In Western Australia we experience some of the most intense ultraviolet radiation levels on the planet.
Thin fabric blinds or cheap ready made curtains are no match for the Perth sun and most of them will disintegrate within two years of being installed in a north facing Perth window.
When our shutter experts from Prestige Plantation Shutters visit homes in coastal suburbs like Scarborough or City Beach we always see window treatments that have baked into the glass. Literally.
The plastic components become brittle and snap while the fabric loses its structural integrity and begins to flake away.
Why standard blinds fail in the Perth sun
Most product you can buy off the shelf are designed for European or American climates.
In Perth the sun heats up the windows and that heat builds up between the glass and the blind creating a pocket of trapped air that can exceed 60 degrees.
This stress caused by the heat can cause the internal mechanisms to seize up and the fabric to bow.
If you notice that your fabric is degrading, the plastic is warping or your cords and pulleys are failing, these can be sins it’s time to upgrade. You may also notice your lounges or carpets beginning to fade.
The investment of premium plantation shutters is not about a design trend. Its about making your house ready to handle the thermal load of a WA summer.
Perth sun destroys standard fabrics through thermal stress and UV rot. Quality shutters act as a heat shield rather than just a light filter.
Cheap shutter imports
A lot of local suppliers will offer you a deal that seems too good to pass up on PVC shutters. The truth is that many of these cheap imports are hollow or lack an internal aluminium core.
We see these shutters sag within six months because they cannot handle the heat. Without a solid core the louvres eventually will warp.
Because of this structural failure the shutters stop closing properly. You end up with gaps that let in light and heat which defeats the whole purpose of the installation.
Dealing with the salt spray
If you live west of the highway your window hardware is under constant attack from salt crystallisation. The Fremantle Doctor brings that salty air every single afternoon.
Standard metal hinges and staples in cheap shutters will start to pit and rust almost immediately.
We only use high grade stainless steel or treated hardware that can handle the coastal environment without seizing.
You need to make sure you are using stainless steel tension screws, UV rated paint finishes that do not yellow, aluminium reinforced louvres and marine grade hidden tilt rods.
If your home is by the sea you need marine grade hardware to prevent hinge bind and rust. Always ask if the shutters have an aluminium core for stability.
The real reason your power bills are so high
Glass is essentially a massive hole in your home insulation. Even if you have the best of the best of ceiling batts and air conditioning, you are losing the battle by having a thin piece of cloth covering your windows.
Plantation shutters create that sealed air gap against the window frame. This air pocket acts as a secondary layer of insulation that keeps the cool air inside where it belongs.
The installation of plantation shutters can reduce solar heat gain by up to 87 per cent while also saving money because it lowers the need for constant air conditioning. They also prevent heat loss during cold winter nights.
Why we avoid the bog up approach to installation
A cheap contractor will often use a tube of gap filler to hide a poor measurement. They bog up the space between the shutter frame and the wall and hope you don’t notice the mess.
Over time that filler will shrink and crack leaving an ugly black line around your window. We take the time to get a perfect measurement so the frame sits perfectly in there.
If a window is out of square which is common in older homes in suburbs like Subiaco we adjust the frame build rather than just filling the gap with goop.
A professional install should look like it was part of the original house design.
Making your bathroom shutters water ready
Installing windows in bathrooms can be tricky because of the moisture. Timber shutters and moisture can be an interesting combination, even thebest paint wont stop a timber shutter from swelling and rotting in a steamy bathroom.
This is why PVC shutters are the best choice for bathrooms. It looks identical to timber but it is completely waterproof and won’t grow mould in the louvres.
The reason PVC shutters are the ideal choice over timber is because they are a completely non porous material meaning no water or moisture can get inside. They are also easy to wipe clean of soap scum and will not swell or delaminate.
If you are tired of replacing your blinds every few years or watching your power bills climb every summer it is time to look at a permanent fix.
Prestige Shutters WA can help you find a solution that actually works for your local weather.
Get in touch with our Perth team today so we can help discuss the best options for your home.
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