What the Green Building Council says about wooden shutters

This week, BBC News at Six featured a segment on heat-related risks in the UK, noting that over 1,000 people died from extreme heat in the last year alone. As climate change accelerates, our homes need to do more than just look good—they need to perform.

One of the most practical, stylish, and sustainable solutions?

Wooden plantation shutters.

🪟 What the Green Building Council Recommends

During the segment, Yetunde Abdul from the UK Green Building Council shared some powerful insights:

“I love the passive heating and cooling that you get with louvres that you can alter yourself.”

“They’re natural as opposed to A/C.”

This simple statement reflects a much larger truth in sustainable architecture: shading is one of the most effective ways to passively cool a home.

Gareth Keyte - Owner of 'Oak Tree Shutters' said:

"We’ve seen this first-hand. Our clients tell us their wooden shutters don’t just look beautiful—they reduce glare, protect furnishings, and crucially, help regulate indoor temperatures during extreme weather."

🌿 Why Plantation Shutters Work

Plantation shutters are more than a design feature. They’re a low-energy, high-impact solution to:

• Block harsh sunlight during peak hours

• Allow air to circulate naturally

• Reduce reliance on fans or air conditioning

• Improve privacy and comfort year-round

By adjusting the angle of the louvres, homeowners can fine-tune how much light and heat enter their rooms. That’s passive cooling at its best—and it comes without the carbon footprint of mechanical cooling.

🏠 Make an Informed Choice

Whether you’re fitting out a new home or looking to retrofit sustainably, it’s worth considering the benefits that adjustable wooden shutters can offer—not just in terms of style, but in their long-term performance.

If you’d like tailored advice about how to best manage heat and light in your home, Oak Tree Shutters are happy to help you explore the right option—with no pressure and no assumptions.