shutters Hythe

A Comparison of

Blinds, Curtains

and

Shutters

Every year we wait with bated breath for the first rays of spring sunshine to peep through the clouds, and then the next moment we're frantically fanning ourselves in an attempt to keep cool in the increasingly stifling summertime. But while we can't control our fickle climate, we can invest in intelligent window treatments that protect ourselves and our interiors.

 

More adaptable than curtains and more versatile than voiles, the newest shutters Hythe and blinds come in a whole host of modern materials and super-chic colours, that not only makes a feature of your windows, but provides flexible sun protection too.

 

Modern blinds Ashford do much more than just provide privacy. The latest fabrics also offer solar protection, so no more faded fabrics or floors. They also block out heat, so rooms stay comfortable without the air con - an eco-friendly way of keeping cool. With moisture-resistant, anti-fungal and dust-repellent options too, it's easy to keep window treatments in top condition. And if it's too hot to even pull a cord, many come with a motor option for the ultimate in operational ease.

 

Types of blinds

Roller blinds Kent provide excellent protection against heat and light and give the room a neat, uncluttered look. Choose sheer to soften sunlight, patterned fabrics to introduce colour and texture or blackout blinds to block light completely. Head to Hillarys or Novatec for a bottom-up roller blind, which is great for providing privacy while still letting in light through the top half of the window.

 

Shutters - essential info

Sales of shutters Maidstone have grown an impressive 40 per cent in the last two years. Taking their name from the sprawling 19th-century mansions in America's Deep South, the most versatile are plantation-style shutters. These feature louvers that open and close to minimize heat from the sun. They provide ventilation and privacy when needed and come in an impressive array of colours and materials.

 

The traditional method of opening and closing louvres is with a rod on the outside of the shutter, but many companies now offer designs that feature hidden mechanisms or even remote-controlled shutters (good for hard-to-reach windows) for a contemporary finish.

 

Solid shutters were originally installed in pre-Edwardian houses and were only used a couple of times a year when the owners decamped for the season. They weren't designed to be opened and shut daily like our present designs, which is why so few remain today. As well as traditional wood, they now come in a number of materials, so try Parma Lilac for an acrylic version or Draks for Japanese-style canto shutters with hardwood frames and a bespoke central panel of non-reflective acrylic, glass or even a fabric of your choice.

 

You can also source antique shutters at salvage companies such as Lassco. 'Shutters can be cut down, just make sure they still work proportionally,' says Francis Lee, design consultant at Lassco. Or you can add an extra leaf to make them fit, but measure up carefully to find a pair as near perfect as possible.

 

More adaptable than curtains and more versatile than voiles, the newest shutters Hythe and blinds come in a whole host of modern materials and super-chic colours, that not only makes a feature of your windows, but provides flexible sun protection too. Roller blinds Kent provide excellent protection against heat and light and give the room a neat, uncluttered look.