Shutter Styles
Full height shutters
The most popular shutter style in Scotland and across the UK. Full height shutters cover your entire window from top to bottom, offering a clean, timeless appearance that suits virtually any room in your home.
Complete coverage, simple elegance
Full height shutters are exactly what the name suggests. A single panel, or set of panels, that spans the full height of your window opening. There are no gaps, no separate sections and no exposed glass. The result is a clean, uncluttered appearance that works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary homes.
This simplicity is a large part of their appeal. Because the panels run from the top of the window to the bottom, the visual effect is one of calm, ordered lines. There is nothing fussy or over-designed about them. They simply frame the window in a way that feels considered and permanent.
It is this understated quality that makes full height shutters the most popular style we install. They account for the majority of our projects across Edinburgh, Glasgow and the rest of Scotland, and it is easy to understand why. They suit almost every window shape, room type and interior style.
Whether your home is a Victorian terrace, a new build apartment or a converted farmhouse, full height shutters will look as though they were always meant to be there.
The mid-rail option
While full height shutters cover the entire window as a single unit, you can add a mid-rail to divide the louvres into two independently controlled sections. This is a subtle but useful feature that gives you far greater flexibility over light and privacy.
With a mid-rail in place, you can angle the lower louvres closed for privacy while tilting the upper louvres open to let light stream in from above. This is particularly useful in bedrooms and ground floor living rooms where passers-by might otherwise have a clear view inside.
The mid-rail is positioned at a height that suits your window. In most cases this aligns with the meeting rail of a sash window or the midpoint of a casement, but it can be placed wherever makes the most sense for how you use the room.
Adding a mid-rail does not change the overall appearance of the shutter in any significant way. It simply introduces a slim horizontal bar across the panel, giving you two zones of control rather than one.
Room darkening for bedrooms
Standard shutters allow you to close the louvres tightly, but there will always be narrow slivers of light visible between them. For most rooms this is perfectly fine. In bedrooms, however, you may want something closer to complete darkness.
Our room darkening option uses specially shaped louvres that interlock when closed, significantly reducing the amount of light that passes through. The result is a much darker room, which makes a noticeable difference during the long summer evenings that Scotland is known for.
It is worth being honest about what room darkening shutters can achieve. They will not provide the absolute pitch-black effect of a blackout roller blind, because there will always be some light bleed around the edges of the shutter frame. But for most people the level of darkness is more than sufficient for restful sleep.
Many of our customers find that room darkening shutters offer the best compromise: a beautiful window treatment that also happens to keep the bedroom comfortably dark.
Choosing the right louvre size
Full height shutters are available with five different louvre sizes, ranging from 47mm up to 114mm. The louvre size affects both the appearance and the functionality of the finished shutter, so it is worth taking a moment to consider which will work best for your windows.
Smaller louvres, such as 47mm and 63mm, create a more traditional look with finer detail. They suit smaller windows and period properties where a delicate, classic aesthetic is appropriate. Larger louvres at 89mm and 114mm offer a more contemporary feel with broader, bolder lines and a greater view through the window when open.
The most popular choice is 89mm, which strikes a balance between a modern appearance and practical light control. It works well on most standard window sizes and gives a generous view of the outside when the louvres are tilted open.
During your consultation we will bring samples of each size so you can see and feel the difference in person. It is one of those decisions that becomes much easier once you can hold the louvre in your hand and see it against your own window.
Materials to suit every home
We offer full height shutters in seven different materials, each with its own characteristics and price point. This range ensures there is always an option that suits both your home and your budget.
Our hardwood ranges, Fiji and Samoa, are crafted from premium timber and finished to an exceptionally high standard. They are ideal for period properties and for homeowners who want the warmth and depth that only real wood can provide. Java offers a similar quality in a slightly different specification, while Bermuda and Antigua provide excellent value without compromising on appearance.
For kitchens, bathrooms and other areas where moisture is a concern, Cuba is a waterproof option that resists warping and discolouration. And for a truly contemporary look, our Portchester aluminium shutters offer clean, precise lines in a material that is both lightweight and exceptionally durable.
Every material is available in a wide selection of colours and finishes, from crisp whites and soft creams through to bold statement colours and natural wood stains.
Where full height shutters work best
The honest answer is: almost everywhere. Full height shutters are the most versatile style we offer, and there are very few situations where they are not a good fit.
In living rooms they provide a refined, elegant focal point. In bedrooms they offer privacy and light control. In kitchens they bring a practical, wipe-clean surface that handles condensation and cooking splashes without complaint. In hallways and landings they add character to windows that might otherwise be overlooked.
They work equally well on standard rectangular windows, tall sash windows, wide casements and bay windows. The panels are configured to suit the proportions of each individual window, so the finished result always looks balanced and intentional.
If you are unsure which shutter style is right for your home, full height shutters are an excellent starting point. They are the style that most of our customers choose, and the one that we find ourselves recommending most often.
What Our Customers Say
"I don't often give out five stars, but this 5-star review is completely justified. Quick response, expert advice, great communication throughout, and a superb installation."
David Corbett
"The shutters and blinds are simply amazing and really dress each window so well, producing an outstanding finish to each room. The products are of such high quality and were installed with such care, attention and professionalism."
Julie Sangster, Portlethen
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