Lifetime Shutters

Lifetime Shutters: made-to-measure shutters for the London area

Lifetime Shutters is a British company dedicated to the design, manufacture and installation of interior shutters, known in the industry as plantation shutters. The company works with its own workshops where each piece is made individually according to the measurements and style requested by the customer. Its stated area of operation covers London and its surroundings, with a commercial presence in Richmond, Teddington, Chiswick, Twickenham, Wimbledon, Fulham, Putney, Kensington, Chelsea, Hampton, Hounslow and Wandsworth, among other areas.

Product ranges and materials

The catalogue is organised into several material families, each aimed at different needs in terms of strength, finish and budget:

• ecowood: shutters made from U-PVC copolymer, the same type of material used in automotive parts, household appliances and motorcycle helmets. The company highlights its resistance to temperature changes, ultraviolet rays and moisture, as well as its ease of cleaning. It is sold with a limited lifetime warranty.
• ecowood PLUS: a variant of the above with U-PVC thermoplastic polymer, designed to offer greater impact and heat resistance. It features an ultraviolet inhibitor finish to prevent fading and is available in different panel, frame, colour and hardware designs.
• biowood: a combination of U-PVC frames and kiln-dried, laminated Paulownia wood panels. The company presents it as an option that balances quality and price, with quality controls at every stage of manufacturing.
• biowood PLUS: an improved version of the above, with Paulownia wood panels and U-PVC frames, available in twenty painted colours and with custom angles for bays.
• basswood: shutters made from selected basswood, with mortise and tenon construction for greater stability. They are offered in five pre-painted shades of white.
• basswood PLUS: a basswood range with quarter-sawn cut, aimed at more exclusive finishes. It adds twenty additional stained colours and is designed for unique designs and large-format windows.
• EARTH Aluminium Security Shutters: architectural-grade aluminium shutters with powder coating, presented as the most robust option in the catalogue. They include multiple lock options and are aimed at those who prioritise security without compromising on aesthetics.

Shutter styles

The company offers several panel formats to suit different types of window and uses:

• Full Height: panels divided into sections with independent tilt rods; they usually include a central rail on particularly tall windows.
• Tier on Tier: upper and lower panels that can be opened and closed in any combination, offering maximum flexibility.
• Café Style: they cover only the lower half of the window and leave the upper half free; they are recommended for street-level windows.
• Solid Panels: solid panels that offer total privacy, near-blackout conditions, a high level of security and reduction of outside noise.
• Combi Panels: a combination of panels that allows alternating solid areas and louvred areas.
• Special Shaped Shutters: pieces individually designed for windows of non-standard shapes or sizes.
• Aluminium Security Plantation Shutters: aluminium solutions for commercial applications, made to measure in the company's workshops.

Manufacturing and finishes

The shutters are made in the company's workshops in the style, colour and frame design chosen by the customer. Paulownia and basswood panels are used in the wood ranges, and U-PVC is used in the synthetic material ranges. The company emphasises the use of mortise and tenon construction in the basswood range to reinforce structural integrity, as well as the availability of custom angles for bays. The catalogue includes colour options ranging from the five pre-painted shades of white in the basswood range to the twenty painted colours of biowood PLUS and the twenty stained shades of basswood PLUS.

Showrooms and geographical coverage

Lifetime Shutters has two showrooms, one in Richmond and one in Teddington, which the company makes available to customers to see the products. Its stated service area covers London and nearby towns such as Richmond, Teddington, Chiswick, Twickenham, Wimbledon, Fulham, Putney, Kensington, Chelsea, Hampton, Hounslow and Wandsworth.

Warranty and maintenance

The company states that its ecowood and ecowood PLUS shutters include a limited lifetime warranty as standard. As for maintenance, it notes that dusting and an occasional wipe with a damp cloth are sufficient. It also highlights their contribution to energy efficiency, by retaining heat in winter and keeping it out in summer.