ask the experts
http://www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019 69
FeatureAlice ButlerQ
With the days becoming brighter and hotter, what is the best way to shade the
sun from my living room without stopping cool air from circulating?
Brigit Davies, via emailA
Mark Carter,
Director of
Shutterly Fabulous,
has this advice...
Plantation shutters
are incredibly versatile
as they seamlessly
improve the look of a room and
offer many practical benefits.
Thanks to their open louvred slats,
they control air circulation without
blocking out natural light. They
also give you the freedom to open
your windows wide on a warm day,
keeping your room well ventilated
and allowing you to retain privacy
and safety for children and pets.
Plantation shutters offer you
full control as each slat can be
individually adjusted up or down, deterring the harsh sunlight that can
discolour furniture and carpets. This also means that you can let in small
doses of natural light to open up the room on a gloomy day. Maintaining
a level of privacy is always more challenging throughout the summer
when we open curtains, windows and blinds wide, leaving the inside of
the home exposed. Installing plantation shutters eliminates this issue
as they keep the interior cool and discreetly shielded from the outside.
Conversely, during the colder months you can tilt the slats to embrace the
warmer winter sun, keeping your home toasty and helping you to save on
energy bills! To see our range, visit http://www.shutterlyfabulous.com.Q
We’re planning to convert our loft into a
bedroom for one of our children but how
can we make sure the space is comfortable for
sleeping as well as homework?
Alicia Ambrose, via email
A
Vanessa Howard, CMO
of Roof Maker, answers...
A key thing to consider when
planning to convert a loft
into an extra bedroom is the
installation of rooflights.
Attics are naturally dark
rooms but the inclusion of a rooflight or
two will draw in plenty of natural light,
making the space warm and inviting.
The Luxlite window from Roof Maker is
designed for pitched roofs and will offer
a contemporary look to any space. The
frameless view means that up to 49 per
cent more natural light will enter the
room, offering an uninterrupted view
across the entire window opening. A
recent study found that natural light has
a direct link with productivity, so the
inclusion of rooflights will make the space
the ideal place for study and homework.
Another thing to consider when creating
a loft bedroom is ventilation. We always
recommend that homeowners choose an
opening rooflight to ensure that the room
stays at a comfortable temperature all
year round. However, opening and closing
designs can bring added worries for
parents as many fear children will clamber
on to chairs to operate the windows.
To smooth these worries, we suggest
homeowners invest in remote-control
rooflights for added peace of mind. Plus,
the Luxlite can be combined with rain
sensors to avoid any instances when
a window has been left open and
a sudden storm arrives. For more
information, visit http://www.roof-maker.co.uk.If you have a DIY or
maintenance question, write
to ask the exp erts, Your hom e,
hub ert Burda Media Uk,
thetow er, pho enix squ are,
Colchester, ess ex
CO4 9hU or email
[email protected]Tier-on-tier shutters, from £299
per sq m, Shutterly FabulousLuxlite roof lights,
from £280, Roof Maker