Plantation Shutters and Wooden Shutters FAQ
Please read our shutters FAQ below.
We have tried to answer all of your questions relating to our self installation shutters and plantation shutters - including how to install them, design questions and delivery details of your shutters.
If there are any questions unanswered here please call us on 0845 123 5661 or contact us and we will be happy to help!
- What are your shutters made from?
- Why do you make wooden shutters from Yellow Poplar and Elm?
- Which hardwood is better for making shutters - Elm or Poplar?
- What is the difference between Poplar and Elm for making shutters?
- Where do you make your plantation shutters?
- Why do you make shutters in China and not in the UK?
- I’m concerned about labour and environmental conditions in China. Is your shutter factory a sweat shop?
- Are you buying you shutters from the same place as all these other shutters companies I see on the internet?
- All shutters are the same are they not -does it matter where they come from?
- What makes The California Shutter Company different?
- Can you help give me design advice for my shutters?
- What if I have made a mistake when I order my shutters online?
- When I place my shutter order, can I change my mind?
- How long will it take for my plantation shutters to arrive?
- How are my shutters shipped?
- Will you notify me when my shutters are being delivered?
- Can I specify what time I would like my plantation shutters delivered to me?
- Are my shutters well packaged to avoid damage in transit?
- What happens if my shutters are damaged when in transit?
- If my shutters do arrive damaged, do I have to wait a long time for a replacement?
- Are your shutters guaranteed?
- What do you supply to install my shutters?
- What can I expect to find when I open the boxes to install my shutters?
- Do you pre drill and hinge my shutters?
- What items do I need to provide to install my shutters?
- What if I am having problems installing my shutters?
- What else do I need to know?
- Do you sell exterior shutters in the US?
What are your shutters made from?
We manufacture our shutters using only quality hardwoods, Yellow Poplar and Elm.
Why do you make wooden shutters from Yellow Poplar and Elm?
Both hardwoods have been tried and tested by us and are proven to be the best materials (in our and our customers opinions!) for plantation shutter construction.
Which hardwood is better for making shutters - Elm or Poplar?
Neither material is better or worse for making your shutters.
It is the wood grain that sets our shutters apart.
When you look at the sample online or order a wood sample prior to purchasing you shutters, go on the look of grain. Both woods are equally as strong and good quality for making wooden shutters.
What is the difference between Poplar and Elm for making shutters?
Poplar has a very smooth straight grain. Therefore if you order your shutters with a painted finish, the shutter panels, slats and frames all have a very smooth finish. Elm is a wood very similar in appearance to Oak. It has a deep grain which is apparent both visually and to the touch.
Generally speaking most customers prefer the look of a poplar shutter when choosing a painted finish for their shutters and when choosing a stain are split between Poplar and Elm. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Where do you make your plantation shutters?
We manufacture our shutters in China, approximately 3 hours outside of Shanghai.
Why do you make shutters in China and not in the UK?
Quite simply, we could not be cost competitive. Labour and manufacturing overheads in the UK are prohibitively expensive and we would be forced to increase our prices significantly if we made your shutters here.
I’m concerned about labour and environmental conditions in China. Is your shutter factory a sweat shop?
Absolutely not. Until 2005 we made our shutters in Canada but due to high costs, we could no longer offer our quality shutters at a competitive price to you.
We therefore decided to move our manufacturing facility to China but in doing so have focused on ensuring that our facility continually strives to achieve the highest possible standards of environmental responsibility and the wellbeing of all staff employed.
Our entire supply chain, manufacturing process and staff working/living environment has passed the Quality & Procedures Assessment of the UK’s leading DIY chain, as part of their checks before starting to sell California Company shutters in-store.
Are you buying you shutters from the same place as all these other shutters companies I see on the internet?
No – that is where we are different. We have a joint venture with a Chinese company and the design, manufacturing techniques and processes employed to make your shutters are unique to our company.
All shutters are the same are they not -does it matter where they come from?
All shutters are not the same!
Our team here at The California Company has invested considerable time and energy in ensuring our shutter product is unrivaled in terms of quality and design, ensuring you receive a cost effective yet exceptionally high quality plantation shutter product.
What makes The California Shutter Company different?
Our product is unique and exceptionally high quality. We have a fantastic team of passionate, educated, knowledgeable staff and have a level of customer care that is second to none. We don’t have a ‘call centre mentality’ and endeavour to assist all customers to the very best of our ability with any questions or help they require related to buying their shutters.
Can you help give me design advice for my shutters?
Yes. This is one area where we surpass customer expectations.
You can call us to discuss any specific issues related to your shutter order or better still, email us photos of your windows and we can reply with the best design for your shutters. We also encourage customers to email us photos of their windows and we can reply marking on the photo to show the best place to measure for the perfect shutter fit!
What if I have made a mistake when I order my shutters online?
When you place your shutter order online, all orders are processed by our staff.
That means, a member of our design team will print off your shutter order and review all details. If there are any elements of the order that we feel do not make sense, or if we have any questions related to the specification or product options you have requested for your shutters, we will contact you.
You can have complete confidence when ordering with us!
When I place my shutter order, can I change my mind?
If you contact us immediately upon placing your order by phone or email we may be able to amend your order.
However our manufacturing system is exceptionally efficient and once the order is transferred to the factory floor it is difficult to amend any details.
How long will it take for my plantation shutters to arrive?
Most orders are delivered within 7 weeks of order placement.
How are my shutters shipped?
Your shutters will either be delivered directly by The California Shutter & Blind Co or they will be delivered by our trusted delivery partner TNT.
Will you notify me when my shutters are being delivered?
Yes – as part of our service, we will call you to inform you that your shutters are ready to be dispatched to you and agree a date that will be convenient for you to accept delivery.
Can I specify what time I would like my plantation shutters delivered to me?
Not specifically. However, you do have the option of choosing a Saturday delivery or pre 12 noon delivery as an extra cost option when buying your shutters. Standard weekday delivery is free for all orders over £50 however delivery can be any time between 9am and 6pm.
Are my shutters well packaged to avoid damage in transit?
Yes – we use a combination of high quality thick cardboard, polystyrene and plywood to ensure that your shutters do not sustain damage when in transit.
What happens if my shutters are damaged when in transit?
Please check all boxes when your shutters arrive for any visual signs of damage to the packaging. If this is the case, please sign the paperwork to indicate the boxes were received damaged.
In the rare event that this does occur, The California Shutter Company will take care of everything and will remake anything that has sustained damage during transit.
If my shutters do arrive damaged, do I have to wait a long time for a replacement?
On the very rare occasion when transit damage has occurred and frames or slats are damaged, we are able to organise quick replacement of these parts as we have our own shutter workshop in the UK, in Brighton.
We can usually have them sent out for next day delivery!
Are your shutters guaranteed?
Yes – your shutter purchase is guaranteed for a period of 3 years from delivery.
What do you supply to install my shutters?
Your wooden shutters and polyvinyl shutters are shipped with almost everything you need to install.
Depending on the options you choose when ordering your shutters, you will receive the shutter panels, shutter frames, hinges, screws, magnets – basically everything you should need to ensure a quick, simple shutter installation.
We will even provide you with the drill bit best suited to install your shutters!
What can I expect to find when I open the boxes to install my shutters?
The good news is that provided you ‘name your room/window’ when you order your shutters, your boxes will arrive clearly marked to indicate which box relates to which window. The shutter boxes will also be marked to indicate which panels are within each box. Making installation of your shutters, really, very easy!
Do you pre drill and hinge my shutters?
Depending on the design you choose*, we will pre drill and pre hinge your shutters. We have a uniquely designed drop pin shutter hinge, which enables us to attach our shutter hinge system to the shutter frames and panels.
Where possible we will pre mitre and pre drill with countersunk holes the shutter frames used to install your shutters.
(*This information relates to 95% of the shutter orders that have been sold between 2006 - 2008. The remaining 5% of customer choose to have their plantation shutters without the options detailed above.)
What items do I need to provide to install my shutters?
Installation of your shutters is easy. However there is a little work required on your part! We recommend you have a drill, screwdriver and if desired tube of decorators caulk to give a neat ‘finishing touch’ to your shutters.
What if I am having problems installing my shutters?
We are more than happy to help you. We ensure that all our California Team members are knowledgeable about all areas of the business to ensure they can assist with most issues our customers have.
Therefore if in the unlikely event you should become stuck when installing your shutters, give us a call and we’ll help you out!
What else do I need to know?
We can’t think of anything else but as they say the only bad question, is one not asked.
So, if you have any questions related to your shutter purchase that is left unanswered here or in this website, please be sure to email or call us.
Do you sell exterior shutters in the US?
We only sell interior plantation shutters within the UK, however if you are in the US we can recommend ShutterContractor.com for exterior shutters
