The easy part is deciding that you want window shutters in your home. The difficult part is figuring out which style to go for when there are so many great options available.

Some styles will of course be better suited to your property than others, so it’s a good idea to do your research beforehand or call in the experts for a helping hand.

One of the things we love most about solid shutters however, is that they’re one of the most versatile styles and can usually be customised to suit any window.

Aside from this major selling point, below we’ve listed some other great reasons to choose solid window shutters for your home.

They look great

Solid window shutters act as a real feature and add timeless style to any property. They’re ideal for anyone who wants to make a statement without being overbearing or worrying about their design going out of fashion.

Shutters have been a popular window dressing since the 1500s and seem to gain in popularity with every decade that passes. You can be rest assured that they’re never going out of fashion and are a worthwhile investment.

Privacy

Made from a solid wooden panel, this style of shutter offers ultimate privacy. This is great for bedrooms and rooms which are overlooked by the neighbours, buildings or are on street level.

They’re great insulators

If you’re looking for an all-round great insulator, solid shutters are your best bet. They can’t be beaten when it comes to blocking out the light which is great for those hot and sunny days or if there’s a bright streetlight outside your bedroom.

They also act as a highly effective sound barrier which is ideal for properties in busy areas and they’re perfect for keeping out the cold during the winter months.

As well as ensuring that your home stays nice and warm, solid shutters can save you a substantial amount on your heating bills.

They’re versatile

Did you know that solid shutters can also be used to cover doors and wardrobes? This can be done for decorative purposes or to add an extra layer of ventilation if your doors are letting in a lot of cold air.

They also make great free-standing screens and room dividers which is perfect in today’s modern-day setup where so many of us are now working from home. 

Bespoke made

Shutters can last a lifetime so it’s important that you’re 100% happy with the style and fit.

Castle Hill Shutters offers a free, no obligation consultation so you can be rest assured you’re getting exactly what you want. One of our expert fitters will listen to your requirements and assess your windows so we can advise on suitable styles. We’ll also measure everything we need while we’re there so if you decide to choose us, we won’t need to come around again.

All our shutters are bespoke made and can therefore fit almost any size or shaped window.

For further information or to book your free quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Castle Hill Shutters today.

We don’t know about you guys, but we think this has felt like a particularly long and cold winter. While we’re hopefully through the worst of it, there are still a good few months until we’ll be enjoying those long summer nights once again.

To help pass the time and banish those winter blues, we’ve come up with some great winter décor projects which will leave your home looking fabulous.

Declutter

Before you start any new projects, it’s a good idea to declutter beforehand. Be ruthless about getting rid of anything you don’t use or which doesn’t serve a purpose. If you donate your unwanted items to a charity shop, you’ll be doing a great deed at the same time.

Add shelves

Shelves are a great way to inject a bit of personality into any room as well as free up some much-needed floor space. Decorate them with photos, books, ornaments, flowers or whatever else takes your fancy. Just remember to keep it simple – over-filling your shelves will leave the room looking cluttered.

Reupholster sofas and chairs

Whether your sofa and chairs have seen better days or you’re simply bored of them, reupholstering furniture is a great way to spruce the place up. As well as being a fun DIY task, it’s also much cheaper than buying new furniture.

Make your own artwork

 Who needs one of Picasso’s finest when you can make your very own artwork? This is an inexpensive way to add some character to your home and best of all, you can get the whole family involved. The kids will love putting their art skills to the test and it means you get to create some great memories at the same time.

Perhaps you’re a budding artist yourself. In which case, put together some paintings or drawings and display them on your walls for everyone to enjoy.

Give the windows some TLC

 As well as being crucial to the functioning of your home, windows also play a big role when it comes to aesthetics.

Some top tips for ensuring your windows stay as beautiful as the rest of your property include:

• Give them a thorough clean to remove any dust, dirt, spiderwebs and fingerprints. Finish with some glass cleaner to ensure they’re sparkling and streak-free
• If your windows are badly worn and chipped, repaint them yourself or hire a professional to do this for you. A fresh coat of paint can really help to transform any window
• Window boxes are a great way to brighten up the outside of your home and make a real feature of your windows. Simply plant whichever flowers are in bloom at the time or if you tend to neglect your plants, fake ones look just as good and are incredibly low maintenance
• Make the most of bay windows by adding cushions, flowers and other decorations to the area
• Complete your look with a beautiful window dressing such as shutters. Not only do they look fantastic, they’re multi-purpose as well. They’re keep the cold and unwanted noises outside, they help to keep the house cool in winter, they offer privacy and an extra layer of security for your home. With all these benefits, unsurprisingly, they also add value to your home.

For further information about window shutters or to book a free, no obligation quotation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Castle Hill Shutters today.

If you’re looking for increased privacy but don’t want to compromise on light, tier-on-tier shutters are the perfect solution for your home.

Featuring two sets of panels, one on top of the other, these beautiful window dressings offer complete flexibility. You can for example keep the bottom section closed so passers-by can’t see into your home, while leaving the top half open to let in plenty of natural daylight.

Our shutters are built to last for many years, making them a long-term investment. With this in mind, it’s important that you’re 100% certain you’re choosing the right style for your home. If you’re considering tier-on-tier shutters, below are some of the pros and cons.

Pros

Increased privacy

As we’ve already mentioned, tier-on-tier shutters are great for those rooms which require extra privacy. If your lounge or bedroom is at the front of the house for example, you can keep the lower section closed so nobody can see in. With the upper section open, plenty of natural daylight can still enter your home.

Alternatively, you can have both sections closed and adjust the slats to let in some light. Because the slats are at an angle, you can still benefit from complete privacy.

Great for insulation

Tier-on-tier shutters are fully framed and cover the full height of your window which means they’re fantastic at keeping your home nice and warm during those cold winter months.

They also keep the direct sunlight out which will help to keep your house cool during the summer.

An extra layer of security

A fantastic benefit of tier-on-tier shutters is that they make a great security device. Whether you have the slats fully closed or open at an angle, nobody will be able to see into your home. This means that potential burglars won’t be able to determine if the house is empty or not.

As well as this, shutters act as an extra barrier to try and break through. This will deter even the bravest of burglars.  

Built to last

Here at Castle Hill Shutters, we pride ourselves on our reputation. Because of this, we only ever use the highest quality materials for our shutters. They’re built to last and are only ever installed by fully trained, insured and highly experienced fitters. You can be assured that both our products and service are second to none.

Cons

They’re not suitable for all window types

Although tier-on-tier shutters are extremely versatile, they’re not suitable for all types of windows.

They’re ideal for Victorian windows but don’t work so well with smaller openings. Although they can be installed on smaller windows if you have your heart set on them, we find they can overpower the window and block natural light coming in due to the solid material on each panel where the tiers meet.

Will do however endeavour to cater to the needs of all our customers. If you book a consultation, our experts will see what we can do as well as go through other styles of shutters which may be better suited to your property.

To book in for a free, no obligation quotation, get in touch with Castle Hill Shutters today.

Rain, ice and condensation can leave you feeling like you’re fighting a losing battle when it comes to keeping your windows looking great during the winter months. Fortunately, we’re experts in all things window related so below we’ve shared some of our top tips for looking after your windows and shutters throughout the colder season.

Dealing with condensation

One of the biggest risks of damage to both your windows and shutters, is condensation. Unfortunately, this is a very common problem in winter but with the right measures, it can be managed and even prevented.

· Many of us have the heating cranked up when we’re home and then set it to a very low temperature when we’re out. Maintaining a consistent temperature in your property is one of the best ways to keep condensation at bay however. Set the thermostat to a temperature that’s comfortable for your household and maintain this. You want to avoid sudden sharp increases and decreases

· We understand that the last thing you want to do in the depths of winter is open any windows. If you notice condensation however, air out the room until the moisture has subsided and wipe away any remaining condensation. The longer it sits on your windows or shutters, the more likely it is to cause long-term damage

· If you live in a property which is prone to condensation, moisture trappers such as dehumidifiers are great at reducing levels

· If possible, try to avoid hanging your washing out to dry inside. If this is unavoidable, rotate the room you’re drying your clothes to prevent too much moisture gathering in a single space. It can also help to dry your clothes in a room where you have an extractor fan or dehumidifier

Cleaning solutions

Regularly cleaning your windows and shutters will keep them looking great for years to come because it prevents the unwanted build-up of dirt. This is a great habit to get into all year round because it means that you can spot any potential issues such as condensation before it becomes a bigger problem.

Some top tips for cleaning your windows and shutters:

· Avoid harsh chemicals which can stain or strip away paint. Water with washing up liquid or screen wash is all you need. To avoid the water freezing onto your windows when it’s bitterly cold outside, use lukewarm water

· Wipe away any dust first using a soft cloth or duster such as lamb’s wool or ostrich feathers

· If you’re using a product, never spray anything directly onto your shutters. Spray onto a cloth and then wipe down your windows and shutters

· After you’ve wiped down your window frames and shutters with a damp cloth, dry them off completely. This will prevent water damage and condensation forming

For more top tips for keeping your window shutters looking great this winter or to book in for a free, no obligation quotation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Castle Hill Shutters.

The shops have all their decorations up, radio stations are playing carols and towns across the country are preparing for their lights to be turned on. It’s official – Christmas is just around the corner.

With just over a month until the big day, this is a great time to start getting your home ready for Christmas. Below we share some of our top tips to ensure your home looks great throughout the festive season.

Declutter

As you make space for the tree and all your favourite decorations, this is a great time to declutter. If you don’t have time to declutter the whole house, focus on the rooms you spend the most time in or where you usually entertain guests.

With so much food and drink coming into the house over the festive season, it’s also a good idea to clear out those kitchen cupboards.

Get the decorations out

Even if you’re not ready to put them up just yet, it’s a good idea to get the decorations out now so you can give them a once over. This gives you time to replace anything that has been broken or is looking a bit worn, give them a good clean as they will have been sitting in storage for so long and check that all your fairy lights are still working.

Make your home nice and cosy

It’s usually bitterly cold outside by the time Christmas arrives which means there’s nothing nicer than returning to a warm and cosy home.

If you have a working fireplace, stock up on wood so you can enjoy a roaring fire throughout the festive season.

Windows are a big source of heat loss so check they’re sealed nice and tightly before it starts to get too cold. If your windows are letting in a lot of cold air, shutters are a great solution. They add an extra layer of protection which helps to insulate your home and keep it nice and warm.

This is also the darkest time of year so take advantage of Christmas lights and use them to brighten up your home. As well as having fairy lights on the tree, you can also add them to the mantlepiece, wrap them around stair bannisters or drape them across the tops of shelves.

Prepare for guests

If you’re entertaining guests throughout the holidays, make sure you’re prepared for their arrival. Some essentials which can be easily forgotten include:

• Ensure you have enough cutlery, crockery and glasses for everyone
• Ask your guests if they have any dietary requirements so that everyone is catered for
• If people are staying over, check you have extra bedding and towels
• If you’ve been using the spare room as an office, try to make it as welcoming as possible by removing paperwork and anything else that can be easily removed such as your desk chair
• Create space in the wardrobe so your guests can unpack. If they’re not staying the night, it’s a great idea to do this anyway so you have somewhere to store everyone’s coat
• Everyone loves Christmas crackers so don’t forget these!

If you’re looking for a great gift idea this Christmas, get in touch to book a free consultation. Window shutters are a gift the whole family can enjoy all year round.

What’s not to love about window shutters? They look fantastic in any property, they add privacy, improve security and whether it’s hot or cold outside, they help regulate the temperature of your home.

With so many different varieties available today however, how do you choose the right type of shutter for your home?

Below we talk about all the different styles available so you can make the right choice.

Full height shutters

This style covers your windows from top to bottom. Because of this, they’re great for total privacy control, reducing noise pollution and maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home both in the summer and winter.

Full height shutters are great because they’re incredibly versatile and can be installed on virtually any window. While the slats can be adjusted to let in as much or as little light as you like, if you have a particularly dark room in the house, you may want to consider a shutter that lets in more light, such as café or tier-on-tier shutters.

Full height shutters with mid-rail

Adding a mid-rail to full height shutters separates the upper and lower louvres. This means they can be operated independently to help control privacy and light infiltration.

They’re ideal for rooms which are overlooked, such as if your lounge is on street level and you get lots of passers-by. You can simply keep the lower louvres closed for privacy and then open the top louvres to let in natural daylight.

This style offers more stability for larger windows and doors than tier-on-tier shutters do. It’s worth noting that the entire panel swings open as one unit so you can’t open and close the upper and lower sections separately like you can with tier-on-tier shutters.

Café style shutters

Café style shutters only cover the bottom half of the window. They allow you to enjoy your privacy while still letting in as much light as possible, making them ideal for ground floor rooms which are overlooked.

If you can’t make up your mind whether you want shutters or curtains, café style shutters work very well with curtains so you can have the best of both worlds.

If one of the main reasons you’re looking to install shutters is to keep a cold house warm in the winter or a warm house cooler in the summer, full height shutters would be a more appropriate choice.

Tier-on-tier shutters

This style consists of two sets of panels, one on top of the other.

The biggest advantage of tier-on-tier shutters is that the top and bottom panels can be opened and closed independently of each other. They’re ideal for rooms which are overlooked, such as if your lounge is on street level and you get lots of passers-by. You can simply keep the lower tier closed for privacy and then open the top tier to let in natural daylight.

Tracked shutters

Tracked shutters are ideal for wide windows, bi-fold doors and even dividing rooms. Generally, they’re the best solution when you’re trying to span a distance which is wider than it is tall.

Made to measure, they fit seamlessly within your room and like traditional shutters, they come with fully adjustable louvres so you can control the amount of light and privacy in your home.

Shaped shutters

Even odd-shaped windows can enjoy the benefits of shutters. No matter how unusual the shape, shutters can be customised to dress your windows in style. They’re ideal for gable ends, loft conversions, porthole windows, period arched windows and oblong, oval, arched or triangle windows.

For more information about choosing the right type of shutter for your home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.   

You’ve decided you would love to have plantation shutters installed in your home, but with so many different companies out there, how do you decide who to choose?

We understand this can be a difficult decision. As well as being a big financial investment, they’re a feature that will remain part of your home for many years, so you want to get it right. Not to mention, you’re trusting complete strangers in your property.

You can be rest assured that you’re in safe hands with Castle Hill. Below we share the benefits of choosing us to supply and install your beautiful new plantation shutters.

There’s something for everyone

 When it comes to plantation shutters, we have something to suit all needs and tastes. Our products can be made from six different materials including MDF and sustainably sourced hardwood. From full height to tier-on-tier, our shutters also come in six different styles so you can ensure the perfect look for your home.

Waste management

 Castle Hill Shutters is committed to reducing the impact we have on the environment wherever we can.

Once we have installed your shutters, we remove all packaging and where possible, recycle them through a certified recycling company. 

We offer a three-year guarantee

 Our plantation shutters are built to the highest quality and installed to a high standard. We’re so confident about this that we offer a three-year guarantee on all our shutters.

What’s more, you only pay 50% of the cost when you place your order. The remainder of the balance isn’t due until after installation, once you’ve confirmed that you’re happy with everything.

You have one point of contact

 From the moment you book your consultation, you’re given one point of contact who will remain with you until after installation. The same person will show you the product, survey your windows, install the shutters and answer any questions you may have.

 Great reviews  

 Don’t just take our word for it, our customers have great things to say too.

Online reviews are a great way to find out more about a company before using them for the first time. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we’re absolutely delighted that this is reflected in the glowing reviews we receive on Google and Trustpilot.

You can also check out our gallery if you would like to see examples of the work we’ve carried out in other properties.

Free, no obligation consultations

 While it’s great to get a feel for a company online, it’s also important to meet them in person.

We offer free, no obligation surveys to all our customers. Here you will meet one of our experienced surveyors who can show you samples, help you understand which is the best type of shutter for your home and take measurements so we can provide an accurate quote.

As the measurements are taken at the consultation, it means that should you decide to proceed, we don’t need to book another appointment.

To book your free, no obligation consultation with Castle Hill Shutters, get in touch today.

As the temperature drops and we’re forced to give in and turn the heating on, many of us are conscious about the added cost of keeping our homes warm during winter.

This is an issue which is going to be more prevalent than ever as the UK faces a huge increase in gas prices. 15 million households have already seen their energy bills increase by 12% and Ofgem has warned that the cap is set to go up again in 2022.

At a time like this, it’s natural to wonder how you can stay warm without having to pay an absolute fortune for it.

One of the most common questions we receive is; ‘do shutters help keep your home warm in winter?’ The simple answer to this is, absolutely! Below we discuss how this valuable addition can keep the cold out and help you save money on your energy bills.

Extra insulation

 Up to 25% of the heat in your home is lost through windows. If they’re poorly insulated, you’re likely to face a losing battle no matter how high you have the heating turned up.

When you have shutters, cold air gets trapped in the gap between them and the windows. While good quality curtains can have the same effect, shutters are much thicker and are therefore a better option for improving insulation.

You can let light in while keeping the cold out

 We all love a nice bright home and want to let in as much light as possible during the day. If your windows are letting in a lot of cold air however, this can be a problem.

As shutters have slats, it means you can open them to let in as much light as possible while still providing a barrier against any cold draughts. This also means that the natural sunlight can help to heat your home so you don’t have to rely on the heating all day.

They’re great at retaining heat

 Glass doesn’t retain heat very well which is why we lose so much from our windows. Shutters are much thicker which is great for keeping any precious heat inside your home. Having them installed is like having double or even triple glazing. Not only is this great for saving money on your household bills, it also means you can reduce the impact you’re having on the environment.

They keep unwanted draughts out

 If you’ve ever sat near a poorly insulated window, you’ve no doubt felt how much of a draught comes through. This is the last thing you want in winter, especially as it tends to be windier at this time of year.

Shutters offer an extra barrier against the elements which means that unwanted draughts from cold winds don’t make their way inside. Thanks to the solid material shutters are made from, it means they provide a much more effective solution compared to curtains or blinds.

For more information about how shutters can help keep your home warm this winter or to book in for a free, no obligation consultation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

Taking your time and doing some research when tackling home improvement projects is always wise, whether you’re doing something simple like changing up the paint colours or perhaps thinking about a bigger job like an extension or loft conversion. 

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Homeowners who have pencilled in 2020 as the year they will redecorate their residence will be keen to find out what the latest interior design trends will be over the upcoming few months.

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