Shutters

Beautifully neat windows, with light just how you like it

Shutters can give a room a wonderfully finished feel, especially around bay windows and in living rooms where you'd like privacy without shutting out all the daylight. Their adjustable louvres let you change the view and the light throughout the day. They are a different look from fabric blinds, and they aren't the right answer for every window or budget. We're happy to show you the options, explain how they compare with blinds and help you decide whether shutters would feel right in your home.

We also have a wide choice of blinds, so if you're comparing the two, we're happy to explain the differences without steering you towards one or the other.

Why people choose them

• Control of light and privacy. Tilting the louvres lets you direct light upward or close the view while keeping the room bright.
• A fixed, finished look. They frame the window like furniture does, and many people like that.
• No fabric. Louvres are generally wiped or dusted, which some find simpler than cleaning fabric.
• No cords on most designs. Many are adjusted by a tilt rod or by hand on the louvres, which avoids loops that need securing. Check the design you choose.

Bay windows

Bays are where shutters often make the most sense. Each section can be given its own set of panels, which hinge back so the windows can still be opened. A bay with a shutter on each pane keeps the shape of the window visible. Bays differ in angle and depth, so the layout is worked out for each window, and the measurement is where most of the care goes. We are happy to do the measuring for you.

If you are comparing shutters with other options for a bay, Roman blinds, wooden blinds and Venetian blinds are worth looking at, and often cost less.

Louvre sizes

The louvre is the slat. Wider louvres show fewer slats across the window, give a more open view and a more contemporary look. Narrower louvres give more slats and finer control over light, and suit smaller windows and a traditional style. The sizes available depend on the make and the window, so we will talk through which proportions look right for yours.

Materials

Shutters are generally made from wood, from engineered wood products, or from synthetic materials, and each has trade-offs. Natural wood can be painted or stained and has a quality feel, but may be affected by damp and movement. Synthetic materials are often chosen for kitchens and bathrooms for their resistance to moisture, though the specifics vary by product. Tell us the room and we will happily confirm what suits.

Shutters or blinds?

• Shutters take up space in the room when open, can need clear wall beside the window, and usually cost more than blinds.
• Blinds keep the window clear when raised, can be fitted to almost any window size and come in far more fabrics and colours.

If you are unsure, our curtain or Roman blind advice helps with the other soft options, and our blinds overview covers the rest.

Measuring

Shutters are made to fit the opening closely, so accurate measuring matters more than for most blinds. Recesses are seldom perfectly square, and windows may have handles, cills or shallow depth that affect where frames can sit. If you would like to try yourself, it helps to take measurements at several points and note any obstructions. Our guide to measuring awkward windows helps, and a professional measure helps avoid costly surprises.

When you are ready, book a free measure. We will look at your windows, talk through the options and provide a quotation before you commit.

Decora Santa Fe shutters

We supply the Santa Fe shutter range from Decora, which Decora describes as handcrafted shutters, in every style it offers. See our pages on full-height, tier-on-tier, café-style, bay window, tracked, solid panel and French door shutters, and book a free measure to talk through the options for your windows.

Inspiration