Interior shutters
Shutters are the permanent option: hinged louvered panels built into the window frame. They cost the most per window and they are the treatment clients most want to see finished on a real house before they commit.
What interior shutters are
Rigid panels of horizontal louvres, hinged to a frame that is fitted into or around the window opening. Louvres tilt for light and privacy; panels swing open for full access to the glass. Unlike fabric treatments, shutters are effectively joinery — they stay with the house and are measured and fabricated to the individual opening.
Materials
- Hardwood — lightest per panel, widest panels possible, takes paint or stain.
- Composite / MDF core — stable and affordable, heavier, painted finishes only.
- Vinyl and PVC — the humidity answer for bathrooms, laundries and above sinks.
Frames and configurations
The frame decides how the shutter reads on the wall: an L-frame sits inside the recess, a Z-frame overlaps the trim, and a bi-fold or track configuration handles wide openings and patio doors. Café-style shutters cover only the lower half of the window — a common answer for street-facing front rooms that still need daylight.
What to compare in the photos
- Louvre size against the size of the window.
- Frame style and how it meets existing trim.
- Split tilt rod, centre rod, or hidden tilt.
- Panel count and where the hinges land on wide openings.
- Colour match to trim — shutters rarely look right in a shade that almost matches.
Frequently asked questions
- What louvre size should I choose?
- Wider louvres mean fewer of them, a cleaner view out and a more contemporary look; narrower louvres look more traditional and suit small or cottage windows. Compare the same window with different louvre sizes in the photos before deciding.
- Are shutters worth the cost?
- They are the most expensive common treatment per window because they are furniture fitted to the frame. They also stay with the house, so they are the treatment most often described as a selling feature rather than a replaceable item.
- Wood, composite or vinyl shutters?
- Wood is lightest for a given panel size and takes stain. Composite and vinyl handle bathroom and kitchen humidity without warping but are heavier, which limits how wide a single panel can be.
- What is a split tilt rod?
- It divides the tilt rod so the top and bottom halves of a panel move independently — you can close the lower louvres for privacy while leaving the top open for light. Hidden tilt removes the front rod entirely.