How To Tell When You Need To Update Your Shutters

Lawrence Kim

Shutters are common fixtures in millions of Australian households and buildings across the country, as many people enjoy the breeze that shutters allow through while also making use of the shade they provide. Shutters have been around for many decades now, and over the course of that time, modern manufacturing has got a lot better, which means that upgrading from your older models makes more sense than ever. Here are a few ways that you can determine whether or not it is time to upgrade your shutters for some better looking and longer-lasting modern alternatives.

Sagging

Not every type of shutter will sag, but those that can swing in and out of the frame of your window certainly will. As shutters get older they can begin to sag as the connections from the frame to to the blinds in the shutter get weaker and weaker. There can be any number of factors behind this from damaged hinges to the wooden shutters expanding due to moisture absorption over time. Whatever the cause, sagging shutters do not look good, and they can be quite annoying to try and fit back in place and can even scratch up your window sill if you are not careful.

Cracking

In the past, almost all shutters were made out of wood and had some form of chemical treatment applied to them to extend their lifespan. However, these chemical forcefields were not as good as they are today where they can provide continuous protection for decades. In harsh conditions, most shutters will begin to display signs of cracking when they reach their use-by date. Constantly getting wet and then having the moisture evaporate is not good for wood in the long run, especially not for structural timber used in shutters.

Stiffness

Just like sagging can be caused by the wood expanding due to an increased amount of moisture, it can also cause the individual blinds to warp out of position. If you find that when you try to open or close them or adjust them in any way they give you quite a bit more resistance than they used too, then it is probably time to upgrade to newer varieties. Modern shutters are built to be operated with no more than a single finger as all the joints and connections are buttery smooth. Don't put up with this problem that will only get worse as more time goes by. 


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