As energy costs continue to riser, homeowners are increasingly seeking ways to make their home more energy efficient. Whether it’s investing in better insulation, upgrading windows, or adopting smart thermostats, everyone is looking for solutions to reduce heat loss and keep their homes warm during the colder months without a spike in energy bills.
A commonly overlooked but highly effective option is the installation of shutters. This raises the question: do shutters keep heat in? They have long been known for their aesthetic appeal and ability to control light, but they offer more than just style and function. Shutters can play a significant role in helping maintain a comfortable temperature within your home. Let’s take a closer look at how shutters can work as insulation, their specific benefits for heat retention, and why they could be the right choice for your home.
How Shutters Work as Insulation
Shutters are not just a decorative addition to your home, they also serve as a functional asset helping to regulate temperature and keep the heat in. The key to their effectiveness lies in their design and material. Other window treatments such as curtains and blinds still allow drafts and cold air to seep in, whether as shutters are built to fit snuggly against the window frame – creating a physical barrier between the outside elements and the warmth inside your home.
Curtains
While curtains do block drafts to an extent, even the heaviest fabrics can end up moving – leading to gaps which reduce their effectiveness.
Blinds
Even when closed, blinds typically have a bit of a gap between the slats providing airflow.
Shutters
When closed, shutters provide excellent reliability for blocking drafts as they are fitted snugly into the window frame.
Shutters are not just a decorative addition to your home, they also serve as a functional asset helping to regulate temperature and keep the heat in. The key to their effectiveness lies in their design and material. Other window treatments such as curtains and blinds still allow drafts and cold air to seep in, whether as shutters are built to fit snuggly against the window frame – creating a physical barrier between the outside elements and the warmth inside your home.
Materials & Insulative Properties
The material of your shutters will play a vital role in their effectiveness for heat loss. Solid wood shutters for example, are naturally excellent insulators. The thickness of the wood helps to slow down the transfer of heat, making it more difficult for warmth to escape through your windows. In a similar way, composite shutters are made from engineered materials that also provide excellent insulation – and are often more suitable for specific conditions such as humid environments.
Let us help you find the right shutters
With over 35 years of experience, we are well-equipped to ensure we find the right shutters for you and your circumstances. Our stress-free approach ensures we understand your needs to find a tailored option that works for you and your home.
The beauty of shutters is that they provide excellent control over how much insulation you want at any given time. Louvres can be fully closed to maximise heat retention, or adjusted to allow some air circulation depending on your needs.
We pride ourselves on offering only premium-quality shutters from S:CRAFT – renowned for their craftmanship and durability, they will enhance your home’s style while providing exceptional insulation and long-lasting performance. Let’s break down the various materials available and what they’re suitable for.
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Antigua (MDF)
Made entirely from MDF, making them one of the most affordable options in the S:CRAFT range. While MDF is less insulative than hardwood, it still provides a solid barrier to block cold drafts from entering the room. -
Bermuda (MDF with ABS Louvres)
Striking a balance between strength and cost-efficiency, the MDF frames offer decent insulation while the lightweight louvres are easy to adjust. They are a versatile option for various rooms in your home. -
Cuba (MDF with Hardwood Frames)
The panels are made from medium density fibreboard (MDF) with frames made from robust hardwood. This combination offers a balance of cost-effectiveness and durability, with the hardwood frames providing excellent strength and insulation. -
Fiji (Solid Hardwood)
This range offers the best insulation available because they are constructed from high-quality hardwood. The natural density of the wood slows down the transfer of heat, making this range perfect for large windows or homes in colder climates. -
Java (Waterproof ABS)
Crafted from quality ABS for a waterproof and durable solution. Although they are lightweight, they provide solid insulation, making them a great choice for rooms with high humidity like kitchens and bathrooms. -
Portchester (Aluminium)
These shutters provide excellent security thanks to a patented locking mechanism, while also acting as a thermal barrier helping to minimise heat loss. They are ideal for ground floor spaces where security and insulation are priorities, without having to compromise on aesthetics.
Heat Retention & Other Benefits
One of the primary benefits of shutters is their ability to maintain a consistent room temperature. During the day when the sun is shining, you can leave your shutters open to let the natural warmth from the sun into your home. As the sun sets and the temperature drops, closing the shutters help to lock in that warmth – keeping your home cosy throughout the night without requiring extra heating. Even with modern double-glazed windows, this can become a primary source of heat loss. Shutters provide an extra layer of defence, keeping the warmth in and the cold out, meaning your central heating doesn’t have to work as hard.
But it’s not just heat retention that shutters excel in – they also come with a host of other benefits that make them a valuable addition to any home.
The lower this value, the more energy efficient an object is. With the installation of an internal blind, the value will be reduced to 2.1, leading to an overall improvement of around 30%. However, if internal window shutters are used, the U-value shrinks further to 1.9, leading to an even greater saving of heat in the home.
Source: s-craft.co.uk
Noise Reduction
Shutters provide an additional layer of soundproofing, helping to block unwanted noise from outside such as neighbours and traffic. This adds to the overal comfort of your home, making it a quieter and more peaceful place to live.
Privacy & Light Control
Unlike curtains or blinds which either block out all light or let it in fully, shutters allow for a more nuanced control. By adjusting the louvres you can can choose to let in a small amount of light or block it out entirely, depending on your needs.
Low Maintenance
Once installed they require very little upkeep compared to fabric curtains or blinds, which may need to be cleaned or replaced more frequently. Shutters are easy to clean and can last for years, adding long-term value to your home.
Conclusion
To conclude, shutters are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce heat loss. Their solid structure and insulative properties make them a superior option compare to traditional window treatments like curtains or blinds.
For homeowners seeking a stylish, practical and energy-efficient solution – shutters from Goddens are the ideal choice. Not only will they help keep your home warm and comfortable, they will also add a timeless elegance to your interiors while increasing the curb appeal of your property. You can book a consultation with me, or pop into our showroom to further discuss your needs.
