Are Plantation Shutters A Good Investment For Australian Homes?

Are plantation shutters a good investment for Australian homes? Yes. For people planning on living in their home for many years to come, plantation shutters are an excellent investment. Although they tend to be a bit pricier than your average blinds, plantation shutters are durable, can offer superior levels of light and privacy, and can add a nice amount of insulation for energy efficiency, all while increasing the value of your home.

If you are looking to upgrade your window treatments, it is only natural to wonder whether the initial expenditure will be worth it in the long run. After all, you cannot use cheap and flimsy curtains and blinds on a regular basis, so it might make a lot of sense to invest in custom shutters made specifically for your home in advance.

At Blinds By Design, we have been helping the residents of the Central West, Blue Mountains, and Lake Macquarie select the ideal window treatments for their home for over 25 years. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about plantation shutters, from what they are to the factors that influence their cost and whether they are the right choice for you.

Are Plantation Shutters Really a Good Investment?

In order to understand whether plantation shutters are worth the cost, it is essential to go through the factors that influence them. The value of this type of window treatment has to be estimated based on several aspects, including the upfront cost, maintenance, lifetime, impact on the indoor climate, and overall appearance.

Because they are custom measured and fitted to your window frames, quality shutters are a permanent fixture and not a throwaway furnishing as with other cheaper alternatives. When compared to other materials over the life cycle of the shutters (15-20 years), you will see that our plantation shutters represent excellent value for money compared to other products that warp, discolour and crack in our tough climate.

Why Plantation Shutters Can Be Worth the Investment

Homeowners choose plantation shutters for various reasons. Below is the list of the primary benefits of plantation shutters that can help justify the cost.

Long-Term Durability

High-quality plantation shutters are made to last. Whether you choose wood or modern alternative materials, they will resist the test of time. Hard shutters will not fray, tear, or hold stains the way fabric blinds might.

Better Light and Privacy Control

Shutters offer an incredible amount of flexibility. By simply tilting the louvres, you can allow in maximum light or exclude every unwanted ray. They can even be adjusted to your line of sight, allowing you to see outside without letting anyone see in. This flexibility makes them particularly good for street-facing windows and bedrooms.

Potential Thermal Comfort Benefits

From the cold winter mornings in Bathurst and The Blue Mountains to the hot summer afternoons in Orange or Belmont, Australian homes can see a wide range of temperatures. Custom-fitted shutters fit snugly into place to keep your home heated in the winter and cooled in the summer.

Low Maintenance

If you want to create a minimalist home or you do not desire to worry about any home maintenance chores such as dry-cleaning fabric blinds, then installing shutters will bring you endless convenience and satisfaction. The only special maintenance required for them is a simple cleaning with a damp cloth or duster.

Timeless Appearance

Trends come and go, but plantation shutters never go out of style. These elegant window treatments add value and kerb appeal to both historic and modern homes while adding architectural appeal from the inside.

Versatility Across Different Rooms

Thanks to their availability in diverse materials, these items can be installed virtually anywhere you want. You can also create an identical design throughout the whole front facade of the house, using timber for those rooms where it is needed and the moisture-resistant products for the bathrooms.

Do Plantation Shutters Increase the Value of Your Home?

This is one of the questions we are most frequently asked, and it is important to note that they don’t necessarily add a particular amount of value (in dollars) to the bank appraisal of your home. However, they do increase the buyer appeal, perceived value, and sellability of the home.

When buyers tour the home, they can see permanent updates. Quality plantation shutters say to potential buyers that their house has been tastefully upgraded with premier products. A buyer will also know they don’t have to spend the money on new window treatments because the home has beautiful plantation shutters. Therefore, homes with plantation shutters tend to sell quicker and for a higher price than those without them.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read our detailed comparison: Plantation Shutters Vs Blinds: Which Adds More Value To Your Home?

Are Plantation Shutters Energy Efficient?

Yes, plantation shutters can indeed help to make a home more energy efficient, providing they are correctly installed and used.

According to Australia’s YourHome.gov.au, up to 87% of summer heat gains and 40% of winter heat losses in a home are through windows. However, custom-made plantation shutters, when correctly installed, fit snugly into the reveal of the window, creating an air pocket between the glass and the shutters.

The energy performance of your shutters will depend on:

• Installation: Proper installation of window shutters is vital. A tight, professional fit leaves little room for air leaks.
• Window Orientation: Installing shutters on north- and west-facing windows can offer maximum protection from the afternoon sun.
• Operation: Make sure to close your louvres before the peak heating hours to reduce cooling bills.

They won’t replace the need for proper ceiling insulation or glazing, but they can be very effective in sealing up the thermal envelope of your home.

How Much Do Plantation Shutters Cost in Australia?

As plantation shutters are custom-made to millimetre precision, there is no standard price range. The cost of your plantation shutters will depend on a number of elements, including:

• Window Dimensions and Quantity: Larger windows will generally need more materials, and installing them all around the house will cost more than just on the front room.
• Material: Natural wood shutters and high-end materials such as Luxaflex PolySatin differ in production methods, which determine their pricing.
• Configuration and Shape: Standard rectangular windows are simple. However, any special shape (arches, triangles) or a sliding track system for big doors needs special production.
• Louvre Size and Finish: Special colours of paint, hidden tilt-rods, or special louvre width may also affect the final cost.

While they are premium products, the team here at Blinds By Design is able to give you an accurate, honest quote based on an in-person measurement of your space.

Timber vs PolySatin Plantation Shutters

When it comes to materials, make sure that you choose the right product that will last you for many years to come. Blinds By Design offers both classic timber shutters and more durable luxury plastic shutters. Below is a brief comparison of the two options.

When Plantation Shutters May NOT Be the Best Investment

We believe in honest advice. While we love plantation shutters, they aren’t the right fit for every home; they will not necessarily be the best option if:

• You are renting: Custom shutters are attached to the house, so they aren’t going to offer you much benefit if you’re just a tenant.
• You are moving in 6-12 months: As nice as it will look when you sell the place, you aren’t going to enjoy the improvements for very long.
• You have a very tight budget: If you need something cheap to save money, standard roller blinds are more appropriate to use for a while.
• You need full, 100% blackout: Although shutters provide excellent light insulation, often a thin line of light will creep through, so if you’re working shifts and want to create pitch black, a blockout roller blind with a cassette may be a better choice.

Plantation Shutters vs Other Window Treatments

How do shutters stack up against the alternatives?

• Upfront Cost: Higher than roller blinds and Venetian blinds, but comparable to high-end custom drapery.
• Durability: Far exceeds fabric blinds that fade and aluminium venetians that bend.
• Maintenance: Much easier to clean than curtains (dust attracts and needs to be washed) and standard venetians.
• Light Control: Much better than roller blinds (either all the way up or all the way down).

Are Plantation Shutters Worth It for Australian Homes?

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if plantation shutters are worth the investment. The decision will be based on your needs and circumstances.

Plantation shutters are worth considering if you:

• Plan to stay in the home for many years.
• Seeking durability for a long-lasting investment that won’t need to be replaced after only a few years of use.
• A desire for easy control of the amount of light coming into the room while offering privacy from the street.
• Looking for something that offers a permanent architectural feature that enhances the home’s street appeal.
• Want something that is easy to maintain and doesn’t require too much effort to keep clean.

Another window treatment may suit you better if you:

• Have a very limited budget for renovation.
• Would like to install temporary decoration while saving up for a permanent one.
• Want to renovate completely and change all the colours and styles every few years.

Ready to Upgrade Your Home?

Whether plantation shutters are a good investment for your home depends on your situation and what you want to achieve. Residents of the Central West, Blue Mountains or Lake Macquarie who are considering installing plantation shutters can speak to the experts at Blinds By Design.

We offer professional measurement, advice and installation to ensure your Plantation Shutters are perfect for years to come. Call us or visit one of our showrooms in Bathurst, Orange or Belmont.

FAQs About Plantation Shutters in Australia

How long do plantation shutters last?

High-quality custom plantation shutters can last up to 15-20 years or longer if properly maintained. However, premium synthetic shutters such as Luxaflex PolySatin are fade and blister-resistant and therefore can be considered as a long-lasting investment that will provide you with decades of satisfaction in Australia’s climatic conditions.

Are plantation shutters easy to clean?

Yes, plantation shutters are one of the simplest window treatments to clean because they do not require washing or dry cleaning like the curtains but instead are wiped with a damp cloth or a dry duster. In addition, shutters made of PolySatin can also be cleaned with a mild soap solution.

Are plantation shutters suitable for bathrooms?

Yes, but you need to choose the right material, because wood shutters tend to warp in a wet area. So, for the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room we recommend PolySatin or synthetic shutters that are more resistant to moisture.

Do plantation shutters make a room dark?

Plantation Shutters are very good at reducing light in a room, which makes them excellent for bedrooms and nurseries. Due to the moving slats, however, a small amount of light can come through the edges of the shutters. Very effective, but not completely blacking out the room.

Can plantation shutters help keep a house cool in summer?

Yes, by closing the louvres on the hottest days, the plantation shutters provide a barrier of protection by reflecting solar heat and trapping a pocket of air to help insulate and keep rooms cool, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning.