Plantation shutters (also known as window shutters) are a popular choice for homes in the UK. Their timeless style makes them perfect for modern and period homes alike, helping to control natural light and privacy, whilst also increasing the curb appeal and value of your property.
What’s more, window shutters can be made from hardwoods and composite materials such as faux wood and PVC-coated hardwoods, and can be fitted in every room. Shutters are even suitable for moisture-prone, high-use spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens.
But when it comes to fitting window dressings in your home, and choosing between blinds, curtains, and shutters – or a combination of each – it’s worthwhile to consider how they affect the temperature of a room, especially in the summer months.
So do internal shutters help to reduce heat? Let’s answer your question…
Do internal shutters reduce heat?
Internal window shutters can help to stabilise heat in homes, acting as insulators. This means that installing internal shutters can help to make your home feel warmer in the winter months and cooler in the summer months.
In fact, studies by the BBSA (British Blind and Shutter Association) found that made-to-measure internal window shutters can reduce heat loss by 28% in winter and reduce internal temperatures by 8-13°C in the summer.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned that southern England could regularly experience heatwaves exceeding 40°C, increasing the importance of passive cooling measures such as shading and solar control. They have urged the government to accelerate efforts to adapt the UK to a warming and increasingly volatile climate, warning that risks from flooding, drought and extreme heat are becoming more significant for homes and infrastructure.
The committee highlighted that nine in ten homes in Britain were not designed to withstand the heat of future summers that could reach 45°C. While many in northern parts of the UK may just need shutters and blinds, those in the south may need to be fitted with heat pumps capable of both heating and cooling.
This makes installing window shutters a great choice, not only to make your home more comfortable, but also to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills.
How do window shutters help keep a home cool?
As modern windows installed in the UK, specifically double and triple-glazed windows, are designed to keep homes insulated and energy-efficient, heat can become trapped in your home largely due to the greenhouse effect from your windows.
With the slats closed, window shutters act as a barrier to natural light coming in from your windows, helping to stop the greenhouse effect from increasing the temperature of your home. This is especially effective in warm summer months and in strong daylight.
If you’ve ever entered your home in the summer after a long day out or a day at work, and come home to an uncomfortable wave of heat when you step inside, internal window shutters can help to prevent this heat buildup.
How to set your internal shutters to reduce heat in summer and strong daylight?
To keep your home cool during the daytime, you will need to close your shutter louvres. This means setting your shutters so the slats or louvres are tilted upwards to prevent direct sunlight from entering your home whilst also preventing glare.
Keeping the cool in and insects out
In the peak of summer, who doesn’t love opening a window or back door to let the calm, cooling breeze in? Unfortunately, insects, flies, and mosquitoes also seem to love summer evenings and set their sights on entering your home.
If this sounds familiar, fly screen shutters are a popular way to keep your home cool and free from pesky bugs.
Fly screen shutters combine the beauty of window shutters with the practicality of fly screens, helping to keep insects at bay. The fly screens fit discreetly into the shutter frames, meaning they can be tucked out of sight when they’re not needed in cooler weather, but are ready to use as soon as it starts warming up.
They’re a perfect addition to homes in the UK and can help to keep your home cooler and more comfortable, so you can unwind in your conservatory, living room, bedroom, and extensions without the interference of flies.
The Shutter Studio – Creating quality, made-to-measure window shutters since 2011
At The Shutter Studio, we’ve built a reputation as one of the leading window dressing suppliers in the South East. We craft quality, affordable made-to-measure window shutters, blinds, and awnings suitable for all homes, windows, and doors.
With a full range of personalisation options available for all of our window dressings, we offer free consultations and measurements – helping to pair you with the perfect window coverings for your home and vision.
To get started, get in touch with our friendly experts today.
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