DIY shutters and cheap online shutter kits are gaining popularity as homeowners look for ways to save money while making home improvements. Using your initiative should be celebrated, but some crafts – like designing and installing shutters – require an expert to achieve the very best results.
When shutters are fitted incorrectly, they cause unexpected problems that invariably require calling (and paying) for assistance to correct them. Something might look like a bargain and simple to put together, but the long-term cost, fit, and quality of cheap DIY shutters rarely match those of a professionally fitted one.
In this blog, you will discover the potential risks and downsides of choosing cheap DIY shutters, how to avoid them, and how to make the best choices when investing in shutters for your home.
Poor Fit and Incorrect Measurements
Opting for a DIY kit means you – and you alone – are responsible for measuring perfectly. Mismeasurement can lead to gaps, crooked placement, or louvres that don’t sit properly. If you make even a small mistake, the cost to rectify could be huge – you might even have to start from scratch, meaning your bargain shutters have suddenly doubled in price.
Shutters need total precision, and you can trust us when we say that more awkwardly shaped windows, such as bays, angled, and circular, make a successful DIY install almost impossible.
Professional measuring prevents shutter installation issues, especially in older or uneven Scottish homes. You’ve also got the guarantee that comes with your shutters – all reputable, professional companies provide a solid guarantee that should last several years.
Low-Quality Materials That Don’t Last
The reason that many DIY shutters are cheap often comes down to the materials that they are made from. Thin MDF or low-grade plastics are the most commonly used materials, and they tend to warp, swell, fade, and crack.
Inferior materials won’t withstand the more challenging environments in your home, like the humidity of your kitchen or bathrooms. If you choose to use them in these rooms, you will likely accelerate damage to the shutters, substantially reducing their lifespan.
Our premium hardwood, faux wood, and waterproof ranges are the gold standard for all environments, lasting for decades before you even need to consider upgrading. The Scottish Shutter Company has a substantial range of materials and finishes to suit all budgets, so quality doesn’t have to be out of reach.
Flimsy Hardware and Poor Functionality
Substandard materials are just one of the cheap shutter problems you could face. Poor quality hinges, tilt mechanisms, and frames often result in wobbly panels, stiff louvres, and squeaks.
Over time, your cheap DIY shutters may become unusable due to their inferior mechanisms. It’s best practice to use hardware designed for daily use that has a lifespan of several decades, not just a few months. Read more about the importance of solid hardware and the range of tiltrods that The Scottish Shutter Company offers here.
Difficult or Unsafe Installation
Why choose professional shutters? No matter how skilled you think you are, it’s essential to understand the potential issues you may encounter when undertaking DIY shutter installation in your home.
The most common problems include:
- Misaligned panels that lead to functional problems as well as aesthetic issues
- Damage to the window frames made during installation that invalidates any warranty they carry
- Loose fittings due to inaccurate measurements, incorrect installation, and low-quality hardware.
The most significant risk you should keep in mind when considering self-installation is safety, especially around children. BBSA standards ensure a safe, secure, and compliant fit, and sadly, many DIY kits cannot offer this. To ensure your shutters are fitted to the highest safety standards, rely on a professional company that can troubleshoot any potential issues!
Lack of Warranty or Aftercare
As mentioned, any reputable shutter company will offer a robust warranty that lasts many years. Unfortunately, cheap online sellers will either provide a minimal warranty or, more often than not, one with many exclusions (many have clauses that don’t cover improper installation). The Scottish Shutter Company proudly offers long-term aftercare, guarantees, and ongoing expert support.
Hidden Costs of “Cheap” DIY Shutters
You might still think that cheap DIY shutters are worth the risk; however, the replacement costs when DIY shutters fail prematurely can be substantial. The frustration and cost of repairing botched installations are huge.
But faulty mechanisms pale in comparison to a much bigger issue that can drain your resources: poorly installed shutters also have a significant impact on your energy efficiency.
Shutters are famously known for their ability to insulate a room – wood is an excellent insulator, reducing the thermal transfer of cold from your window pane into your room. The louvres also mean you can block strong sunlight, reducing overheating during the summer – they’re all-round winners when it comes to efficiency.
But poorly made or installed shutters don’t offer this benefit – and you may not even realise it until too late. So, if the bonus of reduced energy bills is on your list of reasons to invest in shutters, don’t be misled by a cheap deal…
How to Avoid These DIY Problems
How exactly can you avoid shutter installation issues?
- Choose a reputable BBSA member with trained installers
- Invest in quality materials built to last decades, not months
- Book a consultation to get the right measurements and access professional advice
- Consider the value of expert craftsmanship vs short-term savings.
Cheap DIY shutters may seem appealing, but poor quality and a bad fit usually end up costing far more in the long run. Professionally measured and installed shutters will always deliver beauty, durability, performance, and peace of mind.
Want the perfect shutters that last for a decade? SCC has the answer! Are you thinking of upgrading your home with custom shutters? Contact The Scottish Shutter Company today for a free design consultation.
