We all know how problematic insulation can be in New Zealand homes when the colder weather starts to set in. There are many ways to improve the warmth and comfort of your home, but you may not have considered shutters as one of them! Not only do they look great, but when installed correctly, Shutters are a great way to retain heat inside rooms and prevent the chilly air outside from entering.
What type of shutter is best?
At Harvey Furnishings, we provide a large selection of shutters to suit your windows and doors, all of which can be customised with the help of our professional consultants. These include:
- Hinged shutters: Can be fitted directly to a frame, or supplied in a pre-made frame of set measurements.
- Bi-fold shutters: Usually cover doorways or are used as room dividers.
- Sliding panel shutters: Mainly used in doorways and run on a double tracking system.
- Shaped shutters: Can be adapted to fit windows that are angled, round, half-round, left and right quarter, hexagon, octagon, oval and triangle shaped.
- Fixed shutters: Attach to windows using magnets and have adjustable louvres (horizontal slats).
What makes shutters a great insulation option?
Windows contribute to 20 per cent of a home’s heat loss, according to a study by Green Building Consultancy Ltd. An additional 25 per cent of heat loss occurs from infiltration and ventilation.
While windows are necessary to let light in and provide ventilation, they are definitely a weak point in terms of insulation. This is where window coverings come into play, to prevent openings from letting out all the heat inside a room.
Shutters are a great solution for the following reasons:
- They are cheaper to install than double glazing
- They’re easy to use
- They can be adjusted to suit the time of day and season
How shutters can help insulate your home
Shutters work by trapping a layer of air between the window and the room. This little air pocket keeps the outside air out and the inside air in!
In winter, this means that the cold air stays outside, keeping your living areas nice and warm. And, while you might think insulation is only needed over the colder months, it’s also necessary in summer. Installing shutters can help ensure the hot air stays outside, so you don’t start sweating up a storm inside.
For more information on how shutters work to insulate your home, take a look at the infographic below.
