Learn About Shutters

Window shutters are a practical, stylish, and long-lasting way to enhance your home. At EM Shutters, we supply and install made-to-measure shutters across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire, helping homeowners improve privacy, light control, energy efficiency, and overall interior design.

Whether you're updating a period property in Oxford, fitting shutters in a modern home in Swindon, or dressing bay windows in Cheltenham or Reading, we offer expert advice, quality products, and professional service throughout the region.

Below, you’ll find an overview of the main shutter types we offer, including full height, café, tier-on-tier, tracked, and solid panel styles — along with tips on where each works best.

Why Choose Window Shutters?

Excellent control over light and privacy
Added insulation to reduce heat loss and manage summer heat
Timeless design that suits modern and traditional homes
Easy to clean and maintain
Custom made to fit your windows perfectly

Shutter Types

Full Height Shutters

What they are:
These shutters cover the entire window from top to bottom in a single panel, offering a clean, simple look.

Features:

Can include split tilt (independent louvre control) for top and bottom sections
Optional mid-rail for additional structure or visual balance

Best for:

Bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways
Bay windows (especially when using split tilt)
Maximising privacy and insulation

Why choose them:
Full height shutters are the most versatile option and work well in almost any room. They're especially effective for bay windows in areas like Oxford, Newbury, and Cirencester, where maintaining privacy without losing natural light is key.

Café Style Shutters

What they are:
Café shutters cover only the lower portion of the window, leaving the top open to allow light in.

Best for:

Street-facing rooms
Kitchens and dining areas
Townhouses or cottages in places like Wantage, Stroud, or Marlborough

Why choose them:
They’re a great option for rooms where you want privacy at eye level without fully covering the window.

Tier-on-Tier Shutters

What they are:
Tier-on-tier shutters have separate top and bottom panels that operate independently, giving you full flexibility throughout the day.

Best for:

Tall sash windows
Homes in heritage areas such as Burford or Bath
Spaces needing adaptable privacy and light control

Why choose them:
Tier-on-tier shutters are ideal for tall windows, but they’re not usually recommended for bay windows, as the multiple frames can make the window area feel too busy.

Tracked Shutters

What they are:
These shutters slide along a track instead of swinging open, making them perfect for wide openings or where space is limited.

Best for:

Bi-fold and patio doors
Large windows in open-plan homes
Room dividers or wardrobes in properties around Abingdon, Hungerford, or Chippenham

Why choose them:
Tracked shutters are practical and space-efficient, providing a clean look and smooth operation for larger areas.

Solid Panel Shutters

What they are:
Solid shutters are made from full panels of wood, without louvres, for complete blackout and a traditional appearance.

Best for:

Bedrooms, nurseries, and TV rooms
Period homes and cottages across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and beyond
Reducing noise and blocking out light

Why choose them:
They’re ideal for older properties or anyone looking to add warmth and heritage charm to a space.

Understanding Shutter Features: What to Know Before You Choose

Shutters can be fully customised to suit your window style, room function, and design preferences. Below are the most common shutter options and features explained in plain English, to help you make the right choice for your home.

Louvre Sizes: How Wide Should the Slats Be?

Louvres are the adjustable slats within the shutter panel that control light and privacy. At EM Shutters, we offer a range of louvre sizes, typically:

64mm (small) – Traditional look, great for small or narrow windows
76mm (medium) – Balanced look, the most popular choice
89mm (large) – Modern appearance, ideal for larger windows or open views
114mm (extra large) – Minimalist and bold, great for wide spaces or open-plan living

How to choose the right louvre size:
Smaller louvres offer more privacy and a traditional appearance, while larger louvres allow more light and visibility when open. For homes across Oxfordshire and Berkshire, 76mm or 89mm louvres are most commonly chosen for a clean, versatile look.

Tilt Operation: Central, Offset, Clearview, and Hidden Tilt

Tilt operation refers to how you control the movement of the louvres on your shutters. At EM Shutters, we offer four tilt mechanisms — each with its own visual style and level of discretion.

1. Central Tilt Rod

A vertical rod placed in the centre of each panel, connecting the louvres for manual control.

Traditional and easy to operate
Visibly positioned on the front of the panel
Ideal for classic interiors and heritage-style homes

2. Offset Tilt Rod

Similar to the central rod, but positioned slightly to the side — typically closer to the hinge edge of the panel.

Offers the same functionality
Keeps the centre of the panel visually clear
A subtle alternative for traditional homes

3. Clearview Tilt

A narrow control rod fixed to the back edge of the panel, near the hinge side. It is visible from the rear but hidden from the front when the shutters are closed.

Cleaner front-facing appearance
Still visible from behind when panels are open
A modern and discreet option for contemporary interiors

Note: Clearview tilt and hidden tilt are always different systems.

4. Hidden Tilt

This mechanism is completely concealed within the frame of the shutter. There are no visible rods from the front or back.

Sleek, minimal, and fully hidden
Ideal for clean, modern interiors
Offers the most discreet finish available

What Is a Mid-Rail?

A mid-rail is a solid horizontal bar that divides the top and bottom sections of a full-height shutter panel. It adds structural strength and allows independent control of the louvres above and below.

Benefits of a mid-rail:

Additional support for tall windows
Better control of light and privacy
Breaks up the design visually for larger panels

Many homeowners in Newbury, Swindon, or Oxford choose a mid-rail for practicality and aesthetics, especially on tall or floor-to-ceiling windows.

Split Operation (Split Tilt)

Split tilt, or split operation, refers to having separate control over the top and bottom louvres within the same shutter panel — without needing a mid-rail.

Advantages:

Flexible light and privacy control
Clean, uninterrupted panel design
Ideal for bay windows or street-facing rooms in areas like Reading, Cheltenham, or Marlborough

It gives you the benefits of a mid-rail without the visual break, making it a popular choice for modern and classic homes alike.

What Are Bi-Fold Shutter Panels?

Bi-fold shutters are panels that are hinged together and fold to the side when opened. They’re often used in:

Tracked shutter systems for wide windows or doors
Room dividers in open-plan homes
Spaces needing compact opening solutions

Best for:
Large window areas, patio doors, or wardrobes in homes across Wiltshire or Berkshire, where full swing-out panels may take up too much space.

What Is a T-Post?

A T-post is a vertical frame inside the shutter that supports multiple shutter panels across a wide window. It sits between panels and acts like a divider, similar to a window mullion.

Why use a T-post:

Supports multiple shutter panels
Helps maintain structure on wider windows
Matches your existing window layout for a seamless look

T-posts are common in large bay windows or wide flat-fronted windows in homes throughout Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Local Service Across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

We install shutters throughout:

Oxfordshire – Oxford, Bicester, Abingdon, Wantage
Berkshire – Reading, Newbury, Thatcham
Wiltshire – Swindon, Marlborough, Chippenham
Gloucestershire – Cheltenham, Cirencester, Stroud

Wherever you're based, our team offers expert advice, precise measuring, and professional installation — with a 5-year guarantee on all our shutters.

Need Help Choosing?

At EM Shutters, we guide you through all the customisation options during your free consultation. We’ll help you choose the right louvre size, tilt mechanism, and layout based on your window style and how you use the space.

Learn about Shutters