If you had shutters put in were you pleased with results?

[whataboutbob]

I'm thinking of putting PS in our flat. Have been here 12 years and still just have 2 cheap ikea curtains hanging from a pole, do not meet fully in middle, don't exclude any light, look naff.
I realise it's going to be expensive, I was in John Lewis and for our 2 windows, about 1m by 2m each it will be about £1200. But I think they'll "upgrade" the room, look smart and exclude more light in the evening,
I'd value comments from those who've had them installed, and any recommendations fo good firms. Thank you.

[whataboutbob]

Bit of a wild goose chase with the Traditional Shutter company. Cycled round to the address on the website but it was a home (albeit v well appointed with shutters all round). I'll have to send them an email. I'll also check out shutterstore.

[minipie]

We got ours from the Traditional Shutter Company and are very happy with them (though we got our own carpenter to fit ours because our window is a very unusual shape and also wonky, so can't comment on TSC fitting).

The reason we went with TSC is that they (along with New England who cost a bomb) have a slightly different design from most other shutter companies. Boring details coming up:

All shutters start with a fixed frame which screws to the window as a base. Then the shutter itself (the part that opens and shuts) attaches to the base frame with hinges. TSC/New England's shutters sit on top of the frame, whereas other companies' shutters sit inside the frame. There are pros and cons of both - the TSC style will stick out into the room a bit further, but has (I think) a neater look from the front.

I am a PITA little bit obsessive about details like this

[Suzietwo]

Californian shutter company ! Love them

[whataboutbob]

Not obsessive at all minipie that kind of detail is important! Thank you.

[BIWI]

ZOMBIE THREAD!

You're not here to spam the boards are you?

[Tubbyinthehottub]

Yes, I love mine. I used a local company. There is usually a wait because most suppliers get them shipped in from China, I believe.

[Wellbroughhall11]

Are there any companies that make them in the UK?

[Tubbyinthehottub]

I don't think so Well, not according to the local company I used anyway.

[Lala59]

Morning Ladies, just joined! Red your thread from 2016 in the process of ordering Plantation Shutters in MDF from Hillarys. Any thoughts gratefully received!

[Heronwatcher]

Honestly I would avoid Hilarys at all costs and get some quotes from more local companies. Hilarys supplied blinds and shutters to our most recent house which looked ok to start off with (albeit that some of the fixings were a bit plastic-y) but then slowly started breaking. Because we were just outside their guarantee period- which is ridiculously short for something so expensive- obviously they refused to do anything for free, but worse they wouldn’t even arrange for us to pay to get them mended. And this was only around 2 years after they were installed. We replaced the shutters with ones from a local company and I love the look of the shutters themselves but I would never use Hilarys again for anything. If you google reviews you will see that my experience is common unfortunately.

[Heronwatcher]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/products/747823-Hillarys-Blinds-are-they-worth-the-money

[SadiePurple]

We had blinds from Hillary's a few years ago, the actual blinds were okay but we had issues with the rep they sent out. I wouldn't use them again.

At the time there was some sort of promotion on with 50% off or similar but the rep wouldn't show us the price list so in reality the 50% could have been 40% or 10% or 5%.
I believe they are run as a franchise so the reps take a commission.


Re shutters, we used a local company, very pleased with them and have ordered more sets for other rooms. Only downside is the long waiting time, 3 or 4 months at the moment.