{"id":29907,"date":"2026-08-29T15:17:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T14:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=29907"},"modified":"2026-08-29T15:17:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T14:17:28","slug":"time-to-shut-up-should-new-builds-come-with-shutters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=29907","title":{"rendered":"Time to Shut Up: Should New-Builds come with Shutters?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Time to Shut Up: Should UK New-Builds include Shutters?<\/strong><\/p>\n

With record-breaking\u00a0temperatures in the UK, and next year predicted to be even hotter courtesy of El Nino, is it time for UK housing developments to include shutters as a compulsory part of their design?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Under its sustainability regulations, the Future Homes Standards (FHS) makes low-carbon heating systems, enhanced insulation, better air tightness, advanced windows, and solar panels all mandatory, along with EV charging infrastructure.\u00a0 So why not add shutters as a practical solution to ventilation in hot weather?<\/p>\n

Shutters are a practical addition to a property.\u00a0 In times of heat, they allow air to circulate while maintaining security.\u00a0 They can also be very decorative.<\/p>\n

What are shutters?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shutters can take several forms.\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Internally, shutters in period houses are traditionally made of wood and run the full height and width of each window, folding on hinges or concertina-like into recesses in window embrasures.\u00a0 There, they blend in with the pannelling, whether polished or painted.\u00a0 They can be opened out to meet in the middle of the window, with a latch for security, or can be left partly open to allow some light and \/ or air into the room.<\/p>\n

Externally, shutters would fulfil the same function, either folding on hinges to cover the entire window or sliding across it on tracks, as in the image.\u00a0 Traditionally made of wood, the shutters could be solid panels or constructed with angled slats or \u2018louvres\u2019.<\/p>\n

Contemporary shutters, whether internal or external, may be made of a variety of materials and can cover all or part of a window.\u00a0 Internally, a system of rods or pulleys adjusts the angle of any louvres to control air flow and light ingress.<\/p>\n

Electronic controls may also be installed now to adjust these, indoors and out, and shutters can be customised to suit budget and style.<\/p>\n

Construction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Historically, shutters were made of wood, painted or plain.\u00a0 The outer frame could either be filled in with solid wooden panels, decoratively fielded, or solid wooden slats, polished or painted.\u00a0 Alternatively, the frame could be filled with horizontal louvered slats (as above).<\/p>\n

Today, shutters can be made of numerous other materials depending on function, location and style of property.<\/p>\n