New georgian window shutters

[MattW]

The 1827 georgian town house in London I am restoring/renovating is missing all of the window shutters from the ground and 1st floors (they were removed in the 70s.) Fortunately my neighbours are happy to give me access so we can copy theirs... However finding a joiner that is confident to replicate them is proving really difficult. The last one I spoke to was happy to make the shutters themselves in his workshop, but didn't want to make the shutter boxes as these were detailed & would need to be made on site. My main contractor is uncertain as to whether his carpenter can achieve the necessary quality of finish on the boxes...

Does anyone have anyone that they would recommend / think might be interested in undertaking the whole project?

 

[Penners]

I've no idea whether it's going to be of any help at all (and they're a fair distance from London), but I found this on the electric interweb:

http://sashesandshutters.co.uk/

 

[Nigel Watts]

the electric interweb? Have we been ensnerped?

 

[middi]

Your main contractor should easily find a joinery shop which will make the shutters. There are some good, private joinery/woodworking shops up and down the country which will make anything you want. The problem is that some contractors are used to dealing with fast working chippies which is not the same thing as all modern joinery work is mass produced and difficult for these places to deviate from production. The good old yellow pages should have a selection of woodworking shops which will make what you want.

 

[Penners]

the electric interweb? Have we been ensnerped?

Oh yes. We now have electricity and everything, out here in high-tech Suffolk.

 

[MattW]

I've no idea whether it's going to be of any help at all (and they're a fair distance from London),

Thanks for the suggestion Penners. Unfortunately they are pretty busy and turned the work down as too far to come.

Your main contractor should easily find a joinery shop which will make the shutters.

Actually a fair number of joiners aren't interested/able to do the work - first 2 we spoke to turned it down, and the third offered to only make the shutters but not the boxes or do the installation. They appear to be complex, the mouldings aren't always available off the shelf and because nothing is quite square etc, they are difficult to install, get to hang straight and fold correctly back into their boxes.

We've had a recommendation from someone else on the street, but any other suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

http://www.countrylife.co.uk/proper...Renovating-interiors-restoring-panelling.html

http://www.countrylife.co.uk/proper...67313/How_to_perfect_a_Georgian_exterior.html

http://www.countrylife.co.uk/proper...09065/Restoring_Georgian_period_property.html

SPAB, The Georgian Group and the Spitalfields Trust might be able to point you in suitable directions too

 

[Manny]

For more detailed work you might want to think about a cabinet maker who's up for the challenge of something a bit different rather than your usual building site hairy ass chippy :wink:

 

[middi]

I sympathise with your dilemma MattW, it just highlights why contemporary tradesman are only willing to do a good job if they can get the replacement parts "off the shelf". At a push any DIY enthusiast nowdays can build anything as the art of "making things" has been stifled by mass production, quick turnover and little thinking to achieve a goal. All geared ( like the rest of the world) to make a quick buck with little effort.
There should be no reason why a reasonably equipped woodworking shop should not get the appropriate cutters made for about 100 pounds , fit them on their existing spindle blocks and make the appropriate profiles to satisfy a customer. There is a cost of course to "hand make" things and a self respecting woodworking shop should leave the choise to the customer.

It seems to me that they cannot be bothered, put up with any hastle or think about it.( or worse, incapable)

If I was not busy I would make them for you as a challenge.

Keep pestering people someone is bound to come up with the goods

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

Matt W,

I agree with the oter posters - just keep looking and eventually you'll find someone to do the job. I do this sort of work frequently - unfortunately at the wrong end of the country for you. It helps when customers make it clear that they understand there is a cost involved in dealing with slightly unusual projects in older houses, and that they are happy to pay for a quality job to be done. As suggested, cabinetmakers might be the direction to go.

 

[MattW]

Manny, Middi and Andrew - thanks both of you for those thoughts. I think a cabinet maker might be the way forward. I have had some luck in the past using shop fitting joinery firms as they are used to exacting client standards - whether any of them are good at more period things though is another matter!

If Nigel in Islington is reading this, do you have any suggestions being a local and all that?

 

[c r]

hello

Have just read an old newspaper article on shutters, in which this London joinery firm is described as offering to make what I believe you are requiring

Wheeler & Company, in Dalston, Hackney.

I just had quick search and cannot find a website for them but they are listed on this website with contact details etc.
http://www.thehousedirectory.com/view.php?company=1353

Promise I am not affiliated with them in any way, and sorry if ive broken forum rules with this post... can email with their details if you cant find them

regards

 

[Nigel Watts]

If Nigel in Islington is reading this, do you have any suggestions being a local and all that?

I used a joiner a few years ago, but this was on modern stuff for my extension and basement dining room. All the traditional joinery I have done myself, so I'm afraid I dont have a suggestion. On Friday we are having dinner with some old friends who have just moved back into their late Georgian house in Theberton Street (just off Gibson Square) after a major refurb. I will see if they can recommend anyone.

 

[Juju]

My brother (who lives in Gibson Square just mentioned by Nigel) had some beautiful cupboards made for his previous Islington property so when I get a chance I'll ask him if he can remember the name of the joiner. He recently discovered that the person who bought his flat has ripped them out! Funny how people spend a fortune buying properties and then rip out everything in them...