What are the different types of shutters

Abi Clewley

BY Abi Clewley

Published: 24 May 2022 Updated: 04 September 2026

Window shutters

When it comes to window dressings, most people think of blinds and curtains, often overlooking the timeless charm of window shutters. Shutters offer a versatile, stylish, and practical solution, adding warmth, security, and a touch of luxury to your home. With a variety of styles and materials to choose from, understanding the differences and benefits can be overwhelming. Let’s explore the world of shutters and discover how they can transform your living spaces.

Understanding shutters

Room with dark  olive walls, low table by window with green vase with orange blossom and window dressed in white shutters, louvres open.

Understanding shutters

Interior shutters are essentially frames filled with either louvres or solid panels. These shutters can be folded back to reveal the window or kept closed with adjustable louvres to control light and privacy. Our collection includes wooden, composite MDF/vinyl, both available in a range of colours to match any décor, and vinyl shutters. Let's run through the different styles.

Room with dark  olive walls, low table by window with green vase with orange blossom and window dressed in white shutters, louvres open.

Full Height shutters

Living room with pale yellow-green walls, sofa and chairs with two tall windows in the background, dressed in mid-green shutters.

Full Height shutters

Full Height shutters run in one single unit from top to bottom – the "full height" of the window. They work in most rooms, but really create an impact with tall windows where you want to highlight the feature or where there's a large expanse of glass that would suit a row of shutters.

Living room with pale yellow-green walls, sofa and chairs with two tall windows in the background, dressed in mid-green shutters.

Tier on Tier shutters

Lounge with wood floor, chocolate brown leather sofa, abstract art on walls and three sets of windows on wall to rear and left, all dressed in white tier on tier shutters, with two sets top halves open.

Tier on Tier shutters

Tier on tier shutters come in upper and lower sections, which can be opened independently of each other. Use them wherever you have to balance both privacy and light needs, say in a bathroom or bedroom. They're also ideal for a home office, where the lower half can prevent prying eyes from seeing computer tech on display while the upper half can be open to allow enough light to flow in while you work.

Lounge with wood floor, chocolate brown leather sofa, abstract art on walls and three sets of windows on wall to rear and left, all dressed in white tier on tier shutters, with two sets top halves open.

Café style shutters

Dining room with three windows on a curved wall dressed in white cafe style shutters, closed with louvres open, pale blue walls, modern glass dining table with wood and metal chairs, white low sideboard.

Café style shutters

Fitted to the lower part of the window only, Café style shutters provide a great blend of privacy and light. Ideal for front-facing windows that are overlooked, to prevent passers-by from looking in while still letting in light, they've even been known to stop dogs that bark as people walk past the windows! They also add character and are a great way of creating individuality in your home, as they're often seen as being less formal than traditional shutters.

Dining room with three windows on a curved wall dressed in white cafe style shutters, closed with louvres open, pale blue walls, modern glass dining table with wood and metal chairs, white low sideboard.

Solid shutters

Bedroom with dark walls, bed with bedding in tones of brown and two windows on adjacent walls dressed in black tier on tier shutters with solid to lower half.

Solid shutters

As the name implies, Solid shutters are simply a single solid panel. You can choose to have them as full height, so the panel runs in one unit top to bottom, go tier on tier to have two solid panels, or mix and match with a louvre set. This is usually placed above the solid panel, which gives you a little more control over light, as solid shutters are an "all or nothing" style. 

Bedroom with dark walls, bed with bedding in tones of brown and two windows on adjacent walls dressed in black tier on tier shutters with solid to lower half.

Tracked shutters

Pale blue bedroom with Queen Anne style bed ad chair and two sets of doors and windows dressed in pale blue shutters, one set partially open.

Tracked shutters

Tracked shutters are mounted on a track in the floor, allowing them to slide smoothly along, making them ideal for large windows, and most popular of all - doors. This style means that the shutters can be opened and closed with ease even if they're large, and that any door can be opened and closed easily without access being restricted. You’ll often see these referred to as bi-fold shutters, as they look similar to bi-fold doors when opened.

Pale blue bedroom with Queen Anne style bed ad chair and two sets of doors and windows dressed in pale blue shutters, one set partially open.

Related Articles

Window Shutters – An energy-saving choice

How to dress patio doors

What are solid shutters: a complete guide

What is an Awning

What are Roller blinds?

Pleated blinds buying guide