Everything you need to know about shutters by
The UK’s leading shutter experts
Trade Levels
Bronze
Small Trade Users & DIY
Enthusiasts
- Discount level = Bronze
- Easy online ordering
- Access to the information hub
Silver
Experienced Shutter Suppliers
- Discount level = Silver
- Full access to the Gateway
- Free delivery to account address
- Advice on measuring and fitting
- Priority shutter training booking
- Packaging collection available
- Quicker lead times
Gold
Complete Shutter Company
Package
- Discount level = Gold
- Full access to the Gateway
- Free delivery to account address
- Advice on measuring & fitting
- Priority shutter training booking
- Packaging collection available
- Quicker lead times
- Optional website
- Optional marketing
- Optional printing
- Optional automation
Info Hub
Browse through our info hub and access content with tips, tricks
and technical info.
- Videos
- PDF Guides
- Tech Info
Shutter Training
Pay-as-you-go
Looking for help measuring a window, then book up on a call, email some photos and Sam can advise on the best design, how to measure, what to order and how to install the shutters.
Group Training
Spend a day with Sam learning about shutters. Choose from a complete overview of the 3 main areas, design, measure and fit or pick an area you need extra help or advance training in.
1-ON-1 Training
Learn how to measure and fit in customers houses on real surveys and fittings via our local fitting business. You can get stuck in and experience exactly how we measure and install shutters with expert guidance.
Our happy trade customers
“The best thing about dealing with Opennshut is I never really feel I am out on my own, although I am running my own business. They are always a phone call away for help and advice. It’s wonderful to have another set of eyes watching your back. Gary Fisher is the logistics genie and all deliveries have been smooth to date. The great thing about Sam & Gary is that they are accomplished installers themselves with helpful advice that greatly assists me being that ‘cut above’ other companies. Its still early days yet but things are looking promising. Thanks Opennshut!”
Spencer Richley
Wimborne Shutters
“Thank you for a brilliant introduction to the world of Shutters! The 2-day session was really thorough and informative, and I’ve come away with a growing interest in providing shutters to my customers. I particularly enjoyed learning about your unique fitting style which is much neater and tidier than any method I’ve seen before. I’m looking forward to having a go with the hidden fix system and shadow tape! This theory training answered all my questions about the product and would now feel confident in selling it to my customers. Next step is coming on one of your practical courses to learn how to measure and fit bay windows as good as you! Can’t wait! P.S. the bacon sandwiches were a nice touch too!”
Peter Hull
“I spent a couple of days in Chichester with Sam Dunster and was very impressed with his obvious passion for shutters and his in-depth knowledge of the fitting process, there’s not much he doesn’t know about shutters! He has his own way of working which is very precise and uses the shadow gap fitting technique which allows for any distortions in the window recess and gives a much neater look to the finished job. I’d highly recommend Sam Dunster as a teacher and someone who knows all about the fitting of window shutters.”
Colin Cornwall
Edinburgh Shutters
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sill plate?
A sill plate is used on Deco frames or Z frames when the shutter frame needs to fit down flat onto a window sill.
The decorative part of the frame is removed providing a flat surface.
Sill plates make fitting frames easier and allow the use of Tposts.
What are LDF shutters?
LDF stands for Light Density Fibreboard and is a man-made shutter, also known as Craftwood or MDF.
Named on our website as Standard MDF (Antigua).
Are shutters energy efficient?
Shutters can assist in keeping heat in, helping to save energy and money, and can be more efficient than curtains or blinds as wood is an insulating material.
Once closed, the shutters form a solid barrier, heat is less likely to be lost from your home creating energy savings from your shutters.
During warmer months the louvres can be opened/tilted which also help reduce heat by keeping out direct sunlight, or ensuring it is angled away, to help maintain a steady temperature in your home.
Why do you supply s:craft shutters?
We choose to supply S:CRAFT shutters because in our opinion they are currently the best shutters on the market for quality, choice of frames and options.
Off set folding
The offset folding option allows you to customise the width of each shutter to suit your window layout without using Tposts.
This can affect how the shutters fold back to the sides and in some cases might prevent the shutters folding right back to the side of the recess.
If you require offset folding, please request it via the notes box on the order form.
Shutters only, no frame?
It is possible to order shutters without a frame.
There is a ‘no frame’ option on the order.
Remember the louvres protrude from the back of the shutter panel, so make sure they will not hit anything.
Concertina shutters?
Shutters that concertina are referred to as bi-folding shutters.
You can find more information on Folding within the info hub, search ‘folding’.
Generally, concertina shutters come in pairs, so can also be referred to as LL (left/left) or RR (right/right) on the website.
Sound proof shutters?
Our shutters are not designed as a soundproof solution, but they will naturally help reduce the noise in your room.
The best solution would be to use the Blackout Shutters as they will come with a honeycomb internal blind that will also provide some extra noise reduction.
What is the Shadow Gap?
The shadow gap is the secret to fitting shutters!
12mm clearance is deducted from your width and height measurements to ensure the frame fits within the recess, this provides a 6mm clearance gap or ‘shadow gap’ around the shutter frame.
The shadow acts like an infill and creates a neat finish between the wall frame:
This is important as normally recesses are not square or straight.
It is neater to leave a natural shadow than it is to fill the gap, generally filler will shrink and will not match the frame colour or wall colour, hence the natural shadow looks and provides a professional finish.
Can you fit shutters to patio doors?
Yes, you can easily fit shutters onto patio doors or French doors, simply treat them as you would a window.
You may need to:
- Remove the skirting board from the inside of the reveal.
- Cut out the frame around the skirting board.
- Use battens to create a sub frame if you have a large handles.
- Order 3 sided frames if there is not bottom threshold
- Use bi-folding shutters if the door is wide
Tiles halfway up my recess?
If you have tiles that go halfway up your window recess, there are a few options you can choose from.
- Measure the smallest width between the tiles and fit the shutters with two shadow gaps, a smaller gap between the tiles and a larger gap above the tiles.
- Customise your shutter frame by ordering a frame with a cut-out so the frame fits around the tiles. This will add to the cost of the shutter, but the shutters will look more fitted. Cutouts are only available with wooden shutters.
Are shutters suitable for the bathroom?
Yes, the Standard ABS shutters are a waterproof shutter ideal for the bathroom, kitchen or wet rooms.
They look very similar to the wooden plantation shutters and have an extremely high-quality matt finish.
The ABS shutters have wider 50mm side stiles rather than the usual 40mm, they have stainless steel hinges and ball catches rather than magnets.
Do shutters block out much light?
Shutters block out enough light to be used in bedrooms.
If you work nights and sleep during the day, we offer a blackout shutter option combining a blackout blind within the shutter frame.
This has a bespoke frame that the blind fits in, the blind is controlled by cords in the normal way, to access the cord controls just open the shutter, realise the cords and the blind will slide down a channel blocking out most of the light.
How much depth do u need to fit shutters?
Yes it is…. when you have a standard recessed window.
We have designed the easyfit shutter kit for standard recessed windows, ie windows set back from the wall with a window sill, so if you have one these then you’re in luck!
Your best bet is to watch the simple How-To videos on the DIY shutter page as these will explain the whole process showing you how to design, measure then install your shutters yourself.
Remember, if you don’t have a standard window, it is still possible to order DIY shutters and if you need some expert advice to help you get it right, start by booking up on a free 10min call.
Can shutters be opened on bay windows?
Generally, customers keep their shutters closed and just open and close the louvres to let the light in so you don’t need to worry about where the shutters fold back too.
Shutters are fitted in frames, there is normally one frame per angle or window section on your bay, shutters will hinge open within each frame section so they can’t all fold back to one side like curtains.
When you open the centre shutters on a bay window they would fold open in front of the side windows when folded back.
He is a video showing some shutters fitted in a round bay window.
Do I need a middle rail with a half height design?
No, you do not need a horizontal rail with half height shutters unless you have a feature on the window for the rail to line up with or you have high windows and you’re over the height limit.
Can shutters be opened on bay windows?
Generally, customers keep their shutters closed and just open and close the louvres to let the light in so you don’t need to worry about where the shutters fold back too.
Shutters are fitted in frames, there is normally one frame per angle or window section on your bay, shutters will hinge open within each frame section so they can’t all fold back to one side like curtains.
When you open the centre shutters on a bay window they would fold open in front of the side windows when folded back.
He is a video showing some shutters fitted in a round bay window.
Do you supply tracked shutters for a doorway?
Yes, you can fit track mounted shutters on a doorway.
Tracked shutters can be fitted windows, patio doors or used as room dividers.
This video shows how track mounted shutters are operated.