We have been seraching high and low for a supplier of retractable fly screens and the great news is we’ve found one right here in Melbourne.

Retractable Fly Screens can be fitted to most windows and doors and come in a large range of colour options.

We can also custom colour match if your preferred colour isn’t part of the extensive standard colour range.

Retractable Fly Screen Doors

Depending on the type of door you have will determine the cassette option available to you.

• Horizontal Single Cassette System
• Horizontal Single Cassette System with “Smooth System”
• Horizontal Double Cassette Option
• Vertical Single Cassette Option

Retractable Fly Screen Windows

• Vertical Single Cassette Option

Visit our website now to view further details on retractable fly screens which also includes a gallery.

View the Blockout Blinds Retractable Fly Screens

If you’re after a versatile and stylish product it’s hard to go past Plantation Shutters.

They will enhance the look of your home, can be fitted to almost any window and the views from both inside and outside look great.

While most people love the look and ease of use of plantation shutters, many are quite surprised when they find out the price of having plantation shutters installed in their home.

Price Range of Plantation Shutters in Melbourne

While prices will vary from different blinds companies, for a solid timber shutter (basswood, poplar or cedar) a window sized 1800mm x 1800mm is likely to cost anywhere between $1150 to $2400.

If you are paying less than $1,150 you might well be advised to approach the sale with some caution.

The first thing you should check is what type of material is being used. It is likely for pricing below $1,150 the product your are buying may be MDF, PVC or some other composite (sometimes the sales people are not even aware they are not selling a timber product!)

A good indication of the quality of the materials, is the warranty on offer.

Plantation shutters should last a life time, so if anything less than a 10 year warranty is being offered, you should be asking some questions.

I mean, how would you feel if you spent money on plantation shutters then had to replace them after 4-6 years, or less!

So as you can see, buying cheaper can be a false economy.

On the other side of the price scale, paying more than $2,400 would really be excessive and overpriced for no gain in the quality of the product.

Price or cost variation factors can be:

1. Type of timber being used (cedar is most expensive).
2. No of panels selected for each window.
3. Type of frames used on the plantation shutter.
4. The condition of your window arches and how square your windows are.   Additional fitting costs and extra timber may be required to get the perfect installed fit.
5. The quantity of shutters you are buying.  You may be offered a better price for your plantation shutters if you are buying a larger quantity.
6. The experience of the installer.  Any good installer is paid appropriately as installing shutters is a job that takes many years to perfect.  A lot of companies cut their costs by using the cheap labour of inexperienced installers that can leave your plantation shutters hanging in a less than desirable fashion, haunting you every time you walk past them.
7. Any unusual shapes such as triangular and round windows.
8. Having your shutters painted in a custom colour to exactly match your own paint sample.
9. Type of finishes:
   1. Painted matt finish
   2. Painted with a gloss finish
   3. Natural timber stained finish.

So while plantation shutters initially appear to be one of the more expensive products to install on your windows, there are a few reasons why over time they are great value.

Quality Plantation Shutters – A Good Investment

1. Plantation shutters will last a life time, so you will never have to replace them.
2. Solid timber plantation shutters are amazing insulators that will keep the heat out in summer and keep the heat in during winter, better than any other blind.
3. Plantation shutters are one of the few products that create that WOW factor when you walk into the room.  Because of this, real estate agents all agree that unlike blinds, plantation shutters actually add value to your home and increase the sale price.
4. After your plantation shutters are installed, you and your guests will be so impressed with the look and functionality of your plantation shutters that the price will soon be long forgotten.

So hopefully you are now armed with all the information you need to go out and make an informed decision on buying your new plantation shutters in Melbourne!

Common issues with cheaper inferior plantation shutters are warping louvers/slats, inconsistent paint finishes, shutters coming off hinges and shutters that have been installed incorrectly.

Unlike blinds, plantation shutters require a high degree of skill and experience to install correctly. Many companies use inexperienced installers to cut costs, however you may end up with an incorrectly or poorly installed plantation shutter that will haunt you long after the satisfaction of the “cheap” price has disappeared!

In these scenarios the most common mistake people make when looking for Plantation Shutters when they want a 100% solid timber shutter, is they go for the cheapest quote and somehow end up with a Timber Composite, which is basically a shutter with a thin outer layer of timber such as Basswood, but the inside is made up of another material (can be timber 2nds or MDF) glued together to make the frame and slats. So while it looks like solid timber from the outside, it is actually made of many materials.

A way to look out for inferior plantation shutter quotes is:

• Always get a few quotes and if you find one is considerably cheaper, you might want to ask the supplier why?
• Be sure to have them confirm that it is 100% solid timber, solid meaning 1 piece, not many pieces glued together!

FYI, start by checking their guarantee. Timber Composites have the potential to damage very early on and a short guarantee period is a dead giveaway.

We have had a few people calling us to find out more about Plastic Plantation Shutters also known as ABS or PVC. There is nothing really negative at all about this option, other than the fact that its finish is not as nice as the timber option s and it doesn’t come in as many colours and options. We as a company made the decision not to supply this option as our prices are very competitive and our timber alternatives are almost price matched to other companies’ prices for the Plastic version.

Then there is always a final cheaper option of Custom Craft or MDF Shutter, which is a manufactured wood with a vinyl wrap (a bit like a cheap kitchen bench). The disadvantages of this product are that if moisture penetrates the vinyl the wood swells, there is also a limited colour range and the shutters can only be made into 90 degree angles and small panel widths (nothing over 600mm, due to heavy weight and weak joints) limiting your shutter options. They are also extremely heavy which puts pressure on hinges causing problems later down the track.

Remember when you decide to buy plantation shutters it’s important to know what you are getting. Small things like knowing that the timber used is slowly kiln dried over 1 week to ensure all the moisture is taken out gradually (like we do), which prevents warping or twisting of the timber once it has been installed, is a vital piece of knowledge.

Be wary of companies offering cheap prices for basswood and other timbers– look out for composites.

We made a conscientious decision not to sell these last three products because of our high standards and excellent 5wayguarantee, which includes a 10 year product warranty on everything that we sell. For obvious reasons we won’t guarantee something that is not worth going to last the test of time.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of all the types of plantation shutters!

We’ve had so many calls regarding our Plantation Shutters this month that we thought it was time to answer a few ‘myths’ about the differences between the types of Shutters available out there.

There are plenty of different variations of Plantation Shutters out there, this is what we supply and why…

• Poplar Shutters
• Basswood Shutters
• Western Red Cedar Shutters

1. Poplar Plantation Shutters

By far our most popular is Poplar Plantation Shutters, a hard and durable wood that is not damaged easily and is also light in weight which makes it suitable for shaped windows or larger panel widths. They are also known for their low risk of warping due to their low resin count. They come in a wide range of desired colours, and can even be colour matched to your existing paint schemes.

With our current global issues its always encouraging to have a conscious thought for the environment, and Poplar Shutters are made from a fast growing renewable resource and are ‘Green’ grown in New Zealand.

2. Basswood Shutters

Basswood Shutters, another very popular choice is a durable hard wood that we generally use for stained finishes due to the consistent and natural grain of the timber. Red mahogany stains often turn out especially nice, being one of the more popular stains.

3. Western Red Cedar Shutters

Finally the Western Red Cedar is a light weight soft wood, and is a great choice for people with a particular desired look of the natural red cedar in mind. We do not suggest this option often as the soft wood dents quiet easily if knocked.

Summary

While most shutters can appear very similar in appearance on the outside, it is the materials used and the method of joining the timbers that can’t be seen that ultimately determines the quality and longevity of the product. All our shutters come with an unparalleled 10 year warranty and a lifetime installation warranty giving you the confidence that you are receiving the highest quality plantation shutter available. Our entire plantation shutter range is made from 100% solid timber using the mortise and tenon joint giving maximum strength to the frame.

Video Highlights:

00:16 – How roller blind chains end up getting broken
00:52 – How to get the blind off the bracket
01:39 – How to place the chain back
03:08 – How to slide the cap back on the tube
03:21 – How to put the blind back on the bracket

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Download the transcription:

Plantation shutters are more refined than regular shutters since they are built into a frame. They really bring together flexibility and style.

On the energy saving front, plantation shutters are great insulators. During the day though they let you bring the light in while at the same time maintaining privacy.

They can be made to suit windows of any size, even odd shaped windows.

For that reason, we will be regularly updating this blog with:

• Customer stories
• Before and after shots from our customers
• Design advice
• New trends and styles
• Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome your comments and questions.