With energy prices skyrocketing, now is the perfect time to consider an eco-friendly home makeover to help reduce your household energy consumption. Lower electricity bills will be complemented by a lower carbon footprint and other positive environmental impacts. Increasing your home’s energy efficiency could also make it more attractive to potential buyers, if you plan to sell in the near future.
Investing in solar panels and roof insulation are obvious choices that can make a huge difference to your energy bills, and depending on where you live and the type of system you intend to install, you could qualify for government assistance.
Even small changes can make a real difference – switching your light globes to LEDs, turning off power points when not in use, and selecting energy efficient appliances, for instance. Installing appropriate window furnishings is another important strategy for increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
We all know that a well-insulated home can be a smart way to save energy – but did you know that up to 40 per cent of your home’s heating energy can be lost through the windows alone? Similarly, in summer, poorly insulated windows can allow too much of the sun’s heat inside and prompt increased use of air-conditioners to keep cool.
Block-out curtains offer fantastic insulating properties, as they help to trap hot or cold air next to the windows and prevent it from entering the main part of the room. Roman blinds, which are constructed of solid fabric, are another great choice for insulating windows and doors.
Whether you choose curtains or blinds to insulate your windows, it’s important to ensure they are snugly fitted without gaps that can allow trapped air to escape into the room. This will maximise their insulation benefits and help to reduce your household energy consumption. For help with this, contact us for a free measure and quote.
Sustainable and ethically produced materials are a perfect place to start when selecting your fabric-based window furnishings. Organic linen is a great option for nature-inspired décor that won’t cause an environmental hazard when it reaches the end of its useful life.
According to Sustainable Jungle, around 80 per cent of furniture and furnishing waste eventually ends up in landfills. Therefore, selecting materials that are durable and biodegradable will help to minimise both the volume and environmental impact of waste these products are likely to produce.
What better way to adorn the windows of your eco-friendly home than with the natural beauty of sustainable basswood timber? A plantation timber grown in cold alpine regions, basswood offers the strength and durability of premium hardwood, plus the fine texture needed to create a stunning, uniform finish.
Our Adagio timber shutters, crafted from sustainable basswood, are designed to meet the needs of the most discerning decorators. They come in a wide range of paint colours and natural stain finishes, and are backed by a generous five-year warranty.
Sustainable timber shutters infuse any space with the classic elegance and beauty of solid timber, while having the versatility to accommodate a range of window designs. Indeed, no other window furnishing is so adept at capturing the light and breezes while simultaneously providing privacy and security.
If venetian blinds are more your style, we also stock a range of sustainable basswood timber venetians, which can be customised to fit any space. Available in multiple blade widths and an extensive range of colours to match your décor, timber venetian blinds are a timelessly elegant addition to any room. They also come with a five-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Timber shutters and blinds both provide insulation against heat and noise when correctly fitted. Their light-blocking properties can also help to keep your interiors cool during the day in summer.
While you should certainly aim for value when buying new shutters or blinds, price is not the only consideration. Buying too cheap is often false economy that can result in a poor-quality product that needs replacement within a year or two. Such unnecessary wastage is bad for your hip pocket and terrible for the environment.
Look for product warranties as an indicator of quality, and when comparing prices, ensure you are comparing like for like. As your local window furnishing experts, we offer a huge range of high-quality fabrics and materials, and all our products are backed by generous warranties. We also guarantee the best prices all year round – if you find a lower price for a comparable product, we’ll beat it.
Ready to install new eco-friendly window furnishings that will last for years to come? Simply give us a call on 1300 077 125 or get in touch via our website for an obligation-free consultation.
Imagine you’re living on an exposed turquoise coastline in a sub-tropical climate going about your daily chores, when the wind whips up and an almighty tropical storm rolls in blowing wind and debris straight into your glass-less windows. This was the problem facing the ancient Greeks in about 800 B.C. and they decided to solve it with non-adjustable marble shutters. Glass was quite expensive and difficult to source, so it was rarely used until more modern times. This style of shutter worked well in this Mediterranean climate allowing light and air in, while keeping out the elements
Like the first shutters of Greece, early shutters were designed to shield the home from the 
elements and to control light and airflow more than for their aesthetic.
Craftsmen started making shutters from wood about 500 years ago with fixed louvers and hinged panels for opening and closing becoming popular designs throughout Europe. In these medieval times solid shutter panels were used for providing protection from the weather and security. Many European countries have used them since then to retain or reduce heat in their homes.
Window shutters were also in vogue in England during the medieval period. The Victorians were fond of boxed shutter style panels, which were solid and folded back into a box at each side of the window when not in use. The shaker style solid wooden shutter suits this style of window, and of course will provide insulating properties to reduce heat loss and noise pollution.
In Tudor times, shutters were changed to be made out of wood, making them much easier to open and close. Over the centuries, the style of window shutters has changed to become more decorative as glass became more accessible and popular from around the 18th century.
While still vastly different from the shutters we know today, Tudor style shutters were made from solid timber panels. These panels were secured to the inside wall and folded back to be flush with the internal wall when the window needed to be open. Once closed the wooden panels were secured with a mental bar of large piece of wood for security.
Wealthier families who could afford glass often had glass panels at the top of each window to allow light in without the shutter having to be opened. The bottom half of the window would still be a large wooden shutter. Today this style window furnishing is referred to as cafe style plantation shutters.
As England, Spain and France became more powerful and their influence spread across the globe, so too did window shutters with the Spanish first introducing plantation shutters to the southern states of America and beyond. Unsurprisingly, the lasting ‘plantation shutter’ name evolved as they were commonly found in the mansions on the cotton or sugar plantations.
The design changed once again to suit the climate of Southern America and the architectural style preferences of the cotton farmers. These shutters often had larger louvers, and were white, while the narrower louvered versions are said to be influenced by English colonisation and used in other parts of America. The term ‘plantation shutter’ has survived over the centuries and spanned the globe – many companies still use this description today.
Shutters rose in popularity and even became an important royal accessory when Ling Louis XIV of France insisted on their presence in his residence.
One urban legend claims that King Louis XIV had the revolutionary shutters installed so that he could watch the women of his court bathe, while the guards roaming the grounds would not become ‘distracted’. Another story claims that he had them installed so that the women could to nap comfortably without blocking air circulation and to allow the cooks to control the sunlight from heating up the kitchen.
Another tail claims that the original Peeping Tom was caught peeping through a plantation shutter at Lady Godiva, who rode naked through the streets as a protest, while the other townsfolk averted their eyes. (hmmm…??)
Plantation shutters are a timeless classic with an elegant design which has stood the test of time for both improving living conditions and aesthetic. Below are some of the many reasons plantation shutters are popular all over the world.
Plantation shutters are incredibly customisable, especially when they are made locally to your home’s specifications. You can get plantation shutters that are fixed, hinged or sliding style shutters, which are available in a range of colours to suit your home aesthetic.
All shutters are highly durable and resistant to Australia’s harsh weather, like sun exposure, humidity, thunderstorms, wind and rain. This makes them suitable for a broad range of outdoor and indoor uses.
Plantation shutters are one of the most energy efficient window coverings you can install, as they are designed to make your home cooler during summer and warmer during winter.
The luxurious and elegant style of Plantation Shutters can help improve your property’s curb appeal and help increase property value of your home.
The option of security shutters is an appealing option for homeowners who don’t want to compromise on security and curb appeal. They are also ideal for families with young children concerned about safety, as there are no cords or other dangly bits that could pose a risk to their safety.
The main advantages of shutters is that they maximise the best possible air flow in a room. This is especially beneficial in tropical and warm climates and one of the main reasons why they have historically been popular in hotter areas.
The wider slats allow plenty of room for air and light and before the electricity and climate control was invented people had to rely on built materials like shutters to keep their homes cool. This explains why those who live colder climates tend to prefer houses with narrower shutters and smaller windows.
Another important advantage and beautiful feature of plantation shutters is that they are often designed to be on hinges, which allows them to open fully and to fold. Today's shutters can be custom-made to fit any size or shape of window, making them a wonderful addition to any home.
Plantation shutters are stylish, functional, and protective from the elements. They can add value and a touch of timeless elegance to your home. Research your style preferences and take the time to find the right one for your needs.
Gold Coast interior design fashions have evolved dramatically since the 80s in terms of window treatments. Gone are the brightly coloured curtains with geometric shapes or pastel roses on a nicotine-stain background. And gone are the huge wooden curtain rings of the 70s and the vertical blinds we all obsessed over in the 90s. Today it’s all about embracing minimalism, using colour carefully, maximising natural light and clever layering.
While window treatments can really take a room to the next level, comfort is of utmost importance, especially during the Gold Coast’s sweltering Summers. Without shutters or blinds for your home or office, the heat gets in much more easily, making conditions pretty unbearable.
Shutters and blinds can make a huge improvement to the level of comfort and aesthetic of your home. But what’s the best fit for the Gold Coast home style? With the many different types of shutters available, it can be overwhelming to know which type is best for your home or property.
When it comes to styling your Gold Coast home or office space, there’s some wonderful and creative window design options you can play with, which may not be so appropriate in a city home. We break it all down for you below with our top tips on design style for the Gold Coast home and how shutters and blinds can help create the perfect coastal vibe.
The more natural light the better in a coastal home, so steer clear of heavy drapery and keep your window treatments as minimal as possible. Exposed windows with the ability to allow light through is recommended.
It’s all about keeping things light and bright in a coastal home, so designs using a neutral, soft colour palette work well, but you can also incorporate the colours of the sea in artwork and ornaments. When you walk into a coastal style home, the first thing you’ll usually notice is light walls and timber flooring. Same goes for your window treatments. Be mindful not to turn your bedroom into a bat cave.
To keep the beach vibes flowing, it’s best to include organic materials in your room design like jute, rattan, wicker, linen and timber. Keep this in mind when you choose what window style treatment you prefer. It could be the best opportunity to incorporate some natural materials into your home.
Coastal styling centres around reflecting the beautiful beach landscape into your home. How could you incorporate sun, surf and sea elements in your design planning? Surf imagery, sea themed ornaments and vases are all potential options. Be sure to keep it understated as this styling should compliment your home, not dominate it.
Layering curtains over blinds or shades for privacy is an on-trend design for the coastal home, allowing plenty of natural light flow during the day or privacy when it’s needed. There are many types of blinds and shades to choose from such as roman blinds, roller blinds, and venetian blinds.
TIP: Organic, natural materials are on trend for 2021 and perfect for a coastal home. Try hanging woven wood blinds in rattan or bamboo to create a textured, casual look.
If you don’t want to add a liner to block light entirely and is visible outside, installing curtains over your blinds or shades adds softness and privacy – a perfect layered look for the coastal home.
Whether it’s a chic resort feeling you would like to create or a relaxed beachside balmy feel,
shutters can add a stunning level of sophistication, luxury and charm to your home.
Plantation shutters are also highly effective at insulating windows and glassed areas and reduce air conditioning cost significantly by preventing cool air from escaping.
Timber shutters are one option which adds an element of elegance and natural finish to your home. Timber shutters are an excellent option to add a natural feeling to a Gold Coast home as well as plenty of airflow, enhanced light quality, privacy and security.
Our range of hand-crafted Adagio Timber Shutters offer all these attributes and are made from hard-wearing premium and sustainable-grade Basswood timber found in slow-growing, cold and high alpine regions.
Our timber shutters have been designed to suit home decorators who want the classic elegance of solid timber to add natural beauty to their home or work environment. Perfect for the balmy Gold Coast home or office, our shutters come with a 25-year warranty in wide range of natural stain or paint finishes, with a choice of blade widths to suit your style preferences.
Perfect for the coastal climate, polyresin shutters are unaffected by moisture and humidity. Polyresin shutters provide excellent control for privacy, security and light with beautiful internal window options.
Our Alto Polyresin Shutters range allows ample breeze flow while also enhancing the quality of light, privacy and security for the typical balmy, Gold Coast home. This type of shutter has the unique ability to provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation too. And because of the strength of their design, they have inbuilt impact resistance.
Our shutters can be imported or Australian made with a 15-year product and component warranty. They also have a 25-year structural warranty, five year paint warranty and a 3 year hardware warranty.
Although trends have moved on since the in-your-face 80s, there’s still plenty you can do with your window treatments and interior design to create a vibrant, engaging and welcoming coastal home.
To find out more about how our range of shutters and blinds can make your lifestyle more comfortable and protect your home including furnishings, contact us on 1300 077 125. We bring our mobile showroom to you, plus decades of experience.
We break it all down for you with plenty of samples and colour options, so you can feel assured that your choices will suit your needs and enhance your coastal home perfectly.
What’s best for your home or office, shutters or blinds? With so many options available, it can be tough choosing the right solution for your space. It’s important to make the right choice too because shutters or blinds are a major investment and not something you’re likely want to replace too quickly. The choice between shutters or blinds typically comes down to budget, your preferred style, window shape and lighting and privacy requirements.
We have a broad range of options to choose from and our experienced team can advise on the best options for your home or office areas. As well as interior window shutters like plantation shutters, we offer several styles of blinds such as venetian blinds, vertical blinds, roman blinds and roller blinds. Sometimes the best solution for your home or office can be a combination of both shutters and blinds. Book an in-home consultation with us to learn more; we bring our showroom to you.
What budget do I have?
How long do I want the shutters or blinds to last?
Which room is the window or door in?
What type of window is it?
How often will the shutters or blinds be used?
What design style am I trying to achieve?
If you have a standard shaped window blinds offer a softer look than shutters. In general (but not always) interior shutters will be more expensive than blinds because of the material they are made from and because a tailor-made product will be more expensive than an off the shelf one. If you have a uniquely shaped window, however, shutters are a great option as they frame rather than hide the window. They also allow a greater degree of privacy than blinds.
Particularly in city locations or where properties are close together, privacy is one of the key factors with determining whether a shutter or blind is best. If you have a street facing window or door, shutters could be the best option as they provide permanent privacy while allowing light and breeze through if desired. However, if you are not overlooked, and the windows are not at street level for example, then blinds could be a suitable window covering for you; there is also the advantage that you can have full light when the blinds are up.
The fabrics of some blinds can become damaged from UV rays or too much moisture and in the Queensland climate, those considerations really matter. If a window or door is in a particularly damp or heavily sun-drenched area, you may need to consider a PVC or a weather-proof shutter.
Plantation shutters are a perfect way to update and improve the aesthetics of your home, both from an outside perspective and from within. They offer a wonderful level of kerb appeal.
Shutters are certainly a major investment and a purchase which requires solid deliberation. they are timeless in their design and finish which means they will go the distance and remain an appealing asset for years to come if you are looking to sell on your home in the future.
One is not better than the other but offer different strengths and weaknesses. The choice is a personal one based on your style and privacy preferences and layout, aspect and design of your home or office. Shutters tend to give more control on the light entering the room than blinds and offer more flexibility. Blinds can be a good solution for standard sized windows with a lower cost but may not last as long as shutters.
Yes. Shutters cost more than blinds, and wooden shutters are more expensive than PVC shutters. Shutters are also a more durable product than blinds. With the right care, they can last indefinitely.
Shutters can block the light much better than blinds because they are mounted on a frame fitted into your window frame. However, they do not completely block out the light. A combination of shutters with integrated blackout blinds can fully darken a space.
Prices vary depending on type and size. It’s a great idea to watch out for promotions and sales. Book an in-home consultation with us for a quote and learn more.
The choice to install shutters or binds ultimately comes down to personal preference, budget and space needs and there is no right or wrong direction to go – you can even have a mix of the two at your home, creating a beautiful design aesthetic.
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing your products is ensuring a high-quality product which is installed by an experienced trades person. This is something we guarantee at Factory Direct Shutters, Awnings and Blinds.
Book an in-home consultation with us for our team to bring the showroom to you and learn more. We can then measure and provide a quote to suit your specifications.
Choosing furnishings or making changes to our home or office environment can be a daunting activity, with so many options, styles, colour treatments, materials and of course agreement needed among the occupants. The choices made are often ultra-important too because the investment is often significant, and you could be stuck with it for decades. When it comes to indoor blinds, there are a massive range of options to choose from, but don’t feel overwhelmed, each have their own characteristics and benefits making it easier to work out what will suit your home décor and style best.
Our experienced team of professional home stylists can also provide a huge amount of support by bringing the showroom to you with loads of colour and indoor blind options. We also provide a swatch system on our website so you can look at colour schemes and lighting treatments from home!
Designed and made-to-measure to meet your style preferences as well as your home and office measurements, our custom-made blinds come with a 5-year product warranty.
The versatility of our indoor blind range continues through to the array of colours, fabrics and materials you have to choose from. At Factory Direct Awnings and Blinds, our range of indoor blinds offer both the highest quality and the most affordable prices.
Factory Direct has a huge range of indoor blinds covered across many styles to suit the sub-tropical conditions of Queensland. Whether its light, sun, heat, airflow, weather control or and privacy elements that affect your home, all of them can be mitigated with the right indoor blind for your needs.
With so many blinds and styling options to choose from, read on to learn more about how we can help you identify the ideal ones for your doors and windows from our growing indoor blinds product range.
While being incredibly simple and practical in their function, these easy-to-use blinds provide plenty of elegance and style for a range of uses as well. Roller blinds offer a modern and highly functional solution to providing privacy, keeping out light and insulating a room.
Our roller blinds are available in a huge range of plain or patterned fabric options to make the right statement with your décor. We also provide three different opacity levels to achieve the right level of privacy and climate protection for your home or office environment.
All of our roller blinds come standard with a discreet light-weight chain operation or can be fully automated, offering you an added touch of luxury and ease of use.
Panel glide blinds are an excellent choice for large windows. Their contemporary versatility make them an excellent and easy-to-operate choice for privacy and light control.
Panel glide blinds offer a chic and easy-to-operate option for light control and privacy. Designed for larger windows or sliding doors, these custom-made blinds add a modern edge, functionality and versatility to any room. They ca even be used to create a room divide and overlap slightly to be configured to open and close in any direction.
Panel glide blinds come in a vast range of fabrics and colours to suit your own style and décor. They are also available in block-out, privacy and sunscreen opacity to give your room the perfect ambience and protection.
It’s easy to see why Venetian Blinds have long been a favoured indoor blind for many households and office space. They provide a lovely sleek look, are great for controlling glare and airflow, and also offer excellent value for money.
Venetian Blinds provide a feeling of elegance and make a timeless and stylish addition to any room, while also being incredibly practical to use. Venetian Blinds are an affordable way to solve your privacy issues or improve the temperature of a space. Whether you need to shield your interiors from our harsh Queensland sun or control the airflow around your home or office, Venetian blinds are one of the best window furnishing solutions to do this.
Venetian blinds are super functional and a clever and affordable choice to enhance your home or office. Choose from our Basswood timber blinds, Polyresin blinds or our ever-popular aluminium Venetian blinds, they all come with a five-year warranty.
Vertical blinds are both classic and practical, and an ideal option for doorways and large windows. Verticals are a perfect option for doorways and large windows as you can control the amount of light you allow into your space, making them ideal as bock-out vertical blinds or sliding door blinds. You can tilt the blades sideways to completely block out the sun and view, or partially to your liking.
The sideways stacking of your Block-out Vertical Blinds make them a perfect choice for high-traffic situations such as sliding or patio doors, where other blinds may not be suitable. Similarly, they add a feeling of spaciousness and height that many other blinds do not.
Functional, stylish and practical, our Vertical Blinds are custom-made from a range of attractive colours and textures to suit any home or office.
Roman Blinds elegantly unfold inwards creating a flowing effect which is striking in its ability to softly transform a room. Roman blinds definitely add a subtle touch of class with a timeless, classic design and form a luxurious frame for your window and door when stacked.
Roman Blinds are easy to maintain and can provide wonderful insulation for your doors and windows. These fully customisable classic blinds have the advantage of being fully customisable in a range of colours and fabrics to suit your style and type of home or office and work equally well in traditional interiors as they do in contemporary spaces. They also come with a five-year warranty.
Balcony blinds are commonly used outside, however they can also be used inside to create a new space in your home or office, or to add new life to an existing area.
Our extensive range of balcony blinds is available in a variety of fabrics, from clear PVC blinds to acrylic canvas and sunscreen PVC for outdoors.
Contact us now for a free measure and quote, or free advice on the right indoor blind for your space. Our experts can bring our mobile show
Living in Brisbane the sun can be relentless, especially during our hot and humid summers. Not only does it cause furnishings and carpeting to fade and deteriorate, but without appropriate shutters or blinds for your windows and doors, the heat penetrates your home more easily, making conditions pretty unbearable. Shutters can make a huge improvement to the level of comfort and aesthetic of your home. But which one is the right one to pick? With the many different types of shutters available, it can be overwhelming to know which type is best for your home or property. We break it all down for you below with our top tips for what shutters are best for Brisbane conditions.
Our Alto Polyresin Shutters range allows ample breeze flow while also enhancing the quality of light, privacy and security for the typical balmy, Brisbane home.
Polyresin shutters provide Control for privacy, security and light with stylish internal window shutters. Perfect for the Brisbane climate, they’re also unaffected by moisture and humidity. Our shutters can be imported or Australian made with a 15 year product and component warranty and come with a 25-year structural warranty, five year paint warranty and a 3 year hardware warranty.
This type of shutter also has the unique ability to provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. And because of the strength of their design, they have inbuilt impact resistance.
Just like polyresin shutters, timber shutters allow plenty of airflow and also enhance light quality, privacy and security for the optimal Brisbane lifestyle.
Timber shutters tend to add an element of elegance, charm and luxury to your door and window finishes too. Our range of hand-crafted Adagio Timber Shutters offer all these attributes and are made from hard-wearing premium and sustainable-grade Basswood timber found in slow-growing, cold and high alpine regions.
Our timber shutters have been designed to suit discerning decorators who want the classic elegance of solid timber to add natural beauty to their home or work environment. Perfect for the relaxed Brisbane home or office, our luxury shutters come with a wide range of natural stain or paint finishes, and a choice of blade widths to suit your décor and 25-year warranty.
Along with the benefits of other shutter types, which enhance the breeze and light quality, this type of shutter brings a clear and clean line to any Brisbane Home’s décor when used internally.
These cyclone-rated, water-resistant plantation shutters offer awesome durability and robustness while providing that stunning traditional plantation shutter look at an affordable price.
Perfect for the Brisbane climate and design style, our Vivace Internal Aluminium Shutters are lockable and come in a range of matt-finish colours. You can also add insect screens to further enhance the functionality of your shutters for the Queensland climate and keep the mozzies outside!
Brisbane is renowned for its impressive storm season. Feeling anxious about a huge storm rolling in at home? No worries. All our aluminium shutters are wind tested and certified to withstand a wind velocity equivalent to a category 4 cyclone, a pressure load of up to 3,630!
Ideal for Brisbane homes all year round, our Forte External Aluminium Shutters are made from the highest qulity finishes. Our plantation shutters are modern and add design finesse well suited to a wide range of installation areas and functions, including patios, verandas, alfresco dining areas, high-rise balconies and many more.
We custom design and fabricate our aluminium shutters based on their specific location and application with strengthened construction suitable for cyclonic areas.
While the sun and weather conditions in Brisbane can be unforgiving at times, investing in high quality shutters can make a huge difference to your quality of life and enhance the appearance of your home or office.
To find out more about how our range of shutters can make your lifestyle more comfortable and protect your home including furnishings, carpets and windows, contact us on 1300 077 125. We bring our mobile showroom to you, plus loads of experience.
We break it all down for you with plenty of samples and colour options, so you can feel assured that your choices will suit your needs and be suitable for Brisbane conditions.
