Plantation Shutter FAQs — Every Question Answered, Directly and Honestly
This page exists because most shutter companies answer questions in a way designed to move you towards a sale. Colin answers them in a way designed to give you the information you actually need, whether that ends in a booking or not.
Below you will find answers to every significant question about plantation shutters: types, materials, installation, repair, cost, conservation areas, guarantees, and how Colin's service compares to the national chains. If your question is not here, call or email and you will get a direct answer within the day.
About Colin and Shutter Installation
Who actually carries out the survey and installation?
Colin does, always. He is the founder of Shutter Installation, and the only person who ever surveys, measures, orders and fits a job. There are no subcontractors, no junior fitters, and no situation where the person who surveys your windows is different from the person who installs your shutters. This matters because every measurement decision, every product specification call, and every installation judgement is made by the same person with seventeen years of accumulated experience and that person is accountable for the outcome with a personal 10-year guarantee.
How long has Colin been installing plantation shutters?
Since 2009. Shutter Installation has been operating continuously across South West London and Surrey for over fifteen years, through the period when plantation shutters moved from a premium niche product to the standard choice for quality window dressing in the area. Colin has installed thousands of shutters across every type of property in the service area, Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, Georgian townhouses, 1930s semis, post-war housing, riverside apartments, and contemporary new-builds.
Why should I use an independent specialist rather than a national chain?
The structural argument is straightforward. National chains, Just Shutters, Hillarys, California Shutters, and Plantation Shutters Ltd operate through a franchisee or area-representative model. A surveyor visits, passes measurements to a central ordering team, a subcontractor installs, and a separate customer service team handles any after-sales issues. Each handoff loses information and dilutes accountability. When Colin surveys your windows, he personally holds every measurement, specification decision and installation judgement in his head, because he will be the one fitting the shutters and the one standing behind them for ten years. The financial difference is also significant: an equivalent specification typically costs around £500 less with Colin than with a national chain, because the quote does not contain a franchisee margin or subcontractor mark-up.
Do you use subcontractors?
Never. Not under any circumstances. Every job Colin accepts is surveyed and installed by Colin personally. This is not a marketing claim, it is the structural basis of the 10-year personal guarantee. A guarantee backed by a person is only meaningful if that person did the work.
What areas do you cover?
The primary service area covers South West London and Surrey: Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Wimbledon, Esher, East and West Molesey, Hampton, Thames Ditton, Surbiton, New Malden, Cobham, Walton-on-Thames, Claygate, Feltham, Sunbury, Whitton, East Sheen, Mortlake, Barnes and Putney. If you are unsure whether your postcode is covered, call the answer is almost certainly yes.
Is there a minimum order size?
No. Colin installs single windows as readily as full-property commissions. Many customers begin with one room and return for further rooms after seeing the result.
Types of Plantation Shutter
What types of plantation shutters do you install?
Colin installs the full range of plantation shutter configurations:
Full-height shutters — single configuration covering the entire window aperture
Tier-on-tier shutters — upper and lower panels that operate independently
Café-style shutters — covering the lower section of the window only
Bi-folding shutters — panels that fold back on themselves via a track system, for wide apertures
Tracked shutters — sliding track systems for very wide bays and multi-window runs
Solid panel shutters — no louvres; full-panel construction for maximum privacy and blackout
Shaped shutters — bespoke manufacturing for arched, triangular and non-rectangular apertures
Motorised shutters — remote-controlled or smart-home-integrated configurations
Conservatory shutters — engineered for extreme thermal conditions
What is the difference between full-height and tier-on-tier shutters?
Full-height shutters cover the entire window as a single configuration — one set of panels from frame top to frame bottom, with all louvres operating together (or in split-tilt, where upper and lower louvres tilt independently within the same panel). Tier-on-tier shutters divide the window into two completely separate sections — upper and lower — each with its own panels that open and close independently. This means you can have the lower section closed for privacy while the upper section is open for light, or any combination in between. Tier-on-tier is the natural choice for Victorian and Edwardian sash windows and for any ground-floor room facing directly onto a street.
What are bi-folding shutters and when do I need them?
Bi-folding shutters are configured so that panels fold back on themselves — two or more panels hinged together that compress into a narrow stack when opened, rather than swinging out individually. They are the preferred solution for wide bay windows, patio door apertures, French doors and any situation where a standard hinged panel would obstruct passage or block light when open. Bi-folding configurations require a track system fitted with engineering precision — the track must be level, the panel clearances must be correct, and the pivot points must be aligned so the system operates smoothly across its full range. This is a specialism; Colin installs bi-folding shutters regularly across Kingston, Esher, Richmond and Wimbledon.
What are café-style shutters?
Café-style shutters cover the lower portion of the window only, leaving the upper section completely unobstructed. They originated in the privacy culture of Northern European terrace housing and translate directly to the Victorian and Edwardian street-fronting properties of South West London. The effect is maximum natural light from above while providing complete privacy at street-eye level. Café-style is the most popular configuration for kitchen windows, ground-floor living rooms facing footpaths, and any window where a net curtain is currently doing the privacy work.
What are tracked shutters?
Tracked shutters run on a horizontal track fixed to the head of the window frame, rather than being hinged at the side reveal. Panels slide along the track and stack to one side when opened. They are the correct solution for very wide apertures — multi-window bays, wide patio openings, and room-divider applications, where a bi-folding or hinged configuration would not work due to the sheer width involved. Track installation is technically demanding and is a specific area of Colin's expertise.
Can you install shutters on bay windows?
Yes, and this is one of the most frequently requested installation types across the service area. Bay windows require each panel to be individually sized and hinged so they follow the geometry of the bay — whether that is a squared three-panel Victorian bay, an angled five-panel configuration, or a curved bow bay. The challenge is ensuring panels fold cleanly back into the reveals at the correct angle without fouling each other. This step is rushed or miscalculated by less experienced installers, and is the most common reason bay window shutters develop alignment problems within the first year.
Can you install shutters on sash windows?
Yes, and sash windows are among the most rewarding windows for plantation shutters. Tier-on-tier is the standard specification for sash proportions, replicating the ventilation behaviour of the original sash mechanism while adding the light control and privacy management that a sash window was never designed to provide. Colin installs original Victorian sash windows, refurbished sash windows and modern tilt-turn replacements across Twickenham, Richmond, Teddington and Molesey.
Can you install shutters on arched or shaped windows?
Yes. Arched, circular, triangular and sloped-ceiling apertures require bespoke-manufactured shutters produced to match the specific profile of the opening. The solid or louvred lower section sits below the arch, and a shaped solid panel fills the arch itself. If you have been told by another company that shutters are not possible on your shaped window, call Colin, in most cases, there is a viable solution.
Do you install motorised plantation shutters?
Yes. Motorised shutters are operated via remote control, wall switch, app, or integration with a smart home system. They are the logical choice for high windows that are difficult to reach manually, for full-room automation, and for integration with home control systems such as Google Home, Apple HomeKit or Alexa. Colin specifies and installs motorised configurations across the service area.
Can plantation shutters be used as room dividers?
Yes, tracked shutter systems are the standard solution for room-divider applications. Panels slide on a ceiling-mounted or overhead track and can be configured to divide open-plan spaces as required. The system folds flat when not in use and provides genuine privacy and acoustic separation when closed.
Materials — Hardwood vs Polywood
What is the difference between hardwood and Polywood shutters?
Hardwood shutters are precision-milled timber — typically basswood or paulownia — with a factory-applied paint finish. They are denser, produce a more refined aesthetic, and have a longer lifespan in normal conditions. Polywood is a cellular PVC composite engineered to be dimensionally stable in humidity and direct UV exposure, accepting the same paint finish as hardwood but without the risk of warping, swelling or paint failure in high-moisture environments. Both are UK-manufactured to the specifications Colin supplies.
When should I choose Polywood over hardwood?
Polywood is the correct material specification for: bathrooms and en-suites, kitchens, utility rooms, conservatories, south-facing rooms with intense direct sunlight, and any window where condensation regularly forms on the glass. In these environments, hardwood shutters will eventually warp, swell or develop paint failure, not because of poor manufacturing, but because timber is responsive to moisture by its nature. Colin will tell you honestly which material your situation requires. He will not install hardwood in an environment where it will fail.
Are Polywood shutters as attractive as hardwood?
To the eye, in most situations, indistinguishable. Both are available in the same colour ranges and louvre widths. The practical difference is behaviour over time, not appearance at installation. In rooms where hardwood is the correct specification — living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms — hardwood is the better product. In rooms where Polywood is the correct specification, hardwood is not a better-looking option; it is the wrong option.
H3: What louvre sizes are available?
Louvre widths typically range from 47mm to 114mm, with 63mm and 89mm being the most common choices. Larger louvres — 89mm and above — suit larger windows, contemporary interiors and rooms where maximum view-through is important when the louvres are open. Smaller louvres — 47mm and 63mm — suit cottage-style properties, smaller windows and where a more traditional appearance is required. Colin will show you samples at the survey and recommend the most appropriate size for your window proportions.
H3: What paint colours are available?
The standard range covers white, off-white and cream, the correct choices for the vast majority of South West London properties and the colours that photograph best in estate agent particulars. Bespoke colour matching is available for hardwood shutters where required, and a range of grey and darker tones is available for contemporary specifications. Colin brings colour samples to the survey.
Are the shutters UK-manufactured?
Yes. Colin supplies UK-manufactured hardwood and Polywood shutters. This is a deliberate decision, not a marketing distinction. UK manufacturing means that quality control, product specifications and after-sales component availability are all to British standards. It also means that if a repair requires a replacement component within the guarantee period, the component exists and is accessible.
Installation Process
What happens at the survey?
Colin visits, measures every window precisely, assesses the condition of the reveals and surrounding structure, and discusses configuration options with you directly. He will tell you honestly what will and will not work on your specific windows, recommend the correct material, and give you a fixed price before he leaves. The survey typically takes between thirty minutes and ninety minutes, depending on the number of windows. There is no charge and no obligation.
How long does installation take?
A single-room installation typically takes between two and four hours. A full-property installation across multiple rooms is generally completed in a single day. There is no disruption to the rest of the house beyond the room being worked on at the time. Colin brings all equipment and materials; you do not need to prepare anything beyond clearing reasonable access to the windows.
What is the lead time from survey to installation?
Hardwood shutters are manufactured to order and carry a standard lead time of three to four weeks from order confirmation. Polywood configurations are typically faster. Colin provides a precise timeline at survey — not an estimate range designed to absorb supply chain unpredictability.
Do I need to do anything to prepare my windows before installation?
In most cases, nothing. If the window reveal contains obstructive fixings from previous blinds or curtain tracks, it is helpful to have these removed in advance — but Colin can also remove them as part of the installation process if needed. If your windows are being replaced before the shutter installation, coordinate the glazing replacement first and inform Colin of any reveal dimension changes before the order is placed.
Will the installation damage my walls or window frames?
A correctly executed plantation shutter installation causes no damage to the surrounding wall or window frame. The frame is fixed into the window reveal using appropriate fixings for the substrate — timber frame, masonry, or plasterboard — and all fixings are concealed within the shutter frame itself. When shutters are eventually removed — which is uncommon, but happens during property renovation — the fixing points are typically beneath the frame shadow line and require minimal cosmetic attention.
Can shutters be installed in a rented property?
Yes, subject to landlord approval. The installation is fully reversible — frames can be removed and fixing points cosmetically repaired. Many landlords actively request plantation shutters in rental properties because they add marketable value and are more durable than fabric blinds. If you are a tenant considering shutters, Colin is happy to speak with your landlord directly to address any concerns.
Can shutters be installed if my windows are being replaced soon?
If a window replacement is planned within the next twelve months, it is generally better to wait. New double glazing changes the reveal dimensions, and shutters specified for old windows may not fit new ones without modification. If the window replacement is further out, proceed with the installation and plan for a refitting service when the glazing is changed. Colin offers a post-window-replacement refitting service specifically to address this situation.
What happens if my walls are not straight or my window reveals are uneven?
This is normal — particularly in period properties throughout Twickenham, Richmond and Teddington, where walls have moved over decades and reveals are rarely perfectly square. Colin identifies and corrects for this at the installation stage, using sub-frame construction where necessary to create a true, square frame for the shutters to hang in. A shutter frame that is installed into an out-of-square reveal will warp over time and the panels will bind. This is one of the most common causes of shutter problems in properties fitted by less experienced installers.
Can shutters be fitted to UPVC window frames?
Yes — with appropriate fixings selected for the UPVC substrate. UPVC frames require different fixing methods than timber or masonry reveals, and the choice of fixings affects both the security of the installation and the appearance of the finished result. Colin specifies and installs UPVC across the service area.
Repairs and Maintenance
Can you repair shutters that were installed by another company?
Yes — and this is one of the most common services Colin provides. National chains have poor after-sales infrastructure. Online supply-only retailers have none. Many smaller local installers have ceased trading since 2020. This leaves a significant number of homeowners across South West London with shutters that have developed faults and no clear route to professional repair. Colin will assess any shutters regardless of origin and provide an honest diagnosis and a fixed repair price before any work begins.
My louvres drop and won't hold position — is this repairable?
In almost all cases, yes. Louvre tension is maintained by small tension clips or staples at the louvre pivot point. These wear over time more rapidly in budget-grade products, but are replaceable in the majority of shutter types. Louvre tension repair is one of the most frequently carried out jobs across the service area, and it transforms the usability of a shutter that has become frustrating to operate.
My shutter frame has pulled away from the wall — does this mean I need new shutters?
Not necessarily. Frame pull-away typically indicates that the original fixings were placed into insufficient substrate, a common problem in older properties with hollow plasterboard reveals or soft mortar. In most cases, the frame can be re-fixed using appropriate anchors for the substrate and re-squared. The panels are usually undamaged. Colin will assess whether re-fixing is viable on-site and give a clear answer before any work proceeds.
My shutters are stiff and difficult to operate — what is causing this?
Stiffness almost always has one of three causes. First, frame racking — where the frame has moved out of square due to wall movement or original installation error, causing the panel to bind against the frame. Second, hinge binding — where a hinge has shifted position or corroded. Third, panel warping — rare in quality hardwood under normal conditions, more common in budget timber or MDF-core products, and most common in hardwood installed in high-moisture environments. Colin diagnoses the cause on-site and provides a fixed price for the relevant repair.
My track system grinds or is stiff to operate — can this be fixed?
Yes. Track systems develop operational problems for several reasons: contamination of the track channel, incorrect clearance tolerances at installation, fastener loosening causing track deflection, or panel weight distribution shifting over time. Colin services and re-tensions track systems as a standalone job. In most cases, a service visit restores full smooth operation without requiring track replacement.
Can you repair painted hardwood shutters that have discoloured or chipped?
Yes. Surface refinishing — addressing UV discolouration, paint chalking, chip damage and general weathering — is available for hardwood shutters. The result is indistinguishable from new at a fraction of the replacement cost. This service is particularly common in south-facing rooms where UV exposure is intense.
How often do plantation shutters need servicing?
Quality plantation shutters in a normal domestic environment require very little maintenance. A check of louvre tension, hinge tightness and frame fixings every three to five years is adequate for most installations. If you notice any change in operation — stiffness, louvres failing to hold position, panel alignment shifting, address it promptly rather than waiting; small adjustment issues are inexpensive to fix and compound into larger structural problems if left.
How do I clean plantation shutters?
Dust the louvres with a soft cloth or duster, working from top to bottom with the louvres set horizontally. For more thorough cleaning, a lightly damp cloth works on both hardwood and Polywood shutters — avoid saturating hardwood shutters with water. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvent-based products on painted surfaces. For Polywood shutters in bathrooms, normal domestic bathroom cleaning products are safe.
Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and Planning
Do I need planning permission to install plantation shutters?
No, in virtually all cases. Internal plantation shutters do not alter the external appearance of a building and therefore fall entirely outside the scope of planning control. This applies in conservation areas, Article 4 Direction areas, and listed buildings. The shutter is an internal fitting; from the street, the window appearance is unchanged. Colin installs regularly in Richmond's extensive conservation areas, in listed properties throughout Twickenham and Richmond Hill, and in Article 4 areas across the service area without any planning involvement.
My property is Grade II listed — can I still have plantation shutters?
Yes. Internal plantation shutters are a traditional window treatment with roots in British domestic architecture that predate the conservation framework entirely. They do not constitute an alteration to the listed fabric of the building and do not require listed building consent. If you have any doubt, Colin is happy to support this position in writing for your records.
My estate has a restrictive covenant about window alterations — does this apply to shutters?
Restrictive covenants vary in their wording, but the majority of covenants that address window alterations are concerned with external modifications, replacement glazing, window style changes, and external shutters. Internal plantation shutters are generally outside the scope of such covenants. If your covenant is unusually broad, Colin is happy to review the wording with you. In practice, this has never been a barrier to an installation in the service area.
My building is in a conservation area and I want shutters that look period-appropriate — is this possible?
Yes — and this is an area where correct specification matters. For Victorian and Edwardian properties, tier-on-tier shutters in hardwood with a 47mm or 63mm louvre are the period-appropriate choice. Full-height configurations are appropriate for Georgian proportions. Colin has installed shutters in conservation properties throughout Richmond, Twickenham and Kew and can show you reference installations in comparable properties.
Cost, Pricing and Value
How much do plantation shutters cost?
Plantation shutter cost is determined by window size, configuration complexity, material choice, and number of windows. As a general indication, a single standard casement window in full-height hardwood configuration typically falls in the range of £250 to £500. A full living room bay window in hardwood tier-on-tier will typically range from £600 to £1,200, depending on bay size and complexity. Full-property installations across multiple rooms benefit from economies in survey and installation time. Colin provides a fixed price at the survey, there are no hidden costs added after the quote is accepted. Full cost guide →
Why do quotes from different companies vary so much?
Because the underlying products vary significantly in quality, and because different business models carry fundamentally different cost structures. A national chain quote includes a franchisee margin, a national sales infrastructure cost, and a subcontractor installation fee. Colin's quote includes the product and the installation. The material and manufacturing quality is comparable or superior, the installation quality is demonstrably higher because the same person who sold the job is doing it, and the price is lower because there is no intermediary margin. The average saving on a like-for-like specification is around £500.
Is there a survey or callout charge?
No. The survey is free and carries no obligation. Colin visits, assesses, measures and quotes and if you decide not to proceed, there is no charge.
Do you require a deposit?
A deposit is taken when the order is confirmed to cover manufacturing costs. The balance is due on completion of installation. Specific deposit terms are confirmed at the time of order.
Are plantation shutters a good investment for property value?
Yes — measurably so. Plantation shutters are now expected in quality property presentations across South West London, and their absence is increasingly noted in estate agent valuations at the upper end of the market. Beyond perceived value, hardwood shutters are a durable fixture that outlasts fabric blinds several times. In rental properties, they reduce the frequency of window dressing replacement and are resistant to the accidental damage that fabric treatments are vulnerable to.
Do shutters reduce energy bills?
Measurably — particularly in period properties with original or older glazing. Hardwood plantation shutters create a sealed air layer in the window reveal that reduces convective heat loss through the glass. The effect is most pronounced on large sash windows and on windows without double glazing. In a Victorian terrace with multiple large sash windows, plantation shutters provide a thermal benefit comparable to secondary glazing at a fraction of the cost and disruption. Full energy efficiency analysis →
Guarantees and After-Sales
What guarantee do you offer?
A personal 10-year guarantee on every installation. This means Colin — not a company, not a call centre — is personally responsible for making good any installation or product fault within ten years of completion. The guarantee travels with the property if you sell: the new owners inherit it.
What is the difference between a personal guarantee and a company guarantee?
A company guarantee is contingent on the company continuing to exist. National shutter chains operate through franchise models that change ownership, restructure, and occasionally cease trading. A personal guarantee from Colin is contingent only on Colin, a single individual with seventeen years of reputation in a specific geographic area, with every professional incentive to honour it. In practice, Colin has never had to be compelled to return and fix something; it has never been necessary.
What happens if I have a problem after installation?
Call Colin directly. There is no ticket system, no call centre queue, no area manager to go through. One phone call to the person who fitted your shutters, and a resolution is arranged.
Do you offer an ongoing maintenance service?
Yes — louvre tensioning, hinge adjustment, track servicing and operational checks are available as standalone service visits beyond the guarantee period. Annual or biennial maintenance visits are available for customers who prefer scheduled servicing.
Comparisons With Other Installers
How do you compare with Just Shutters?
Just Shutters operates through a franchise network. Your installer is a local franchisee, not a company employee, and the person who surveys your windows is typically not the person who installs them. After-sales support is inconsistent across the franchise network. Colin surveys and installs every job personally, with a direct personal guarantee. On a like-for-like basis, Colin's pricing is typically lower.
How do you compare with Hillary's?
Hillary's is the largest window treatment company in the UK and operates through a network of self-employed advisors and installers. Product quality is variable across the range. The installation experience is dependent on which installer attends. Colin brings seventeen years of specialist shutter experience — not a general window treatment background — to every survey. A plantation shutter installation requires specific knowledge and experience that a generalist blind installer does not necessarily possess.
How do you compare with California Shutters?
California Shutters is a direct competitor with a similar product positioning. Their operations model uses area representatives and subcontracted installation. Colin's model is structurally different: one person, full responsibility, personal guarantee. Product quality is comparable; installation quality is higher because the person doing the installation is also the person whose reputation is at stake.
Can you beat a quote I've already received?
Colin will provide an honest quote based on the correct specification for your windows. If a competitor's quote is lower, it is worth understanding why — whether through lower material quality, a narrower product specification, or an aggressive sale closing tactic. Colin will not reduce his price to match a quote for an inferior product, but if the specifications are genuinely equivalent, the conversation is worth having.
I bought shutters online that came flat-packed — can you install them?
This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Colin installs a third-party product only if the quality and specification are adequate. Many online supply-only shutters are manufactured to lower tolerances than UK-manufactured products, with panel dimensions that assume a standard reveal size rather than the actual measured reveal. If the product is correctly specified and of adequate quality, Colin will install it. If it is not — if it was measured against standard assumptions rather than your actual windows — installing it will produce an unsatisfactory result regardless of the installer's skill, and Colin will tell you this directly rather than proceed.
Still Have a Question?
If your question is not answered above, call or email directly. Colin answers his own phone and responds to every enquiry personally — usually within the hour during working hours.
Free survey available across Kingston, Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Wimbledon, Esher, Molesey, Hampton, Surbiton, Cobham, Walton-on-Thames and all surrounding areas.
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