The Complete Guide to Shutter Blinds | 247 Blog

Shutters are a type of window covering made from either real wood or faux wood (waterproof PVC). They feature slats, also known as louvres, which typically range between 64-89mm wide. These slats are attached to panels that sit within a frame. Each panel is hinged, allowing them to open outward providing full access to the window. The slats can be tilted using a rod, which can be either visible at the front of the shutters or hidden at the back, allowing you to control light and privacy levels . Shutter blinds are ideal for filtering light while maintaining privacy, making them a popular choice for any space. 

While both blinds and shutters serve similar purposes, they each differ in design, functionality, and aesthetics. Shutters offer a built-in, integrated look, adding architectural detail to your windows. They require a recess for fitting, and have a more permanent, custom-made feel. Blinds on the other hand, are available in a wider range of styles, colours, and patterns, making them more versatile in terms of design. 

Shutters probide excellent light control, but aren't designed to completely block out light while blinds can offer more variety in terms of blackout options. In short, shutters are an elegant, durable choice, while blinds offer more flexibility in terms of style. 

Full height shutters cover the entire window, opening like a pair of doors or bifolds, depending on the configuration. They're the most popular style in the UK, offering a sleek, modern finish with full privacy and flexible light control. Perfect for any room where you want to make a statement or keep things simple.

Tier on Tier shutters take the panels you'd see on a full height shutter and divide them into separate top and bottom sections. These sections move independently of each other, giving you greated flexibility with light and privacy. They're ideal for rooms wehre you want to adjust the slats of the top and bottom panels separately, allowing you to open up just half of the window. 

Café Style shutters cover just the bottom half of your window, leaving the top open. This style is perfect if you want to add privacy whilst still letting in plenty of natural light. Café shutters add chic, continental flair to any room and are especially popular in kitchens and dining areas.

Shutter blinds are incredible versatile and can be fitted to almost any square or rectangular window with a recess. They're also a great option for bay windows, and we have a specialist guide to help you out when measuring for bay windows. Just ensure you have at least 49.8mm of clearance for the shutter frame, especially if you have inward-opening windows, handles or vents that need to be considered.

Shutters are typically available in real wood or faux wood. Real wood shutters are more expensive but offer a luxurious, authentic feel. Faux wood shutters are a cost-effective alternative which look just as good as the real thing. Made for PVC, faux wood shutters are great for moist environments as they're waterproof and resistant to warping and cracking. As PVC is denser than wood, they also offer improved thermal benefits which can help to regulate room temperature all year round. 

Consider how the different styles of shutters - full height, tier on tier, and cafe - would suit your windows, your preferences, and your needs for light control and privacy. Cafe shutters are ideal for keeping things light and airy, while tier on tier offers greater flexibility. 

When ordering your shutters, you'll choose between a Z-frame and an L-frame.

This option creates a classic architrave look, sitting at the very front of the recess. The z-frame overlaps the recess edges, reducing the need for remedial caulking to fill any gaps. This makes z-frame shutters ideal for windows that are more than 15mm out of square. 

Shaped like a letter L, this frame can be placed anywhere inside the recess, allowign the shutters to be positioned closer to the window. It's best for windows less than 15mm out of square as any gaps between the frame and the walls of the recess will be more apparent and require caulking for a neat finish. 

The number of panels you choose depends on your window size and how you'd like them to open. All panels are hinged either to the frame - opening outwards, or to another panel working in a similar way to a bifold door. Panels can be symmetrical and open out at either side, or can all fold back to one side - this option is ideal if there isn't enough space for your shutter doors to fully open on one side of your window. 

For tier on tier and full height shutters, you have several frame style options to choose from:

All round frame

Ideal for larger windows, offering maximum structural rigidity with a full frame around all four sides of the recess.

All round with sill bar

Includes a sill-bar at the bottom rather than a piece of frame - this is a flat section whcih keeps the frame rigid without covering the window sill. 

Left, right, top

This options excludes a frame on the sill, leaving the windowsill completely unobstructed. As this reduces the rigidity of the frame we'd only recommend selecting this for small to medium widnows.

For café style shutters, the frame is chosen for you as 'Left, right, bottom', leaving the top of the shutters free.

Slat width is a key consideration based on your window's size and desired look:

64mm slats: The most popular choice, suitable for any window size.

76mm slats: Ideal for medium to large windows, offering a balanced look.

89mm slats: Best for very large windows - larger slats mean fewer slats overall, allowing more light and visibility when open. It's worth noting that our 89mm slats do protrude 15mm out from the back of the frame so may not be suitable for shallower recesses. 

A mid rail provides additional support and stability to your shutter panels. 

Optional for shutters under 1700mm: You can choose to add a mid rail for extra rigidity or aesthetics but it is not required structurally!

Required for shutters over 1700mm: Necessary to maintain structural stability and keep your shutters sturdy!

We'll automatically place the mid rail in the middle of your shutter panels, but you can customise this to align with your window transoms for a neat finish. Simply measure from the bottom of your recess to the middle of your transoms to determine the perfect mid rail position. 

Traditional shutters require drilling and sometimes caulking to install, making them a more permanent fixture. For a simpler, low-committment option, consider our no-drill Perfect Fit Shutters which are super easy to install and leave no trace! 

Shutters give you precise control over the amount of light entering a room, especially true for tier on tier shutters, helping you create the perfect ambiance at any time of day.

Slats can be adjusted easily to maintain privacy without sacrificing natural light. 

Shutters act as an extra layer of insulation, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, helping you to save on energy costs. Due to their denser material, faux wood shutters are the way to go if insulation is a priority. 

Shutters add a timeless, sophisticated touch to any room, complementing both traditional and modern interiors. 

Shutter blinds are an investment, often pricier than other types of window treatments due to their quality materials and custom fit. However, their durability, low maintenance, and timeless appeal make them a worthwile addition to any home. Plus, with a 5-year guarantee, you can be confident in your purchase. 

The cost of shutter blinds is typically calculated based on the square footage of your window (or portion of your window to be covered if opting for café style). The larger the window, the more materials are needed which increases the price. You can save upto 40% by installing shutters yourself, which is a great way to get high quality shutters without breaking the bank.

Absolutely! Shutter blinds not only enhance the look of your home, they can actually add value to your property, as well as increasing energy efficiency and boosting your home's EPC rating. They're a long-lasting, sleek solution that adds more than just style to your property. 

Before ordering, accurate measurements are key to ensuring a perfect fit. Start by checking the squareness of your window by measuring diagonally from corner to corner inside the recess. If the difference between each measurement is more than 15mm, a Z-frame is recommended, as it will cover any gaps more effectively, reducing the need for a caulking clean-up job!

For an L-frame, take measurements from wehre the shutters will sit within the recess. For a Z-frame, measure from the very front of the recess. Be mindful of any obstructions, like inward opening windows or handles. 

Measure the width and drop (or height) of the recess in three places - top, middle, and bottom for width, and left, centre, and right for drop. Pick the smallest measurement for each dimension and use these as your final measurements to order - don't make any deductions yourself, we'll take care of this to ensure the best fit! 

For detailed measuring instructions, view our shutter measuring guide. 

If you're unsure about measuring, consider our MeaSUREguard insurance. For just 10% of your order value, we'll replace your shutters free of charge if there's a measuring mistake up to the value of your original order - measing you'll only pay the difference if your new shutters need to be bigger!

Installing shutters yourself might seem daunting, but it's entirely doable, even for beginners, with the help of our step-by-step guide! You won't need specialist tools - just a screwdriver, drill, and tape measure. For best results, you might also use a spirit level, decorators caulk, and packing materials like cardboard or wedges, but these are optional. 

Start by assembling the frame, which comes pre-hinged and labelled for easy assembly. The pieces slide together and a small plastic key is tapped into each corner to hold them in place. Next, drill the frame into your recess, beginning with the top screws only partially screwed in, so you can make adjustments if needed.

Once the frame is partially secured, fit the panels. These are also labelled in sequence to make installation straightforward. Insert the panels into the frame and secure them with the provided hinge pins. Once everything is aligned and you're satisfied with the positioning, remove the panels, finish drilling the remaining holes, and fully secure the frame. Reattach the panels and finish off with decorators caulk to seal any gaps around the frame.

For complete step-by-step instructions, view our shutter fitting guide. 

Keep your shutters looking pristine is easy with a few simple tips and tricks. 

Whether you're using a cloth or a feather duster, regularly wiping your shutters will help remove the build-up of dirt and grime. Feather dusters can get right between the slats, while using a microfiber cloth can lift the dust right off them. Avoid using furniture polish or any other cleaning fluid on your shutters as this can damage the finish on your slats.

If you can't lift a stain on your shutters with your duster, use a slightly damp cloth and wipe it away gently. It may take a little time to get it totally clean, but gentle pressure means you won't run the risk of damaging the slats. Avoid spraying any water or cleaning products directly onto your shutters if they're made from real wood, as these are designed to resist warping but are not waterproof like faux wood shutters. 

For a quick spruce up, reach for your vacuum. Use the soft brush attachment and run the hoover along the slats and seams of your shutter. The vacuum should pick up any dust in an instant, leaving your shutters looking tip top. Again, don't press too hard or you could damage the slats.

If you're a perfectionist that wants sparkling shutters - use a clean, dry paintbrush to get into those hard to reach places. You can also use your paintbrush to wipe down the slats of your shutter. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush so you don't scratch the slats! 

After you've dusted, wiped, or vacuumed your shutters, going over the slats with a dryer sheet can help reduce the amount of dust settling on them! The static produced by the dryer sheet should act as a buffer to limit the dust settling on your shutters in between cleans! 

We hope this guide has helped you understand everything you need to know about shutters - from the different styles and benefits to how to measure and install them yourself. At 247 Blinds, we offer a range of shutter options to suit any home. Ready to transform your space? Explore our collection of made to measure shutters and find the perfect match for your windows.