Tier-on-tier shutters provide a greater level of control and customisation than a full height shutter, but is there really that much to gain? At the Scottish Shutter Company, we love tier-on-tier shutters, especially when it comes to considering your privacy – here are some of our thoughts and experiences with this fantastic window privacy solution for modern homes.
Finding Private Sanctuary in a Busy World
No matter where you live these days, there’s no getting away from the rest of the human race. While the highlands do still provide more off-grid locations in Scotland than most of the British Isles, for most of us, getting a true private moment in our homes means closing them off from prying eyes.
Shutters achieve this in a defining way. Closed, they provide a solid barrier between you and the outside world, changing your windows into something pretty close to a wall. More than curtains or blinds could ever manage, shutters offer light control, sound insulation and levels of warm comfort that’s genuinely second-to-none.
The problem can be when it’s all-or-nothing. Full-height shutters, while stunning and especially suited for maintaining privacy, can be a little too good. Block out the outside world, and you also lose all of its benefits. For some discerning homeowners, full-height shutters can feel like being inside a box.
Tier-on-tier shutters provide the perfect solution, making it possible to achieve incredible levels of privacy without going all-in.
They really are the best of both worlds.
Open Tops, Closed Bottoms
The most basic form of window privacy needed comes when someone wanders past your house. You might have a ground-level townhouse, or be lucky enough to own a detached country home – only to find a footpath runs right along the side. Whether it’s neighbouring kids or somewhat nosy dogwalkers, people do peer in. The last thing you want when relaxing in your living room is to see a strange face on the other side of the glass, having a quick peek.
Tier-on-tier shutters give you the ability to close the bottom half and keep the tops open. Blocking the view for casually prying eyes, while letting the sunlight in without a problem.
All the benefits of privacy without the obvious negative of losing the light.
Open Bottoms, Closed Tops
We’ll admit, this one is a lot less used for privacy and more for deflecting glare, but there are some houses that are positioned in such a way that closing the top and opening the bottom does precisely what’s needed. Perhaps you have people in the house opposite who like to look down on you from their higher windows, or a slightly sunken home profile that puts the window in line of sight of passers-by.
Open bottoms, closed tops can work in exactly the same way as the more typical opposite – giving you the light you’re after without giving anyone a direct line of sight into your living space.
Adjustable Louvres
You can opt for full-panel solid shutters, or you can have more common louvres, and when you do, you add to your level of control. Louvres are a key component for enhancing your privacy, using angles and the natural obstruction of the slats to allow light in while making it impossible to get a proper picture of what’s going on inside.
Tier-on-tier shutters take flexibility a step further. Tier-on-tier shutters feature two separate panels – one above the other. This means you can open the top panel completely to let in natural light while keeping the bottom panel closed for privacy. The result is a perfect balance of brightness and seclusion, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere without compromising your sense of comfort.
Conversation Privacy
When we think of getting privacy from our window coverings, we think of people looking in – but it’s not just sight that breaks our personal bubble. When your conversations filter out of the window, nosy neighbours are bound to learn more about you than you might like. Here, the soundproofing qualities of shutters play an important part.
Shutters are simply better at blocking sound than any other window covering. Tier-on-tier shutters can come into their own here – not because they are more effective than full-height shutters, but simply because they can emulate the solid barrier of a full-height alternative perfectly. Close both tiers of your customisable shutters, and you’re in fully private mode, with none of your general chatter seeping outside.
Balancing Privacy and Light with Tier-on-Tier Shutters
Other window coverings force a choice between having the privacy you crave in your home and being able to enjoy the natural light streaming in from outside. Only tier-on-tier shutters give you a perfect balance, allowing you to rest comfortably in your home without concern from prying eyes.
Not only that, but tier-on-tier shutters offer all the advantages of contemporary shutters, enhancing your home with their glorious aesthetic, easy-to-maintain nature, and long-lasting durability. Tier-on-tier shutters are a solid investment in your house’s future, boosting the market value by offering a comfortable and desirable home that anyone would be keen to enjoy.
If you want to learn more about shutters and how they can turn your home into a wonderful sanctuary, blending light and privacy in a perfect mix, speak to us at the Scottish Shutter Company. Call for a consultation or download our brochure today.
