Sash windows are one of the most recognisable features of London’s period properties. From Victorian terraces and Edwardian homes to Georgian townhouses, their tall proportions and traditional design can add real character to a property. But when it comes to choosing the right window covering, sash windows can present a challenge.

You want something that provides privacy and light control without hiding the architectural features that make your windows special. Plantation shutters for sash windows offer a practical and timeless solution. Made to measure around the individual window, shutters can complement the proportions of a sash window while giving you much greater control over light and privacy.

But which style is best?

In this guide, we look at the different types of sash window shutters, how they work with different sash window configurations and what to consider when choosing shutters for your London home.

Why are shutters so well suited to sash windows?

Sash windows tend to have tall, elegant proportions, often with deep window reveals and traditional architectural detailing. A well-designed shutter can work with these features rather than covering them up. Unlike other window coverings, which can conceal a large section of the window when closed, shutters sit neatly around the window and allow you to control exactly how much of the glass is covered.

The adjustable louvres also mean you can:

  • Control the amount of natural light entering the room
  • Increase privacy without completely blocking daylight
  • Adjust the direction of sunlight
  • Keep windows open while maintaining privacy
  • Add an additional layer over the window

 

This combination makes shutters particularly appealing for street-facing London properties where privacy and natural light are both important.

 

What are the best shutters for sash windows?

There isn’t one shutter style that is right for every sash window. The best option depends on the height and width of your window, how you use the room, your privacy requirements and the appearance you’re trying to achieve. The most popular options include:

Full height shutters

Tier-on-tier shutters

Café style shutters

Let’s look at each in more detail.

 

Full height shutters for sash windows

Full height shutters cover the entire window from top to bottom. They’re one of the most popular choices for sash windows because they create a clean, uninterrupted appearance that complements the tall proportions of the window. With full height shutters, you can adjust the louvres to control light and privacy while keeping the entire window covered.

They’re particularly well suited to:

 

A hidden break or a divider rail can also be incorporated into the design, allowing the upper and lower louvres to be operated independently.

This can be particularly useful for sash windows because you can keep the lower section closed for privacy while opening the upper section to allow more daylight into the room.

 

Why choose full height shutters?

Full height shutters are a good choice if you want:

  • Full window coverage
  • Excellent privacy
  • Flexible light control
  • A simple, elegant appearance
  • A style that suits both traditional and contemporary interiors

 

They can also help emphasise the vertical proportions that make sash windows so attractive.

Tier-on-tier shutters for sash windows

Tier-on-tier shutters divide the window into two independently operated sections. The upper and lower panels can be opened or closed separately, giving you even greater flexibility. For example, you could close the bottom section to prevent people outside looking into the room while leaving the upper section open for natural light. This makes tier-on-tier shutters for sash windows particularly useful for properties where privacy is important.

They’re a popular choice for:

  • Ground-floor sash windows
  • Bedrooms
  • Living rooms
  • Street-facing properties
  • Tall Victorian and Georgian windows

 

They can also work particularly well if you regularly want to open the top and bottom sections of your sash window independently.

—> explore our wooden shutter materials

 

Café style shutters for sash windows

Café style shutters cover only part of the window, usually the lower section. They’re an excellent option if your main priority is privacy while keeping as much natural light as possible. Because the upper part of the sash window remains uncovered, daylight can enter freely while the shuttered lower section provides privacy at eye level. This can be particularly effective for:

    • Ground-floor windows
    • Front rooms facing the street
    • Kitchens
    • Dining rooms
    • Properties where maintaining maximum daylight is important

 

Café style shutters also have a charming, traditional appearance that can complement period properties particularly well.

Which shutter style is best for Victorian sash windows?

Victorian homes are particularly common across London and are often characterised by tall sash windows, high ceilings and bay windows. For a traditional Victorian property, full height shutters are often an excellent choice because they follow the vertical proportions of the original window. Tier-on-tier shutters can also work extremely well where you want independent control of the upper and lower sections. For a ground-floor Victorian property, café style shutters may be preferable if privacy is the main concern but you don’t want to reduce the amount of natural light entering the room. The important thing is to consider your design preference and the architecture of the individual property.

What about Georgian sash windows?

Georgian properties often have a more symmetrical appearance, with sash windows featuring multiple glazing bars. The clean lines of plantation shutters can complement this symmetry particularly well. Full height shutters can provide a simple, architectural appearance, while tier-on-tier shutters offer greater flexibility for larger or taller windows. When choosing shutters for a Georgian home, it’s worth considering the louvre size and colour as well as the overall shutter configuration. The aim should be to complement the original proportions of the property rather than overwhelm them.

 

Can shutters be fitted to old sash windows?

Yes. Plantation shutters can be made to measure for many different types of sash window, including older timber windows. This is particularly important in period properties because window openings aren’t always perfectly uniform.

Older homes can have:

  • Uneven reveals
  • Slightly irregular window openings
  • Different window dimensions throughout the property
  • Decorative mouldings
  • Deep or shallow recesses

 

A made-to-measure shutter is designed around the individual window rather than relying on standard sizes. A professional survey is therefore important before ordering shutters for older sash windows. Our expert surveyors can assess the window, surrounding reveal and available space before recommending the most suitable frame and panel configuration.

 

Will shutters stop my sash windows from opening?

The shutter panels and louvres will be designed to allow you to continue using your sash windows while providing privacy and light control. This is particularly useful during warmer weather. You can open the sash window to allow airflow while adjusting the shutter louvres to control sunlight and maintain privacy. For London homes, this combination can be especially useful during the summer when you want to ventilate the room without leaving the window completely exposed.

A properly designed shutter installation should take the operation of the window into consideration. The exact configuration will depend on the type of sash window, the depth of the reveal and the shutter design. This is one reason why made-to-measure shutters are important. Your shutter should be designed around the window rather than simply placed over it, however in certain cases the sash tilts may stop working. During a survey, our surveyor will look at how your sash window operates and determine the most suitable shutter arrangement.

 

Do shutters make sash windows more energy efficient?

Shutters can provide an additional layer over a window and may contribute to improved thermal comfort. During winter, closing the shutters can help reduce heat transfer through the window. During summer, adjusting the louvres can help limit direct sunlight and solar heat entering the room. For homeowners with older sash windows, shutters can therefore form part of a wider approach to improving comfort throughout the year.

 

What louvre size is best for sash windows?

Louvre size is another decision to consider. Smaller louvres can create a more traditional appearance, while larger louvres provide a more contemporary look and can allow more unobstructed light when open. The right choice depends on the proportions of your window and the style of your home. For a traditional London property, you may prefer a more classic 64mm louvre size that complements the proportions of the sash window. For a contemporary property with sash-style windows, a larger 89mm louvre may create a cleaner, more modern appearance.

What colour shutters work best with sash windows?

White shutters remain a popular choice for sash windows, particularly in traditional London properties. However, you don’t have to choose white. A painted finish can be matched or coordinated with your existing interior, including:

  • Walls
  • Skirting boards
  • Architraves
  • Window frames
  • Doors
  • Other woodwork

 

For period properties, softer whites and neutral tones can create a more sympathetic appearance, while darker or bolder colours can make the shutters a feature in their own right. The most important thing is to consider the room as a whole rather than choosing the shutter colour in isolation.

Are plantation shutters suitable for sash bay windows?

Yes. Bay windows with sash windows are another common feature of London period properties, particularly Victorian homes. Shutters can be individually made for each section of the bay, allowing the panels to follow the angles of the window. This can create a much more tailored appearance than trying to dress the entire bay with one conventional blind or curtain. For larger bays, the shutter configuration needs to be carefully planned so that the panels can open comfortably and provide access to the windows.

—-> see our bay window shutters

 

What are the benefits of shutters for sash windows?

For many homeowners, the biggest attraction is the combination of appearance and practicality.

 

Privacy : Adjustable louvres allow you to control visibility from outside without necessarily blocking all daylight.

Light control: You can alter the louvres throughout the day to control how much sunlight enters the room.

Year-round functionality: Shutters can help manage sunlight and heat in summer while providing an additional layer over windows during colder months.

Low maintenance: Unlike fabric curtains, shutters don’t require regular washing and can be cleaned with a simple duster or cloth.

Timeless appearance: A well-designed shutter can complement both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Made-to-measure fit: Each shutter can be designed around the individual dimensions and characteristics of your sash window.

 

How much do sash window shutters cost?

The cost of shutters for sash windows will depend on the size and number of windows, the material, shutter style and finish. Unusually shaped windows may also require more bespoke solutions.

Rather than choosing shutters based solely on price per window, it’s worth considering the quality of the product, the fitting and how well the shutters are designed around your individual windows. Send us some rough measurements or a professional survey can provide a much more accurate idea of what your sash windows require.

 

How to choose the right shutters for your sash windows

If you’re considering plantation shutters for sash windows, start by thinking about how you use the room. Ask yourself:

  1. 1.Do I need maximum privacy?
    Consider full height or tier-on-tier shutters.

2. Do I want to keep the upper part of the window open?
Tier-on-tier or café style shutters could be suitable.

3. Is the window street-facing?
Café style or tier-on-tier shutters can provide privacy while maintaining natural light.

4. Is the property a period home?
Consider how the louvre size, colour and panel configuration will complement the original architecture.

5. Do I want full control of light?
Full height shutters provide comprehensive coverage and flexible louvre control.

Ultimately, the best shutters are the ones that suit both your windows and the way you use your home.

 

Transform your sash windows with made-to-measure shutters

Sash windows are an important part of the character of many London homes, so choosing a window covering that complements rather than conceals them is important. Plantation shutters provide a combination of privacy, light control and timeless style while being made specifically around your individual windows. Whether you have a Victorian terrace, Georgian townhouse, Edwardian home or a more contemporary property with sash windows, the right shutter configuration can transform the appearance and functionality of the room.

At Plantation Shutters, we specialise in made-to-measure shutters for homes across London. If you’re considering shutters for your sash windows, get in touch to arrange a free measure and quote.

 

 

Frequently asked questions about sash window shutters

1. Are plantation shutters good for sash windows?

Yes. Plantation shutters can be an excellent choice for sash windows because they can be made to measure and designed to complement the tall proportions and traditional character of the window.

2.What is the best shutter style for sash windows?

Full height and tier-on-tier shutters are both popular choices. Full height provides complete coverage, while tier-on-tier allows the upper and lower sections to be operated independently. Café style is particularly useful when privacy is needed without covering the entire window.

3. Can shutters be fitted to Victorian sash windows?

Yes. Made-to-measure plantation shutters can be designed for many Victorian sash windows, including tall windows and sash bay windows.

4. Can I open my sash windows with shutters?

In many installations, yes. The shutter configuration can be designed around the way the window operates, although the exact solution will depend on the individual window.

5. Are shutters suitable for old sash windows?

Yes. Made-to-measure shutters can accommodate many older and less uniform window openings. A professional survey is recommended to assess the window and determine the most appropriate installation.

6. Do sash window shutters provide insulation?

Shutters provide an additional layer over the window and can contribute to thermal comfort. Their effect depends on the window, glazing, shutter construction and how the shutters are used.

7. Are café shutters good for sash windows?

They can be an excellent option for street-facing sash windows where you want privacy across the lower part of the window while keeping the upper section open to natural light.

8. Are shutters suitable for sash bay windows?

Yes. Individual shutter panels can be made to fit the different sections and angles of a sash bay window, creating a tailored finish.