SECURITY SHUTTERS / BLINDS are they worth having?????

Dreamydiver



Joined: 30/08/2010
Posts: 306

Message Posted:
13/03/2011 23:17

We want security for our villa when we aren't there and are interested in getting shutters put in.

can anyone suggest where to get shutters etc? ( we are in esentepe but can travel)

provide their views on the benefits etc

give an approx idea of the costing to put them in a 3 bed villa,



thanks

B

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
13/03/2011 23:22

save your money , buy a car instead , will save loads on the taxi transfers and car rental , thats what we did ,

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 00:21

I think they are worth having. As well as security - and they certainly make your villa secure, they will stop the sun rotting your blinds / furniture and they also finish off the villa nicely. There is an aliminium shop in Catalkoy - they are really good (on the main street in the village) They will come out, measure all windows, make your shutters and frames, and fit them. To do our complete villa was £4,000 - but it was 14 windows (mostly patio door style)

Dreamydiver



Joined: 30/08/2010
Posts: 306

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 00:33

Rowlo ____ me thinks one of us has the wrong end of the stick!



Perry _____ thanks for the info, would you have details on how to find the shop as we are still getting used to finding our way around. Of course, if Catalkoy is a 'one shop town' or a 'one road town' I guess directions aren't necessary!

Sorry to hassle you even further but ................ how long did it take from measuring to completing the job? We are only out for 12 days in April and, whilst I have no reason to doubt the level of workmanship, at £4000 I'd like to see the finished job before handing over all the dosh.

girnegeeza


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 02:41

We have shutters on our villa, but they do not offer much in the way of security, most of the shutters that I have seen come with very feeble locks.

They do however keep out the sun and in our case the rain on some of our poorly fitted windows.

We have them fitted upstairs on the bedrooms, with fly screens also we can sleep comfortably with the windows open and not use the air con.

Shop around, prices vary hugely.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 06:34

"Shop around, prices vary hugely."

Yes yes yes...

With the world in financial free-fall the prices must be negotiable.

As has been stated they are not really much of a security deterrent to a determined burglar.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 07:01

Most expensive and poor quality particularly plastic locks which brittle from sunlight and invariably malfunction or break. After strong winds have helped neighbours pick up pieces of shuttering from their gardens. A nightmare for window cleaning and virtuely useless for security. For a medium sized villa can spend what seems and age opening and closing sticking shutters when a need to leave the property. Not for all, but worth considering, are fancy iron grills at all windows, accompanied by internal blinds and/or curtains at a fraction of the cost. If light colours such as cream are chosen little in the way of sunlight fading curtains which could in any event be changed year on year and still be in pocket. Benefits include lock only doors when going out, leave windows open if preferred, and increased security. Adviseable to have quick unlock fitting to main bedroom grill as means of escape in unlikely event of a fire. 10 decorative, heavy duty grills, cost us £1,000.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 07:13

i would say if you are buying shutters for security reasons - don't bother - the doors, windows and shutters typically fitted here wouldn't keep a thief out for more than a few seconds............



as far as shielding from the sun - very good............

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 08:04

A little Vaseline on the sliding fastenings helps to stop them sticking and makes operation a doddle. Their main reason for existing is privacy and keeping the light out which for various reasons is a distinct advantage.

You can get a variety of colours white, brown, wood-effect etc. depending on taste and suitability. I would definitely get a strong recommendation for a fitting company though... some of the fitters are cowboys who will take a hammer to your window surround to make it fit the shutter frame they have brought with them rather than take the frame away for re-modelling.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 08:06

The problem with shutters is that they keep the sun out, brilliant in the summer but they also keep the winter sun out as well and you will return to a damp and foisty smelling property. People do not seem to realise that when they leave a property locked up for the winter, it is essential that some sun needs to get in, as well as fresh air.







The butlers wife

mikeythespark



Joined: 10/11/2009
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 09:19

Dreamdiver,

We have a 3 bed villa in Catalkoy, with shutters, we are taking them down for all the reasons already stated, but mostly because they stop the winter sun and make the villa cold and gloomy. They are no good when it comes to security, we were burgled last year, all shutters locked!!! Best advise, go for iron grills if it is the security aspect, if to keep the sun out then you are probably looking for shutters, you are most welcome to come and view ours, maybe they will fit some of your windows and we could do a deal. They are white aluminium.



Cheers Mary,wife of SparkyMike

pc4854


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 243

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 09:19

Roller shutters are very good. Mine are now five years old and look as new. Quick to pull up or lower, keep out the sun but allow ventilation if set properly and most important of all, if it looks like rain, drop them all down and the windows stay clean. I would guess the cost for your villa would be in excess of £5K.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 10:51

We open them in winter and position them to reflect heat into the house... nothing gloomy if you don't want them to be.

If we were doing it again, would we buy shutters?... yes.

Would we buy aluminium ones? No.

We'd much prefer the old style wooden ones with solid metal fastenings like they use in France and on the older properties here... OK a bit of maintenance but much nicer and no nasty sharp edges.

gazmufc78


Joined: 03/09/2009
Posts: 366

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 11:11

One thing to take into account is whether your doors and windows open inward or out wards.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 11:13

Definitely, they are worth installing.

Sandcastle


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 215

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 11:41

Next door to us has the roller shutters and I have to say do seem the best. They are vented so can let air through when the doors/windows are open, but provides some security. They are about 5 years old and apart from dust, are still in good condition. They provide as much security as any windows and doors do over here, so wont stop anybody who wants to get in from getting in. The main advantage is that they lock into a padlock in the floor on the window side so a bit of noise is made if trying to break in.



If it is just for security, have the iron railings.

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 11:54

I'd say the wooden ones are better in terms of security and for keeping the heat out. They do need varnished or painted every year but they do keep looking cleaner than metal ones and are easier to lock.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 12:43

gazmufc78



That's the good thing about the old fashioned wood type... you can fit them well outside the windows and have ones that fold back fully.

tiger


Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 245

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 14:57

We live in Esentepe and have shutters fitted. they have been up for 3 years now and we have had no problem with the catches breaking down, If they do they are very easy to replace. If you would like to come to see ours you would be very welcome. We can also recommend a very proffessional company for you. Please E-mail me for contact details.

gallop


Joined: 12/12/2010
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 16:20

Our shutters on 4 bedroomed villa now 7 years old and as good as new in aluminium wood effect cost about 4 grand fitted. Would we have them again .......yes we would. Would they keep out intruders ...... not likely from a person who is good at his trade. The only downside i can see as a permanent resident is cleaning them. Remember the old aluminium venetian blinds. Well you cannot put the shutter type in the bath.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 17:54

Gallop



I use a long-handled soft broom... shut the shutter and use it up-down left and right, inside and out... job done in no time. Without shutters all that dirt gets on your windows anyway. When it rains we angle them down so that the glass doesn't get wet.



They are fairly easy to lift off and hose off if you wish to... still prefer the wooden ones though

Dreamydiver



Joined: 30/08/2010
Posts: 306

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 21:17

thank you all for such helpful advice ...this is what the forum is all about!

gavangie


Joined: 16/08/2010
Posts: 48

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 22:02

As Groucho says, they are fairly easy to lift off - If hosing down is too much effort fling them in the pool if you have one.

Dreamydiver



Joined: 30/08/2010
Posts: 306

Message Posted:
14/03/2011 22:32

hadnt thought about the 'old fashioned' wooden ones....does anyone know a fitter / had them recently fitted?

Dreamydiver



Joined: 30/08/2010
Posts: 306

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 09:19

So .... does anyone know of / can recommend a local (pref Esentepe area) carpenter who make and fit wooded shutters please?

Who else has wooden ones? More work to maintain but cheaper????

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 17:38

Dreamydiver. If you eventually decide on wooden ones best to also evaluate type of fittings on the shutters as some involve only being able to close them by going outside and unhinging them from the walls. Can be tiresome when there is a an unexpected, torrential, downpour of rain particularly when it is dark outside and some muppet has put wide, muddy, flowerbeds underneath the windows, which was the case in a villa we rented when our villa was not completed on time.

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
17/03/2011 18:00

Bernice, I would argue our shutters have been very effective for security.... I will get the name of the company for you. I would say the security factor is going to depend on the quality and robustness you have fitted. The Catalkoy company was very good. We are also coming out on April 9, so if you want to check them out, you are welcome to visit. You can txt me on +447710677480 if interested.