Can someone talk to me about shutters please?

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Hello all. I'm trying to plan a redecoration in our living room. The window is a huge bay with leaded lights at the top. The window is original 1885 and is therefore single glazed and incredibly draughty. At the minute we have thick curtains but it's still cold in the room (open fireplace too which I will sort out). I think the window would look lovely with shutters but I wanted to know if they would increase or decrease the draught problem? Has anyone got them that could help with the pros and cons, and advice on suppliers? Thank you

Shutters will provide extra insulation. However, they also block light even if open but if it’s a big window and a sunny room then it might be ok anyway.

Are your windows listed? If not my friend had her huge bay window carefully removed and the leaded lights inserted in a new double glazed system. It looks the same but they now can enjoy their sitting room sans draughts.

Do you mean the traditional Victorian style or the slatted American style??

We've got big windows and installed slatted shutters. They look great and make a big difference to draughts (we've got double glazing but it's 15 yrs old). They do shut out some light even when open, but the room is very light anyway so we don't feel that we've lost out too much.

I’m thinking of slatted and as it’s a south facing window it shouldn’t feel dark. If we could afford to have a new window made we would certainly keep the leaded lights. We’re conservation area but not listed.

Secondary glazing will fix the draughts and insulate the windows. It can be invisible from outside. If you like nets it can be invisible from inside too.

If you’re not using the fireplace just fill a bin bag with balls of crumpled paper and shove it up the chimney.

We have a bay window (leaded) and have shutters. The window is west facing. The shutters do keep the cold out plus are great for keeping room cool in height of summer.

No issue with light.

If you have an old bay window get proper fitted shutters. The window is likely to be uneven. A company like Hilary's will NOT be the best option.

I recommend this company if you are down south

www.thehouseofshutters.co.uk

Carson very good point thank you!

Thanks all, useful advice!

We’ve just had some Victorian sashes refurbished - new lead weights sash cords etc but also, they installed small discreet brushes in the gap between the sash and the frame, which has massively reduced draughts.

I love shutters and we have some on our bay which sounds similar to yours (ours are only half height so you can see the stained glass at the top) . However I think there are better ways to stop draughts if that’s your main aim.