Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Plantation Shutters Looking New

One of the reasons why plantation shutters are in such high demand is the fact that they are very beautiful, and have the potential to make any home look and feel special. However, if you want to make this effect last, you will need to care for the shutters in the right way. Simply leaving them in a neglected state will not only make them look shabby, but will make them wear out much faster than usual. Fortunately, the things that need to be done to avoid this are straightforward.

Reducing how much work is needed to maintain the shutters 

Of course, you might not want to spend every waking hour worrying about the state of the shutters. Buying high quality plantation shutters from reputable vendors is the best way to avoid this. By virtue of the fact that they are well made, these types of plantation shutters will require much less attention than usual, and this makes them easier to live with.

You also need to be careful about how you use them. For instance, plantation shutters should be operated with care to avoid damaging them. Avoid yanking them too violently when opening and closing them. This will prolong the lifespan and looks of the plantation shutters.

Sliding panels should always be moved slowly and with care. Particular attention is necessary when the panels are nearing the final locking/closed position. Be careful not to damage interlocking extrusions that help provide weather and privacy protection.

Bi-fold panels need to be handled very carefully. Never slide bi-fold shutters along their tracks in a closed book position. They should always be slid in their open book position until reaching their final location. Then the central lock can be disengaged to allow them to fold to a closed book setting. For ease of operation they are best held one third from the top. Be careful not to get fingers caught between moving parts. Never use excessive force to move panels or force locks to engage.
Always check the panels line up properly so the locks will engage correctly. An occasional light spray with a silicone lubricant on the tracks and operational lock parts will ensure longer life and easier operation. Lock holes etc need to be kept clear of debris at all times.

Hinged panels are supported by strong stainless steel hinges. Additional weight added to the panels however, may cause hinged sag. Never allow children to swing from them or hang heavy items on them. When locking or unlocking, apply slight pressure against the shutter with your other hand. The releases pressure on the lock bolts in their lock hole, and will allow easier operation with the key.

The cleaning process

Many times, plantation shutters lose their luster on account of not being properly cleaned. Proper cleaning tips that will prolong the lifespan of the shutters include:

Guardian Aluminium Smart Shutters has a very durable, quality controlled, powder coated finish. To maintain the quality finish and comply with the warranty requirements, a simple maintenance program is recommended. As a rule, cleaning is advised every 6 months. However in Coastal areas or Industrial regions, cleaning every 3 months is required.

1.   Carefully remove any loose deposits with a wet sponge.
2.   Use a soft brush or cloth, and a mild household detergent solution to remove dust, salt and other deposits. Do not use steel wool, scrapers, scouring liquids or powders to remove deposits as these permanently scratch the coating surface.
3.  Rinse off with clean fresh water.

Use the above cleaning method to remove any paint splashes, sealants or other residues. For surfaces that have had prolonged contact, methylated sprits or isoproponal may be used with caution. Dulux strongly recommends that a small area is tested prior to applying any of these “mild” solvents. Strong solvents may be harmful to the extended life of the powder coated surface which may not even be noticeable for twelve months.

•    Aluminium Shutters: 

When you have to repair the shutters…

From time to time, you will find yourself having to repair the shutters. For instance, if you have a pet such as a cat, it might hang on the shutters and cause the hinges to sag. In such cases, it is important that you handle the repair properly to avoid damaging the shutters further. Forcing them into position will only lead to breakage and other types of damage. If you can’t gently put the shutters back in place, don’t hesitate to call Guardian Screens & Shutters to come and fix it for you.

In summary, there isn’t much to do on the maintenance of plantation shutters. In fact, most people like them since they can maintain their original look without requiring much effort in terms of maintenance. As long as you do the above, you should see them lasting quite a while before requiring any replacement.