Plantation shutters can be made to fit virtually any type of window: casement, sash, tilt and turn, slider… the list goes on. They can even be fitted to non-quadrilateral shaped windows, including round, arched, triangular, hexagonal and octagonal frames, and many others besides. This 5-minute guide will take you through the various plantation shutter frame types to help you decide which one would be the best match for your windows.
Plantation shutter frame types
Square and rectangular windows
There are three main styles of shutter panel for square and rectangular windows. These include:
- Café-style – covers only the lower half of the window
- Full-height – covers the entire window
- Tier-on-tier – two independently operable shutters mounted one above the other
Depending on the size and configuration of the window, these may be made as single, individually operable panels or be hinged together to create bi- or tri-folding panels, which can be retracted and extended concertina-style to vary lighting levels.
So if you were fitting plantation shutters to a set of large bay windows, for instance, you might see several sets of bi-folding shutters fitted onto the T-posts between the window panels. Further flexibility may be added with a tier-on-tier panel style (see below, left).
For smaller and narrower windows or those featuring multiple panels, multi-panelled plantation shutters can have the adverse effect of making the space look cluttered, so single-panel shutters are often a better option (see below, right).
Similar rules apply for other square and rectangular window types, including single-hung, double-hung, casement, tilt and turn, awning, hopper, slider, sash, bow and picture windows.
Non-quadrilateral window frames
A single-panel plantation shutter can be fitted to virtually any other window frame shape, including round, sunburst, half moon, eyebrow, arched, triangular, angled, hexagonal and octagonal frames:
These are just examples of some of the more unusual plantation shutter frame types. Many shutters can be custom-made to fit virtually any window frame, no matter how unusual the shape or size.
Shutter Design creates bespoke shutters to fit any window and to complement the unique architectural features of any home, traditional or modern. Call 01423 359230 to enquire or browse our website for more information on our plantation shutters and the service that we provide.
