A new home project can be fun, and once completed you can bask in the glory of your handiwork. You’ve probablybeen inspired by the variety of small DIY projects on Pinterest, or perhaps you’ve tasked yourself with building the furniture set for your bedroom. As enjoyableas such projects are, they come with their pitfalls; the larger the projectusually equals more challenges arising. A core challenge thathomeowners face with a bigger revamp project is the idea of a whopping great bill at the end of it. With available budgets varying from household to household, we’re responsible as consumers to shop smart byfindingahigh quality and reliable service that won’t break the bank.
As part of a project, window shutters are often overlooked because people assume they come with a hefty price tag. Thatis not always the case. Wanting to avoid the ‘luxury’ price tag, you are likely to resort to a general home improvement store, andjust like any other home project, you can fit plantation shutters yourself. There’s no way of downplaying this, fitting shutters is no walk in the park, but ifyou work with an establishedshutter supplier,the project will be a simpler task, and importantly, your interior shutters will be built from premium material. For example, good quality plantation shutters wouldlook fantastic in your home, and these simple tips will help you set and stick to your budget.
DIY-it
Fitting theshutters yourself cuts out the installation cost andseeking out a specialist supplier that offers a made-to-measure service will remove all concerns about whether they will fit your windows perfectly.If you’re not familiar with plantation shutters here are some terms and definitions of some key shutter parts to take note of:
Panel: The main rectangular part of the shutter that’s hinged and depending on the style they will feature moveable slats.
Frame: The frame is mounted onto the window and the shutter panels are mounted inside a shutter frame.
Top rail: Finishes off the top end of the shutter panel.
Bottom rail: Finishes off the bottom end of the shutter panel.
Mid rail: Runs horizontally between the top and bottom rail. Mid rails allow you to control the top and bottom slats separately.
Know the shutter designs
When you’re familiar with the key shutter terms it’s time to consider what style of shutter would be best suited to your needs.
Café style shutters: These shutters are a half-panel shutter. They cover the lower section of your window whileleavingthe top part uncovered. Café shutters are a great style for a newbie to start with, they’re half the size, so you’re looking at a reduced price compared to the other types. They’re a popular design for people fitting shutters themselves and for those on a tight budget.
Full-length shutters: Also known as full-height shutters.Yes you guessed it, these shutters cover the full length of the window, giving you maximum light control and privacy. Though larger you can still install them yourself and they make a stunning statement atyour windows and markedly improve the appearance of your home.
Tier on tier shutters: Lastly, tier on tier shutters cover the full length of your windows, but there are two panels split into two independent parts, half at the top, half at the bottom. You can mix and match which part of the shutters you want to keep open or closed thereby gaining the benefits of both café and full height shutters in one go.
Material Choice
Considering what material you’d like your shutters to be madefrom is important when you’re working to a budget. Plantation shutters are likely to be made of woodand you will be able tobrowse the selection available. Real wooden shutters are naturally beautiful, and if you work with a shutter specialist, they’ll likely have luxury-looking fauxwood shutters available which are a great and affordable option when you’re concerned about cost.
Specialist stores
When deciding what you can afford, you will find that DIY shutters are the most cost-effective route to take. If you choose to do the installation yourself you should find a DIY shutter specialist that promises not only to supply quality shutters, but that also prides itself on givinghelpful and expert guidance andwith a long list of positivereviews from customers.