Internal plantation shutters are ideal for those who want a durable and hardwearing window covering. However, there is a range of reasons why they will last longer than your average curtain or blind and also things that you should consider when buying that might affect the lifespan of the items you choose.
Firstly it’s important to select the right product for the job to make sure it will last. So if you have a big opening you should opt for a light shutter, ideally made of wood so its light-weight but strong, to prevent unnecessary wear caused by the weight of the panels themselves. For areas such as the kitchen or bathroom where there is moisture, I recommend the Standard or ABS plastic shutter as they have a plastic coating making them more able to withstand water in the air. All my products are engineered to prevent warping and twisting, and to lengthen their life.
Every wooden shutter has 7 coats of spray paint to ensure that it will last well and is able to withstand chipping without losing colour. The layers are built up gradually, so if you do knock your panels they shouldn’t chip right back to the wood core and they are easy to touch up. Touch up paint is supplied free of charge with every order, and it’s worth re-touching any chips to limit the chance of chipping down to the core. When choosing a product its worth checking how they are manufactured and what paint layering system is used.
The paint on all my products also contains a UV inhibitor to protect the colour or stain that you have selected. This will help to prevent the yellowing effect of sunlight, particularly on lighter colours. I have a set I installed 7 years ago are in a south facing window, but they haven’t yellowed or changed colour in any way and still look great.
As internal plantation shutters are fitted on the inside of the window recess they are less likely to be damaged by passers-by. Most customers only open the shutter doors to clean the windows, which also limits opportunities for damage, and adjust the louvres daily for light.
As the louvres are operated using a solid control rod attached to each of the blades, there is little chance of damage providing they are operated carefully. The louvre operation is also adjustable to tighten or loosen the movement to your preference, limiting the chance of damage by rough treatment if they are stiff or too loose.
Finally, if your internal plantation shutters are starting to look worn, I can always re-spray or refurbish them for you, details can be found on my website.