Why Newcastle coastal homeowners are switching to PVC shutters

This is branded content from Shutters Dept.. If you live anywhere near the water in Newcastle, you already know the film.. It turns the glass hazy within days and leaves your fingertips gritty when you run them along the sill..

That film is salt.. The sea breeze carries it well beyond the beachfront streets of Merewether and Stockton.. The glass is the easy part..

The real damage happens to the timber around it, like the sill, the frame and any timber shutters you've fitted inside.. It's one reason more coastal homeowners across the Hunter Region are swapping timber for PVC plantation shutters from brands like Shutters Dept and spending far less time on a drop sheet with a paintbrush.. Salt and moisture are an unfortunate part of beachside living..

Even if your home isn't directly facing the ocean, strong coastal winds can carry fine salt particles inland, where they settle on glass, frames and exposed fittings.. The trouble starts when moisture finds its way into vulnerable materials.. Timber window frames and shutters can absorb water, causing them to swell or change shape..

Over time, repeated exposure can also weaken protective finishes and leave timber more susceptible to rot.. Then there's the sun.. Newcastle's warm summers can be particularly harsh on painted timber, especially where direct sunlight and moisture repeatedly affect the same surfaces..

Paint can start peeling, timber can develop cracks and windows become harder to open or close.. That's why the materials you choose for your window furnishings deserve as much attention as the windows themselves.. Traditional timber shutters can look lovely in a coastal home, but keeping them that way often involves regular upkeep..

They may need repainting or refinishing as their protective coatings wear down, particularly in areas exposed to fluctuating humidity.. In coastal Newcastle, PVC shutters hold up far better against damp sea air.. They're resistant to moisture, so they won't absorb humidity in the same way timber can..

You also get the familiar louvred appearance that suits coastal interiors without having to worry about sanding, painting or varnishing the shutters.. Homeowners looking to make the switch turn to Shutters Dept, Australia's go-to for plantation shutters.. Their shutters are made from aluminium-reinforced PVC, which combines the moisture resistance of PVC with an internal aluminium core that helps prevent the blades from bowing..

This construction makes them particularly useful in humid indoor spaces, including kitchens and bathrooms.. They're designed for interior use, though, so they shouldn't be installed as outdoor shutters.. Installing plantation shutters might sound like a job for a professional..

But with Shutters Dept, this is one home improvement project you can tackle yourself.. Their DIY plantation shutters are pretty easy to install.. They also provide online measuring guidance, frame options and installation instructions to help homeowners work through these decisions..

The process still calls for careful planning and accurate measurements, especially in older Newcastle homes where window openings aren't always perfectly square.. But with clear installation instructions and the right tools, installing your own shutters is a manageable project, even if you don't have much DIY experience.. You can also order a sample pack first..

It includes a louvre piece in each colour and a scale cross-cut of the frame options, so you can hold them against your sill in real daylight before you commit.. Unlike traditional timber shutters, PVC surfaces are relatively easy to clean.. They're non-porous, so the salt residue wipes away in seconds..

All you need is a lint-free or microfibre cloth to dust between every louvre and around the whole frame.. Then run a clean, damp cloth over everything to lift the salt film, and dry it all off with another clean cloth.. If it's been a while, mix a little mild dishwashing liquid into water for that first wipe..

Skip any household cleaner that contains ammonia or chlorine, as both can damage PVC and shorten the life of your shutters.. Stick to soft cloths that won't scratch.. While you're there, wipe down the glass and the sill too..

Salt that builds up there keeps the whole window damp, and a quick wipe stops it settling in.. Your first big decision is whether your shutters sit inside the window recess or over it.. An inside mount fits within the recess for a neat, built-in finish, and you can choose between a Z frame or an L frame..

An outside mount uses an L frame and covers the architrave, which works well when your recess is shallow or your window isn't perfectly square.. Plenty of older Newcastle homes have at least one window like that.. Luckily, Shutters Dept are the experts and have a 'Design Centre' on their website to help you decide which frame type is best for you..

Simply answer a few questions about your window and you'll receive a recommendation for the frame type, the panel quantities and layout.. If a few of your windows look tricky, you can also book a complimentary design session by phone or video call and talk them through before you order.. Take a photo of each window straight on and jot down rough widths and heights first..

That gives the team what it needs to recommend the right frame for every window in your home..