How Wood Shutters Protect Your Carpeting, Furniture and Draperies
Because wood shutters are natural insulators they can be used to lower your energy costs by keeping the elements out. That was their original purpos...
Because wood shutters are natural insulators they can be used to lower your energy costs by keeping the elements out. That was their original purpose and why you almost never see a historic house that does not have shutters. Shutters are not just decorative any more than ceiling fans are only decorative. Many now use ceiling fans to reduce the costs of heating and cooling their homes and shutters are even more effective.
Shutters and ceiling fans became less essential because of the introduction of heating and air conditioning. Just as ceiling fans made a comeback to save energy, it would be wise to start using shutters again to save money by moderating temperatures in our homes.
Stand near a window when the sun is shining on it and touch it with your hand. No matter how cold it is outside that window will be extremely warm. On cold days and especially when the wind is blowing directly on your windows, the area near them will be colder than other areas.
During the summer you can close the shutters on the window the sun shines on directly. In the summer, keep the shutters closed on the window where the north wind blows strongest. You can adjust your shutters quickly seasonally, daily, or when a storm is predicted.
Shutters also protect your furniture, draperies, carpeting and flooring from sunlight damage caused by UV light. Did you know that three quarters of the materials commonly used in carpet (olefin, wood and nylon) have poor resistance to sunlight? Even polyester, which has good sunlight resistance, can be damaged.
Constant exposure to sun rays is destructive to draperies, damaging the fabrics. Especially affected are bright and dark colors which will fade and streak. Eventually the sun damage will cause your drapes to dry rot. While acrylic and polyester are less affected, cotton, rayon and acetate need the most protection from sunlight.
While fabrics used in furniture upholstery are affected similarly to draperies, other types of furniture are also damaged by the sun. Especially susceptible is leather furniture. Even wood is damaged by the drying affect of sunlight. Position furniture away from direct sunlight when possible or close your shutters to shield it from the sun.
By reducing your heating and cooling costs and protecting the investments you have made in furniture, flooring, carpeting and draperies, shutters are extremely beneficial. The next step is to decide what shutter styles you prefer and where to buy them. The lowest prices and best quality come from buying direct from the manufacturer – but they can be a real challenge to locate. Visit our Pricing Exterior Shutters Hubpage to see a photo slideshow of types of shutters and find manufacturers who sell directly to the public.
Save money and buy better quality by buying directly from the manufacturer. Manufacturing plants can be challenging to find so go to Frank Wright’s Hubpage for more details and where to buy . Don’t miss the beautiful photograph slideshow there.