Why Tracked Shutters Are the Perfect Solution for Patio Doors, Bifolds & Open-Plan Living

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When it comes to covering wide openings like patio doors, sliding doors, and bifolds, traditional window coverings often fall short — either they don’t fit properly, restrict access, or simply don’t look the part. At The ShutterShack, we specialise in elegant, functional solutions, and tracked shutters are one of the most versatile and stylish options we offer.

Whether you’re looking to enhance privacy, manage light, or define open-plan spaces, tracked shutters deliver beautifully on all fronts. Here’s why they’re such a great choice for modern homes:

Designed for Large Openings

Modern homes often feature expansive glass areas — such as bifolding doors, large patio doors, or wide sliding units — to let in natural light and create seamless indoor-outdoor flow. But covering these spaces can be tricky.

Tracked shutters are specifically crafted to span wider widths with ease. Using a smooth track system, the panels glide effortlessly, distributing the weight evenly and making operation simple, even for larger setups. This makes them ideal not just for light control, but also for maintaining easy access through your doors.

Style Meets Functionality

With options for bi-fold, by-pass, or floating track systems, tracked shutters can be tailored to your preferences and lifestyle.

  • Bi-Fold Track: Panels fold concertina-style to one or both sides. A great option when you want to open the space completely.

  • By-Pass Track: Panels slide past one another on separate tracks — perfect where folding isn't feasible due to furniture placement or space constraints.

  • Floating Track: Offers flexible stacking configurations, allowing you to move and stack panels as needed for full control over light and privacy.

This range of configuration options means tracked shutters can adapt to the needs of any home, whether you're looking for access, airflow, or privacy — or all three.

Room Divider Functionality

Tracked shutters don’t just belong on windows and doors — they’re also an incredibly smart way to divide open-plan living spaces. Whether you want to create a dedicated workspace, add privacy to a dining area, or close off a playroom, tracked shutters offer a flexible, stylish solution.

And when you want to open up the space again? Just slide the panels back and enjoy a fully open-plan layout once more.

Durable, Elegant, and Custom-Fit

Our tracked shutters are crafted from high-quality hardwood — strong, durable, and surprisingly lightweight. They come with a sleek, sophisticated finish and are available in a range of colours and custom options, ensuring they blend seamlessly into your home’s design.

At The ShutterShack, all our tracked shutters come with a 10-year hardwood manufacturer’s guarantee and a lifetime workmanship warranty, so you can enjoy peace of mind alongside premium style.

Tailored to You

We know every home is different. That’s why we offer free home surveys, where we take precise measurements and talk through your needs to create a truly tailored shutter solution.

Whether you’re considering tracked shutters for doors, large windows, or as a room divider, our expert team is here to help.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

We offer free home surveys for accurate quoting, but if you’d prefer something quicker, take advantage of our Quick Quote service by sending us photos and rough dimensions — we’ll be happy to provide a ballpark estimate to get you started.

For beautifully made, professionally installed tracked shutters in Dorset and surrounding areas, get in touch with The ShutterShack today.

👉 Book your free survey or request a quick quote

🌍 Ethically Made, Beautifully Crafted Shutters

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At The ShutterShack, we understand that when it comes to your home, every detail matters — including where your shutters come from. While we’re proud to be a British business, we also believe in sourcing the very best products, even if that means looking beyond our borders.

That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted manufacturers in China who share our values: quality, sustainability, and ethical manufacturing. And we’re confident that choosing our shutters is a decision you can feel proud of.

✅ Ethical Manufacturing You Can Trust

Our shutters are manufactured through partners who are part of the Mzuri Group — a British-founded business with over 40 years of heritage in quality window furnishings. These suppliers follow globally recognised ethical standards and are regularly audited under SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) guidelines, ensuring safe working conditions, fair labour practices, and environmental responsibility.

🌱 Sustainable, Responsible, and Built to Last

Our hardwood shutters are made from sustainably sourced timber, often harvested locally to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. The manufacturing process also uses low-emission paints and waste recycling systems, all with the goal of protecting the planet while producing exceptional products.

🛠️ 10-Year Hardwood Product Warranty + Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee

Not only are our hardwood shutters backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty, but at The ShutterShack, we go one step further: we offer a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty on all our installations. That means peace of mind for years to come.

🇬🇧 A Note on UK Manufacturing

We completely understand that some customers prefer to buy British-made where possible. While UK-manufactured shutters are available, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • They are limited to plastic or vinyl materials

  • Design options are more restricted

  • While assembled in the UK, components are typically sourced from China

  • They offer faster lead times (around 4–6 weeks)

  • In our experience, however, the quality and elegance of hardwood shutters from China are well worth the extra wait

If you’re after durable, sustainably made wooden shutters that elevate your home, we’re confident that our ethically sourced range offers unbeatable value and long-term beauty.

🏡 Supporting British Service — With Global Quality

We may source our shutters globally, but everything else is proudly British — from your first consultation to your final fitting. Our expert team manages the design, measuring, fitting, and aftercare right here in the UK. You get the best of both worlds: world-class craftsmanship and local, personal service.

In Summary — Why Choose TheShutterShack?

  • ✅ Ethically made by partners in the Mzuri Group

  • 🌿 Sustainably sourced hardwood

  • 🛠️ 10-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty

  • 🤝 Lifetime Workmanship Warranty

  • 🇬🇧 Fully British customer support and fitting

  • 💬 Honest guidance on UK vs overseas shutter options

We're here to help you make a confident, informed decision — one that aligns with your values and enhances your home for years to come.

Explore our range or get in touch at theshuttershack.co.uk to book your free consultation.

Child Safety Week 2025: Prioritising Window Blind Safety

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At The Shutter Shack, the safety of your family is our top priority. As we observe Child Safety Week 2025 (2nd–8th June), we're taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of child-safe window coverings — and why shutters are one of the safest and smartest choices for homes with young children.

Understanding the Risks

According to the Make It Safe campaign, unsecured blind cords and chains have tragically led to accidents and fatalities involving young children in the UK. These incidents can happen silently and in seconds, which is why it’s so important to ensure that all window treatments are safe by design or fitted with appropriate safety devices.

Why Shutters Are a Safe Choice for Families

Unlike many traditional blinds, shutters are completely cord-free, making them one of the safest window coverings for homes with babies, toddlers, and young children.

Here’s why shutters are a child-safe solution:

  • ✅ No cords, chains or loops
    Shutters operate with solid panels or louvres, eliminating any risk of entanglement — a key safety concern in homes with children.

  • ✅ Durable and secure
    Once fitted, shutters are fixed in place and can’t be pulled down or tangled, unlike some lightweight blinds.

  • ✅ Low maintenance and long-lasting
    Shutters are robust and easy to clean, ideal for busy family homes where durability and hygiene matter.

  • ✅ Adjustable light and privacy
    The ability to tilt louvres means you can control light and privacy without compromising on safety.

Choosing shutters gives you peace of mind without sacrificing style or functionality — and it's one of the main reasons so many families turn to The Shutter Shack for their window dressing needs.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

As proud members of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), we strictly follow the Make It Safe guidelines and only offer products that comply with the latest child safety regulations. Whether you're opting for shutters, cordless blinds, or motorised solutions, every option we install is chosen with your family’s safety in mind.

Visit our dedicated Child Safe page for more information about our safe window treatments and advice on maintaining a child-friendly home environment.

Going Beyond Products

Even if you're not ready to replace existing blinds, there are still important steps you can take:

  • Install safety devices such as cleats or tensioners

  • Keep cords well out of reach

  • Move furniture away from windows to prevent climbing

  • Regularly inspect all window coverings for wear or damage

As we mark Child Safety Week 2025, we encourage all parents and caregivers to consider the safety of their window treatments — and to explore shutters as a beautiful, functional, and family-safe alternative. At The Shutter Shack, we're proud to support safer homes with products that meet the highest safety and design standards.

Want to know more?
Browse our Child Safe collection, or get in touch with our team for a free survey.

The Complete Guide to Bay Window Shutters

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Stylish, Practical & Custom-Made for Your Home

Bay windows are one of the most distinctive and attractive architectural features in many UK homes. Whether you have a splayed bay, box bay or curved bay, this elegant window style adds space, character and floods your home with natural light. But when it comes to dressing bay windows, standard curtains or blinds often fall short.

That’s where bay window shutters come in — providing a tailored, timeless, and incredibly functional solution.

Why Are Bay Window Shutters So Popular?

Bay window shutters are rapidly becoming the go-to choice for homeowners across the UK. Here’s why:

✅ Made-to-Measure Fit

Every shutter is custom-made to the exact dimensions of your bay, no matter how unique the angles. This ensures a flawless, built-in finish that enhances the natural shape of your window.

✅ Elegant from Every Angle

Because shutters are designed to fit snugly within the frame, they don’t crowd your space like bulky curtains. They’re sleek, minimal, and look just as impressive from the outside as they do from within.

✅ Light and Privacy Control

Bay window shutters allow you to enjoy full privacy without compromising natural light. Simply tilt the louvres to suit your needs — ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and street-facing properties.

✅ Insulation Benefits

Shutters act as a barrier between your home and the outside, helping to reduce drafts in winter and keep rooms cooler in summer — making your bay both beautiful and energy efficient.

Best Shutter Styles for Bay Windows

Bay windows come in all shapes and sizes — and so do our shutters. Here are the most popular styles for bay windows:

Full Height Shutters

Classic and clean, these shutters run from top to bottom of each panel and offer brilliant light and privacy control. Add a mid-rail or hidden split for extra flexibility.

Tier-on-Tier Shutters

Want even more control? Tier-on-tier shutters have independently opening top and bottom panels — ideal for maximising light while keeping the lower section closed for privacy.

Café Style Shutters

These half-height shutters cover only the bottom part of the window, allowing full daylight in from above — great for kitchens, dining areas, or creating a relaxed, informal look.

Solid Panel Shutters

Solid shutters are perfect for bedrooms or period properties, offering a more traditional feel and maximum privacy when closed.

Can You Have Shutters on a Curved or Splayed Bay Window?

Absolutely. At The ShutterShack, our shutters are made-to-measure and designed to follow the exact curve or angle of your window. We specialise in crafting shutters for:

  • Curved Bay Windows

  • Angled or Splayed Bays

  • Box Bays

  • Multi-faceted Bays

We use precise templating and expert fitting techniques to ensure a smooth, polished finish.

What Colours and Finishes Are Available?

We offer a wide range of painted and stained finishes to match your décor and window frames. From crisp Pure White and soft neutrals to rich wood tones, you’ll be able to choose a finish that complements your room perfectly.

Need help choosing? We bring our full range of samples to every home survey.

What Are Bay Window Shutters Made From?

Our shutters come in a range of materials to suit your needs and budget:

  • Hardwood Shutters – Elegant, natural and strong

  • Composite Shutters – Moisture-resistant and ideal for kitchens or bathrooms

  • Waterproof Faux Wood – Durable and low maintenance

  • Craftwood Shutters - Entry-level (MDF) shutters without compromising on overall aesthetic.

Professional Bay Window Shutter Installation

We take care of everything — from initial consultation and measuring, to expert installation. Our local specialists work with all types of bay windows, and will guide you through the process to make sure your shutters not only fit perfectly, but look amazing too.

Quality That Lasts – Backed by Our Industry-Leading Warranties

When you invest in shutters from The ShutterShack, you're choosing premium quality and complete peace of mind.

  • 10-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty on all of our hardwood shutters — your assurance that they’re built to last, made from high-grade materials that stand the test of time.

  • Lifetime Workmanship Warranty – Every shutter is expertly installed and we stand by our craftsmanship for life. Should any issue arise due to the way your shutters have been fitted, we’ll make it right. Terms and Conditions apply.

It’s just one more way we make sure you feel confident in your investment — now and for years to come.

Get a Quick Quote or Book Your Free Home Survey

We offer two ways to get started:

  • Free Home Survey – We’ll visit at a time that suits you, take accurate measurements, show you samples, and talk through your options.

  • Quick Quote – Already have your window measurements? Send them over and we’ll give you a no-obligation estimate.

Transform Your Bay Window with Beautiful Bespoke Shutters

Bay window shutters are more than just a window covering — they’re a design statement. Whether you want to improve insulation, gain privacy, or simply add elegance to your space, shutters are the ideal solution.

📞 Contact The ShutterShack today to find out more or book your free home visit.

Research demonstrates that Shutters are the Most Energy Efficient Window Covering

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GET PLANTATION SHUTTERS TO KEEP YOU WARM THIS WINTER.

As well as giving a stunning elegant look to your room, interior shutters add an effective layer of insulation to your home. In fact, this is their primary purpose in life!

Plantation shutters first appeared in ancient Greece to protect properties from weather hazards and regulate the temperature inside the home. They since spread all over Europe and comprehensive research has evidenced the excellent capabilities of shutters as temperature regulators. They keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

As such, shutters can noticeably reduce your energy bills by reducing heat loss, controlling heat gain and making your home more energy efficient. A project funded by the Climate Challenge Fund evidenced this by concluding that shutters could ‘dramatically reduce energy bills’. The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust (EWHT) used thermal imaging cameras to show the most effective ways to avoid heat loss and save energy. They established that windows with the shutters closed showed up in the images in a deep blue colour, demonstrating little heat loss.

Plantation shutters are energy efficient

Figure 1 Source: EDINBURGH WORLD HERITAGE Energy Efficiency Guide

The United Nations RENFORUS (Renewable Energy Futures for UNESCO sites) also endorsed the results of the EWHT project; wooden shutters, amongst other things, can greatly improve the energy efficiency of traditional and historic homes, ‘enabling them to contribute to local and national carbon reduction targets.’

Research by the Glasgow Caledonian University was conducted to identify the effectiveness of the various heat loss reduction options. They tested a series of measures on a single glazed box sash window (which had been draught proofed).

It concluded that ‘secondary glazing was the most effective overall option, as it reduced heat loss through the window by 63%. Timber shutters are the most effective option of the traditional methods, reducing heat loss by 51%; Insulating the panels of the shutters further reduced heat loss by 60%;  Curtains reduced heat loss by 14%; a Victorian roller blind reduced heat loss by 28%; a modern roller blind reduced heat loss by 22%.’

Research further demonstrated that fitting shutters improved the U-Value from 4.3 W/m²K to 2.2 W/m²K.

The combination of secondary glazing and shutters reduced heat loss by 75% and reduced the U-Value to 1.1 W/m²K.

With such compelling results, it is a no brainer. Whether you already have double glazing or not, shutters are definitely the way forward to make your home more energy efficient and save on your bills. As an added bonus, shutters will give your rooms a stunning makeover, add value to your house, increase privacy and security, reduce noise, save space and offer great versatility with ventilation and light control.

Save on energy bills with plantation shutters

Figure 2 Source: Thermal Performance of Traditional Windows, by Paul Baker, Glasgow Caledonian University, for Historic Scotland.

Interior Wooden shutters are the most energy efficient window covering

 Figure 3 Source: Thermal Performance of Traditional Windows, by Paul Baker, Glasgow Caledonian University, for Historic Scotland.

References

BS EN ISO 8990:1996, Thermal insulation. Determination of steady-state thermal transmission properties. Calibrated and guarded hot box, BSI, ISBN 0 580 26826 8 [6] BS EN ISO 12567-1:2000,

Thermal performance of windows and doors. Determination of thermal transmittance by hot box method. Complete windows and doors, BSI, ISBN 0 580 36028 8

http://www.ewht.org.uk/news/109/102/Thermal-imaging-survey-reveals-close-your-shutters

http://www.ewht.org.uk/uploads/downloads/Energy%20Efficiency%20Guidebook%20Final.pdf

http://www.renforus.net/

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/gcu-technical-_thermal-efficiency-traditional-windows.pdf

https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/your-home/saving-energy