Let’s face it, shutters aren’t cheap. And for good reasons - they are an investment for your property, hand made and individually crafted for each window, which means they take a lot of time and effort to produce. That being said, there are ways you can cut the cost down. Here is a checklist for ways you can be saving money when buying quality hardwood shutters.

A Checklist for Saving Money When Buying Shutters:
1. Consider Cafe Shutters
Cafe shutters, also known as half-height shutters, are shutters that only go halfway up the window as apposed to full height or tier-on-tier. Shutter costs are generally priced on the dimensions on the build, which means by buying cafe shutters, you can still get the privacy and shade that a shutter provides, while bringing the cost down significantly. This is one way to save significantly when buying shutters.
One thing to consider with this option is the need to then provide a window treatment for the top half of the window, which may end up costing more. You also need to consider the insulation benefits that will be lost if the shutter isn't covering the whole window.
2. Choose Affordable Materials
Not all shutters are made from the same materials. They generally come in hardwood, softwood, PVC, and MDF. The most expensive shutters are made from PVC, a compound material that is waterproof, as well as hardwoods such as cedar. If you are looking to buy affordably and sustainably, consider ordering a hardwood such as Paulownia, which is a high quality wood, but without the hefty price tag, and is much more eco-friendly. Be wary of companies selling MDF and composite shutters at a similar price to Paulownia. These are very low quality products that warp and sag easily, often hidden under names like 'woodlore'. Often even in more expensive products, they will produce the shutters with Paulownia wood, then use MDF for the frames.
3. Choose Your Tilt Rods
The tilt rod is the mechanism the opens and closes the shutter. Traditionally, it would be a wooden shaft that runs down the centre of the shutter. These days, there are ways to craft the panels so that the tilt rod is hidden inside the frame, taking away the need for the shaft running down the middle of the panel. If you are ordering shutters, be aware that having a hidden tilt rod will generally cost you an extra 10% - 20% increase in price. At DOMA we don't charge any extra fee for having hidden tilts, as we believe it will add to the longevity of the product.

4. Prep The Windows
Often when an installer comes to site, there are old shutters or curtains that need to be removed or thrown away. Ask the shutter company if they remove these for free, and if they don’t, you can save an extra bill by getting rid of old furnishings yourself.
5. Get Different Quotes
It sounds obvious, but comparing companies could save you a considerable amount of money. Most companies will do a site survey for free, so there’s no harm in getting quotes from a few different companies in your area. Ask them lots of questions, compare the different prices, and ask if they will match a competitor’s price. Also look for items added onto the quote that aren’t needed. Some companies will include battens or strips that you may not want, or unnecessary extras. If you are in New Zealand, make sure you talk to us at DOMA, as we are confident we can beat any competitor on price and quality, or if you are further afield, we can help you with any questions you may have.
Really helpful tips, thanks. I think cafe shutters are going to be the way to for me after reading this