FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about adding shutters to your home? We’d be happy to answer your question personally but have a browse of our FAQS below to see if we’ve already answered it.
Shutter Questions
Shutters come in a variety of different materials and each shutter company will supply you with something different. If you’re gathering quotes then make sure you are comparing the same material like-for-like.
At Chelmsford Shutters, we are all about quality and finish so it’s wood all the way! Most windows will benefit from a strong wooden shutters. They look great, feel nice and the louvres won’t sag. They can be used on bays, doors and shapes, be cut around tiles or skirting board and have a much wider choice of frames, colours and options. It’s a no brainer really!
Yes, we can supply MDF shutters on smaller windows as well as a range of other materials. Our estimates are always for wooden shutters as it is by far our most popular material but we can discuss other materials at your survey if you wish.
The short answer is no. We know most customers keep their shutters closed and only tilt the louvres for light and privacy. With this in mind, it will make designing your shutters much easier. With the right design, colour and louvre size you will get a lot more space and light in your room than you imagined.
While it can make the measuring and fitting process more challenging, we have a few tricks up our sleeve to allow shutters to be fitted, although there can be some limitations.
No problem! Out unique fitting method and shadow gap allows for out of level windows. The shadow gap gives the illusion of a square window and neatly blends the wall and shutter frame together.
As most customers keep their shutters closed and only tilt the louvres for light and privacy, large louvres look best. To maximise the light and space in your room, choose either the medium 76mm or large 89mm louvre blades.
Traditionally, shutters had a central control rod running down the front of the louvre blades which you would use to open/close the louvres. Now it is more popular to have this mechanism built into the shutter frame so you don’t see it. We offer this as standard as it provides a neat clean look and more privacy options.
Each shutters is hinged either left or right and can be opened to access the window. However, most customers keep the shutters closed and only tilt the louvres for light and privacy. It’s more important to get the design right than to worry about how or where the shutters will fold back.
Yes we do. On their own, our shutters will match an average pair of curtains in the amount of light they will stop coming into your bedroom. But upgrade to the ‘blackout’ option and you can achieve almost total darkness.
With the right design, colour and louvre size, shutters will make your room feel larger and brighter. You will get light reflecting off the louvres and be pleasantly surprised with the space they create, especially when removing curtains.
Absolutely! We offer an ABS shutter which is 100% waterproof and comes with stainless steel hinges.
Yes, we supply S:Craft shutters which are guaranteed for 3 years.
And that’s not all! Like over 8000 happy customers, we will ensure that you are 100% satisfied with your new shutters. That’s the Chelmsford Shutters guarantee.
Cost of Shutters
Actually, not as much as you might think and no more than made to measure curtains!
We are open and honest about how we price, and calculate the coat based on the square meter size of your window. Typically we just need the width and height of the opening. The design, number of shutters or louvre size does not affect the cost.
We know our customers prefer wooden shutters so as standard we will price for out elite wood shutters. However, we can provide prices for alternative materials.
As a guide, the price before any discount would be approximately £450 per sqm. This includes hidden tilt rods (9/10 customers choose them anyway), vat and our detailed measuring and complete fitting service.
- Low profile handles might be needed on bay windows
- Spacing battens could be required on doors with large handles
- Cut outs around any skirting boards or tiles
- Design options such as blackout, waterproof, shapes or tracks
- Custom colours
Yes, as our measuring and fitting costs are built into the square meter price, the minimum order is £750 inc vat.
3 Section Window 1700mm x 1300mm would cost £750 – £850
3 Sectioned Angled Bay 3000 x 1300mm would cost £1350 – £1450
4 Section Doors 2500 x 2050mm would cost £1950 – £2050
Yes, the estimate will include the measuring and fitting, but will exclude any extras like low profile handles, battens or cut outs.
As our shutters are 100% made to measure and most of the work is done at the survey stage, payment in full is required when you place your order.
Measuring Shutters
Before we come out to see you we like to give you an estimate so you can check your budget. This just means that we don’t waste your time with a long appointment as a full survey can take a few hours.
Our normal working hours are 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. However, we know that not everyone can make a weekday appointment work with their schedule, so we can arrange surveys outside of these hours by special request. Please give us a call to discuss any out of hours requirements.
Fitting Shutters
From order to fitting is approximately 12 weeks. Like the majority of other shutter companies, our shutters are manufactured in China and arrive by sea freight.
Yes, all of our shutter packaging is taken away and professionally recycled.
Absolutely! In fact, we’ve often been told that we leave the rooms looking tidier than when we arrived. Just check out some of our testimonials from real, happy customers – they often mention how clean and tidy we are.
When measuring and fitting, we’ll wear show covers where required, use clean dust sheets, replace furniture that is moved, hoover all round and do our best to respect your home.
Shutters will transform your home and we want to make sure we provide you with the ‘Wow’ factor!
Questions About Chelmsford Shutters
We have been in supply shutters since 1999 – that’s over 20 years of expertise in all things shutters!
Yes, we really are! Rob runs Chelmsford Shutters and does all the measuring. Then, when it comes to fitting your shutters, he’ll come back to your home with his Son Cameron.
We don’t have a showroom so we bring large shutter samples out to your home as part of the survey and measuring service. This means we can put the shutter sample up in situ at your window so give you the best idea of how they will look in the room.
We’ve been on TV many times fitting shutters, including:
- 60 Minute Makeover
- DIY SOS
- Help! My Home Is Falling Down
- Don’t Get Done, Get Dom
- Kirstie’s Homemade Home