Solid panel shutters

What makes a shutter solid

If you prefer a more traditional, solid shutter look, these panels are worth exploring. They feel different from louvred shutters, and we'll happily explain what that means for light, privacy and how the window is used.

Many people picture shutters with tilting louvres. A solid panel shutter has no slats in the panel at all. Each panel is a framed board, either flat or with a raised and recessed pattern. When it is closed, it is a wall of painted or finished timber-style panel across the window. When it is open, it folds back into the sides of the reveal and leaves the glass clear.

Where the solid look comes from

Solid shutters have a long history in older houses. Interior panel shutters were once folded into the window reveal of Georgian and Victorian homes, and the style still looks at home in period terraces and villas, though it also works in a plain modern room that wants a calm, unfussy feel. If your house has deep window reveals or old panelling, a solid panel set often looks as though it has always been there.

How they differ from louvred shutters

• No tilt. A louvred shutter lets you angle the slats for in-between light. A solid panel is either closed or open, so control is less fine.
• Different look. The flat or raised panels read as traditional and architectural, while louvres read as lighter and more relaxed.
• Cleaning. A panel is a flat surface that wipes down easily, with no slats to dust one by one.
• Ventilation. You open the panel to get air, because there are no louvre gaps.

Privacy and light

Closed solid panels give strong privacy, since nobody can see in at all. The room will be much darker with them shut, though some light may show at the edges depending on the fit, so think of it as very dim rather than pitch black. Many people use a split layout: the lower section closed for privacy, the upper section open for daylight. For that kind of layout, see cafe style shutters and tier on tier shutters.

Insulation, in plain terms

A solid, close fitting panel across a window can help reduce draughts and may help the room hold its warmth in colder months, because it adds a layer between the glass and the room. How much difference it makes depends on the window, the fit, the panel and the house, so it is hard to give a figure. Think of it as a possible bonus alongside the look.

Fit, depth and clearances

A solid panel folded back takes up some of the reveal, and it blocks a little of the glass when it is open. Deep reveals suit it best, since the panels can stack into the depth without covering the window. In a shallow reveal, the folded panels may cover more of the glass and sit proud, so we look at the depth, handle position and window opening style before suggesting a layout. If your windows are tilt and turn, our article on tilt and turn windows is a helpful read, as the same clearance questions apply.

When another style might suit you better

If you want to tilt light into a room all day, or you have a window that needs frequent airing without opening panels, louvres are probably a good fit. If you want a plainer, lower-cost covering, a Roman blind or roller blind may be worth comparing. We are happy to talk through what works best at your windows.

Looking after painted or finished panels

Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry afterwards. Gentle cleaners are best, as harsh ones may mark the finish, depending on what the finish is. Keep an eye on the hinges, and a drop of suitable lubricant now and then keeps them quiet.

Solid panel shutters are a secondary range for us, so we will happily tell you what we can arrange for your windows. See the main shutters page for other styles.

Not sure which way to go? Book a free measure, tell us what you have, and we will confirm what suits before you commit to anything.

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