Guide to Interior Shutters, selecting, measuring and fitting

Interior shutters provide a superior window covering which gives you control as to how much or how little light you allow into your room. When open, you gain full advantage of daylight. When shut, they block almost all light.

Shutters are hinged so they open inwards to allow access to the window for cleaning or for maximum light to enter the room.

They provide privacy, help with insulation and noise-reduction, add protection from weather and equally enhance the look of both modern and traditional homes.

Choice of shutter styles

There are several different interior shutter styles to accommodate the variety of window types whether a standard casement window, square bay, patio doors, traditional sash window, or, one of the more complex designs of French doors, multi-paned bays or unusual shapes.

The standard style of window easily accommodates a basic design of shutters which is formed by a set of panels to match your window layout, hinged in a 4 sided frame for ease of fitting.

The more complex styles often involve angled or curved shutters. These shutters normally require templates or detailed drawings, but with an expert helping you all the way, even the most inexperienced home improver can obtain a professional finish.

The styles of shutters allow you to choose a design to suit your need for maximum light, privacy and convenience. The options include:

Bays	Full Height	Half Height	Shapes	Top Opening	Track Mounted

• Full-height, with the option of horizontal middle rails should you require movement within independent sections.
• Top-opening, also known as tier-on-tier, providing a choice of opening sections.
• Half-height, also known as café style, which fit only a fraction of the way up a window leaving the top section fully open.

Shutters can also be made to suit bespoke shapes, allowing for curves, arches and angled designs. For wide-openings it is more likely that a Track system will be required. The shutters hang from an overhead track in order to support their weight. There may be an option to either fold these to the side via bi-folding pairs, or slide behind one another into a compact section to one end of the track.

The benefits of different louvre sizes

Shutter panels have movable horizontal slats, known as louvres, or louvre blades, that rotate to allow the louvres to open for access to light and visibility, or shut to reduce light and gain privacy.

What colour shutters are the most popular?

In the UK, most people choose silk white as the most popular colour of interior shutters. These provide a natural colour that blends well with all internal décor, particularly favourable where there is white window surround, since this avoids the need to replace them each time the room is redecorated. Other colours and wood stains are also available.

How do I measure?

For the majority of windows, measuring is straightforward. Measure the width of your window inside the recess, in three places: across the bottom, middle and top of the window. Then, measure similarly for the height. Take the smallest measurement of each to give you the width and height for calculating the cost. Shutters are generally priced in square metres, so how many panels or hinged sections you choose should not affect the overall cost.

For measuring more awkward shapes and bays, the overall width and height is normally all that is required for an initial quote. Then, any angles or curves requiring templates or detailed drawings can be achieved via expert advice from your supplier to obtain accurate measurements for a perfect, professional finish.

How easy is it to fit DIY shutters?

The actual fitting of the shutters is fairly easy as most quality shutters will be supplied ready-hinged for easy, clip-together assembly and fitting inside a 4-sided frame. The panels slot into position via drop-in hinge-pins, with ready-fitted magnet catches and frame reveal edges ensuring a secure fit with little fuss.

Any more questions?

If you have any further questions about selecting or fitting interior shutters, Homesources is happy to recommend opennshut.co.uk as their website is packed with useful advice and they have a friendly and informative helpline. Their online showroom is one of the largest in the UK and ordering online is a fast and easy process. Go to www.opennshut.co.uk.

Shutter Suppliers