David Micklem wrote:

In article , "jerrybuilt"
] wrote:

David Micklem wrote:
My sister has asked me to make up some (internal) shutters for
a couple of her windows. They are intended to cut down on dust
(by getting rid of the curtains - my niece is allergic) and also
hopefully block some noise from the road. I was hoping to tap
your collective wisdom for ideas/warnings over possible pitfalls.

Hmm. Don't curtains tend to collect dust, rather than make it?

Yes, but that is the problem: the curtains collect the dust, making it
hard to remove with routine hoovering. The dust mites feast on it and
um, **** profusely. Then whenever the curtains are moved they shower
the room with allergenic dust/dust-mite-****. At least that is the
theory.

Can't she use a non-dusty curtain material?

Possibly, but that isn't what she's asked me for.


Each shutter has to have three quite narrow hinged sections
and I'm looking for advice on where to get appropriate hinges
(and what they are called) and also on the best choice of
material for the shutters.

What sort of sindows are they?

Tall sash windows.


I'd originally planned to try to make each section up to resemble
a panelled door

Sounds nice...

I thought so too :-(


but she would prefer a completely smooth appearance.

Um.

Yeah well, no accounting for taste. The panels will be quite narrow, so
she may be right.


So I think the options for materials are either solid sheets of
MDF or plywood or to make up a frame of softwood and skin
it with e.g. hardboard. Any strong opinions or alternative ideas?
My feeling is that the solid sheets will be heavier and may thus be
better for sound insulation?

I'd prefer "proper" timber, but I suppose MDF could do the job,
painted up to disguise it... if you use "heavier" material, it will
also be less likely to jiggle with wind or vibration, which could
be a problem. If you do use redwood or whatnot, take care
of warping!


The hinges between the frame and the first section will need
to be Parliament hinges so that the shutters will clear the trim

Trim? Architrave?

Yes, architrave. Sorry.


around the window. (Ideally the hinges between the second and
third sections will also be Parliament hinges so that when folded
the third section can sit between the first and second sections_.

Not sure why - I'dve thought this would make them unwieldy.

I don't think this will be any more unwieldy than the alternative which
is (for want of a better word) a concertina-like arrangement. I figured
that the way I was planning it, the shutter would fold very easily but
when open would be more rigid. This isn't a big issue though - it could
be hinged the other way and will be if I can't find appropriate hinges.


How big is the window? How deep is the reveal?

Roughly 2m high x 1m across. The reveal is 4.5cm. Each window (there
are two) will have a single three-section shutter. This is because
there is only _available_ wall space on one side of each window. Quite
a narrow space too.

Thanks for the suggestions,

David

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You might want to consider a rebate on each piece at each hinged joint to
make them more light tight
I cant see the need for parliament hinges though if you hinge off the
architrave.

Bob