How To Take Care Of Your Elegant Solid Wood Shutters

The solid wood shutters in London can become centenaries provided they are offered a facelift every 5 to 10 years. Here is my method to bring back tired shutters!

Analysis of the health of the flaps

Before embarking on the renovation of your solid wood shutters in London, it is necessary to analyze their condition. It is a question of identifying their defects (wood rot, insect attacks, breakage, cracks, deformations etc.) and especially to note the current coating (paint, stain or oil) in order to calculate the working time and to choose the right tools.

Painted shutters will require almost twice as much sanding time as louvered shutters. In case your shutters had been glazed 8 years ago then the stain would be blistering. One very effective thing to do is to apply an organic boat oil to feed the wood as much as possible and to protect it against UV and rain. For the colour we made the choice of organic stain, more ecological than the painting and which allows the glimpsing of the veins of the wood.

The most laborious step, allow approximately 1 hour of sanding without flaps. To protect the shutters you can opt for an organic boat oil (less toxic to us and much better for the environment) found in most eco-materials store. Normally a layer with a brush is enough but if the wood is too dry and tired you should apply two coatings.

What Is MDF: Demystification Of This Type Of Material!

You've probably heard of a building material called "MDF", and you may have a vague idea of what it is. But are you right, or are you mistaken? In this blog, we will clarify the concept of MDF panel, examine its manufacturing process and weigh some of its advantages compared to solid wood and other materials used for furniture construction.

In fact, MDF is an acronym derived from Medium Density Fibreboard. Technically, it is a composite material of medium density wood fibres and a synthetic binder. However, MDF has become a generic term for any dry fibre board. The process of manufacturing a MDF panel includes several more or less complex operations. Very simplified, the process proceeds as follows: the wood of the deciduous and coniferous trees is chipped between 5 and 40 mm. After steam defibration, binders are added and after drying the mixture is pressed into panels, cooled and shaped. Thanks to its varied finishes, the MDF can mimic several materials

A MDF panel is somewhat similar to chipboard (the main material of IKEA furniture), although the MDF is much denser, stronger and more stable. For this reason, over the years, many large-scale furniture manufacturers have turned to MDF for the mass production of their veneers.

As opposed to solid wood, an MDF panel is an isotropic material. This means that it has the same properties in all 3 dimensions. Natural wood has fibres, knots and rings which makes it less uniform compared to MDF. A MDF panel can be cut with high precision without risking broken parts. In addition, it is able to withstand changes in humidity and temperature better than solid wood. We also have MDF shutters in London which is in itself a big accomplishment for the MDF material.

What Are The Plantation Shutters And How Do You Choose Them?

Plantation window shutters are gaining great popularity and we have collected some examples of different types of this kind of window shutters. Plantation window shutters have a main and indisputable quality - they are versatile and can be used anywhere - in the bathroom, kitchen, living room, bedroom and even the bathroom. In addition, they are very practical, beautiful and add value to your home. Plantation window shutters provide privacy and also keep the heat out.

What are the most popular types of shutters?

The insulating nature of the wood makes it an excellent protection against heat in summer, while its durable and the robustness of the systems of fastening and closing of the flaps make of them excellent protections reinforced against the break-ins (in as much as possible). The wood is also very resistant to UV, weather and frost, far superior to PVC (but less than aluminium). Finally, the wooden shutters obviously offer a warm and classic aesthetic with the option of opting for the colour of finish of his choice.
          
A classic and all-weather material for shutters is made of wood. The timeless elegance of wood lever is one of the main reasons for their growing popularity. Modern technology gives the possibility of using vinyl shutters or those of aluminium. Plantation shutters for sliding glass doors are a hot topic too. There are a lot of discussions for the pros and cons of wooden vs. vinyl shutters, but after all, everyone can choose it themselves. The market offers many different styles and sizes of shutters. Plantation kits for DIY shutters are offered to DIY enthusiasts with tutorials and instructions, but if you do not feel confident enough, it is advisable to trust a professional.

What is the cost of shutters?

This is one of the most important issues. Once you have decided to add chic and elegance to your home, you need to consider the price. Although they seem quite luxurious, blinds are an affordable item for the home. Cost of the shutters will depend on the type of material, the size of the windows, the design of the shutters and of course the price policy "manufacturers. Our advice is not to go for low priced shutters, as there is a chance of inferior quality.

Wooden plantation shutters: call a professional!

For the choice, installation and maintenance of your wooden shutters, call a carpenter specializing in openings. When you go for a pro service, you have the advantage of being able to take advantage of the services of a professional close to you, qualified, competent and committed to the satisfaction of its customers. So do not hesitate and look at the list of shutters professionals near you!

Various Advantages of Solid Wooden Shutters

If you want some traditional flair in your house, you can always choose exterior wooden shutters. Wooden shutters come have different styles and patterns and can be easily customised to your personal preference. Whether you want some aesthetic or want the heat of the summer and the chill of the winter to stay outside, the wooden shutters offer a large number of antithetical and practical benefits. Shutters are of two types, some of those are only for decorative purposes while some shutters are operable, meaning they can be opened or closed for practical reasons. Operable shutters offer significant practical advantages to a homeowner.

By choosing solid wooden shutters like mahogany or cedar, you will get a few practical benefits. Custom when shutters are built from these better quality wood, you will run into lesser issues, compared to when the shutters are made from lesser quality woods, including the cracks in shutters which leak the air outside. If you strictly stick to high quality woods which doesn't grow cracks, you will save highly on the electricity costs. These bespoke operable shutters can also help in battling the natural elements of weather, such as heat or cold. 

During the summer, you can close these shutters to keep the cool air in as well as protect your furniture or interior from the harsh sunlight. In the winter, on the contrary, these shutters can help to confine the warm air inside so that the outside cold doesn't enter. Along with keeping the temperature out, solid shutters can also help you to protect your window and the interior from other natural elements like the rain or the hailstorm. Bermuda shutters, for example, which were mainly designed to protect the house from hurricanes, are perfect for coastal regions where the homeowners face the hurricanes frequently. Depending on what type of lumber being used, wooden shutters are adaptable as well.

The best quality woods like Poplar, Cedar, Oak or teak have different certifications like FAS, 2FAS or CLEAR. These are really long-lasting shutters due to their quality. Shutters made from these woods serve different purposes, depending on in which weather they are fitted. Spanish Cedar, for example, is not only rot resistant but also repels termites, moisture, fungus and more. Thus, this wood can be used in different climates, including rainy areas because rain makes the wood wet and normal wood would rot quickly due to moisture, fungus or insect infiltration.

Different Types of Modern Window Blinds

Window blinds have survived for a long time. The Persians used thick wet clothes on the windows to protect them from the desert dust as well as the scorching heat. The ancient Chinese used fashionable bamboo slats on the windows so that the inside of the room enjoys perfect privacy. The Venetians (the Venetians blinds are named after them), who traded with the Arabs, brought this concept from the Persians and produced the blinds to bring those to Paris to trade with the French. 

There are different types of blinds but Roman, vertical, Venetian, panel and roller blinds are the major categories. While many people use them interchangeably, these are actually different types of shades and they fit different types of windows the best. There are many agencies who sell blinds in east London where you can find the following blinds.

•    Roman blinds are made from cloths and they fold up when they are pulled up. One single piece of cloth is fixed on the slats so the blind stacks up nicely on the horizontal plates when the chain or the cord is pulled. This type of blinds provide great insulation during the winter as they can be lowered all the way down and stays flat as a single piece of fabric.

•    Roller blinds, on the other hand, are made of solid piece of cloth which rolls, instead of folding, when the chain is pulled up. There are no slats in these blinds so the whole thing is lightweight. Generally, aluminium cylinders are used at the top for rolling the fabric.

•    Venetian blinds have no fabric but have horizontal slats. These slats used to be made of wood but in modern time, they are also made of aluminium or vinyl and they stack against each other neatly, when pulled up. When the slats are rotated from top to bottom, they allow light to pass through the whole blind. These blinds can be set at different angles to allow appropriate amount of light entering the inside.

•    Vertical blinds are also called louvre blinds and they are similar to Venetian blinds, except for one difference, the slats are vertical i.e. top to bottom, as you can guess by the name. While, for smaller windows, there are thin vertical slats, vertical blinds are generally better for sliding doors or bigger windows. Buildings which have glass walls use vertical blinds to create an anti-glare screen so that as much light enters the inside as possible.