Shutter Removal & Reinstallation During Window Renovations
Are you planning to replace or renovate your windows, but you already have shutters installed? At The ShutterShack, we offer a professional Shutter Removal and Reinstallation Service. It’s important to factor your current shutters into your window renovation plans.
Why Is Shutter Removal Necessary?
If you're having new windows fitted or carrying out renovation work around your existing ones, you may be asked to temporarily remove any window dressings to allow for access. Understandably, this can raise concerns—especially if you’ve invested in custom shutters.
New Windows, Same Shutters? It Might Just Work
We’re regularly contacted by homeowners in the same situation, wondering whether their shutters can be taken down and reinstalled after the work is complete. In most cases, provided there aren’t major changes to the size, shape, or structure of the window, your shutters can be carefully removed and refitted without major issues.
The key is planning ahead. If you're unsure, get in touch with us before the work begins. We can assess your current setup, offer expert advice, and help coordinate the removal and reinstallation of your shutters to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Refitting Shutters After Window Renovations: What to Consider
Shutters are bespoke and custom-made to fit your specific windows and reveals. This precision-fit is one of the features that makes plantation shutters so appealing, but it also means that any changes to the window area, such as new window frames or plastering work, can affect the way your current shutters fit and operate. To ensure they go back in place smoothly, we strongly recommend keeping the surrounding area exactly as it was when the shutters were first installed.
What to Expect During Shutter Removal
Removing shutters is a delicate process. Your shutter frame is sealed and secured with fixings hidden behind the trim, which means we must first remove the trim to access those fixings. While we always take every care to minimise disruption and damage, it's important to understand that some minor damage may occur, especially to the surrounding trim or décor.
Our team will keep you informed throughout the process and will highlight any concerns that arise during removal. Once the shutters are safely taken down, we will leave them with you for safekeeping until you are ready for them to be reinstalled.
Things to Consider Before Ordering New Windows
To help preserve the look and fit of your shutters, it's worth taking a moment to think through how your new windows will differ from your current ones. Here are some key points to bear in mind:
Like-for-like replacements: If your new windows match the existing ones in size, shape, and layout, it’s usually fine to remove and reinstall your shutters without major issues.
Your shutters were likely built around your original handles, so we strongly recommend asking your window supplier to fit slimline espagnolette handles instead of standard ones wherever possible.
Bay windows: These can be tricky. It's important to keep the same number of panes and the same angles within the bay. Even small changes can impact how your shutters fit or function.
Window breaks and divisions: If the natural breaks in the window (like mullions or transoms) are changing position, it might not affect the physical fit but could impact the aesthetic and alignment of your shutters.
Sills, architraves and reveals: Shutters are usually installed to the window surround or architrave, so it’s crucial that these stay in the same place during your renovation for the best reinstallation outcome.
Shutter Removal and Reinstallation Service
What Happens After Your Window Work Is Completed?
Once your new windows or repairs are complete, we will return to refit your shutters, subject to availability in our installation schedule. We’ll aim to book your reinstallation as soon as we have availability after your project is finished.
In many cases, shutters can be reinstalled with excellent results. However, if your window dimensions or reveals have changed significantly, some adjustments may be required, and minor decorating touch-ups to the surrounding decoration may be needed. These touch-ups will be your responsibility, but we will ensure that the shutter installation itself is completed to the highest possible standard.
In rare cases, it may not be possible to reinstall your shutters exactly as they were due to alterations made during the window renovation.
Ready to Book or Need Further Advice on Shutter Removal and Reinstallation?
If you're an existing ShutterShack customer planning window replacements or renovations, it’s a good idea to get in touch with us early in the process. We can provide a quote and, when the time comes, carefully remove your shutters and coordinate a smooth reinstallation once your window work is complete.
If we didn’t originally install your shutters but you’d like a quote for removal and refitting, please email us some clear photos of your existing shutters in place. As long as you’re local to us, we’ll be happy to review them and provide an initial estimate. In some cases, a home survey may be needed before we can confirm a final price.
We’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
If you're planning window upgrades and hoping to reuse your shutters, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Get in touch today – we’ll be happy to help.
