.opennshut.co.uk. I also believe that there is no better way to show potential customers what to expect from me than sharing with them the experience of other customers who purchased custom shutters.

SCraft Shutters

I am occasionally asked where I source my products, and I can confirm that I am supplied by SCraft shutters. I source shutter products and my shuttermatch blinds from them and both come up to the same high standard.

We have an excellent relationship as I have used them since their early days as a supplier, and we talk regularly to give feedback on products based on customer or fitters comments and to get updates. They are also willing to listen and have made a number of updates to products based on the feedback they have received from me and some of their other customers.

Their supply line set up is strong and delivery times are often below the industry average, and this allows me to provide a high level of service both to my DIY and fitted customers. Having regularly reviewed the shutter market in my view they provide the highest quality products at a reasonable cost. While there are other suppliers, no one has been able to match both the product quality and service.

SCraft shutters include a range of features such as frames, joints and the fact their products are engineered for durability and strength that make them hard to match. While they are made in China it is worth the wait to get the level of quality I want to supply to my customers.

The company was formerly known as Shuttercraft, and I have been working with them since their early days as a supplier, and am now proud to be one of their Master Partners.

My customers will be aware of my supplier, as all SCraft shutters now come with a small sticker on the shutter panels to make it easier for people to remember what brand of product they ordered and match it in the future.