Window Shutters: A Buyer’s Guide

Window shutters don’t just look great — they’re also an affordable, practical way to improve the insulation, airflow, temperature control and privacy of your home! Plus, with their clean, stylish appearance and range of practical benefits, a well-installed set of shutters is a great way to boost your home’s value! 

But with so many types of shutters available, how do you choose the best option for your home? 

We’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the main types of window shutters and help you find the right fit for your space. Read on!

Types of interior window shutters

installing plantation shutter

Indoor shutters combine the flexibility and usability of blinds with the enhanced UV protection, privacy and light control of awnings. When it comes to adding a set of shutters to your interior windows, we recommend installing a set of stylish plantation shutters in your home. 

Plantation shutters have been a staple of homes across the world for centuries. Originating in 18th century America, plantation shutters were designed with wider louvres to improve air circulation indoors. This was essential during sweltering summers in the American South where plantation shutters were popularised. 

With their wide louvres and classic, timeless design, plantation shutters are still used to this day. Fully-closed plantation shutters block light and heat while protecting indoor areas from harsh UV rays and intense sunlight. They’re a great addition to coastal areas, as a closed set of shutters can help prevent cold winter chills from entering your home. 

When fully opened, plantation shutters provide optimal airflow and sunlight. They can also be adjusted with different openings, giving you excellent light and air control. 

Interior plantation shutters are available in two materials — Fusion Plus and timber. Occasionally, we use external aluminium shutters internally if extra wide panels are required or the colour black is requested. Let’s take a look at how a set of Fusion Plus or timber plantation shutters can improve your space. 

Fusion Plus plantation shutters

Fusion Plus plantation shutters

Our most advanced type of shutters, Fusion Plus is an innovative material made from a sophisticated carbon and glass composite. Fusion Plus shutters combine the classic elegance of painted timber with improved durability and insulation to deliver a superior window covering. 

Available in a huge range of colours and sizes, these long-lasting types of shutters have a classic timber-look appearance that makes them as attractive as timber shutters. Unlike timber shutters, Fusion Plus is a flame-retardant and moisture-resistant material perfect for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. Plus, Fusion Plus shutters provide up to 70% more insulation than timber, making them a great choice for boiling hot summers and coastal settings. 

We recommend Fusion Plus shutters for every room of your home, especially for windows with unconventional designs. Thanks to its versatile materials, Fusion Plus shutters can be cut and customised to suit a range of shapes and sizes including octagonal windows, round windows and more. 

Take a look at the full range of benefits of adding a set of Fusion Plus shutters to your home. 

Timber plantation shutters 

Timber shutters were popularised thanks to their look, feel and the variety of stains and custom finishes available. Their sturdy Basswood construction makes them resistant to warping — however, they lack the convenience, durability and moisture resistance of Fusion Plus

Timber shutters flatter a range of decors but are best suited for dry areas like bedrooms and living rooms. Because of this, we don’t recommend installing timber shutters in bathrooms, laundries or kitchens. While they provide more temperature control and airflow than standard blinds, they can’t provide the same level of insulation and durability as Fusion Plus. 

What are the best types of interior window shutters? 

When choosing the best types of interior window shutters, it’s important to consider value, durability and style. With their chic look, advanced materials and exceptional long-term performance, the best types of interior window shutters are plantation shutters made with advanced Fusion Plus materials. A set of Fusion Plus plantation shutters won’t just look great — they’ll also enhance the comfort of your space and can even increase the value of your home, as durable plantation shutters are a desirable window covering for home buyers. 

Plus, Fusion Plus plantation shutters can easily be repainted to refresh their look and are significantly easier to repair than standard blinds and timber shutters. This makes them a great choice for families with kids or anyone looking for long-lasting durability. 

For modern Australian homes, we recommend Fusion Plus for your next set of shutters

Types of window shutters for sliding doors

 measuring sliding door

While many homeowners think that only blinds or curtains can be used with sliding doors, there are many types of shutters available for sliding doors that won’t compromise the convenience and accessibility of your space. 

Sliding door shutters can be installed on the interior or exterior of your door to provide improved insulation, light control and style. A set of sliding door shutters increases the amount of privacy in your space without making it harder to walk between indoor and outdoor areas. They’ll also enhance the look and feel of your space, giving it a stylish, modern appearance without having to pay for costly renovations. 

Fusion Plus or timber plantation shutters are available for the interior of your sliding doors, with aluminium shutters available for the exterior.

Types of window shutters for outdoor areas  

aluminium shutters

Aluminium plantation shutters are a reliable choice for outdoor areas and feature a metallic construction suitable for decks, patios and exterior windows. They’re also durable and can withstand harsh sunlight, rain and strong winds. 

However, we don’t recommend aluminium shutters for indoor use. While aluminium shutters are suitable outdoors, their metallic appearance makes them less aesthetically pleasing than Fusion Plus and timber shutters for interior settings. They also provide inferior insulation compared to Fusion Plus plantation shutters.

Find the right types of window shutters for every room with Blinds-N-Shutters

Looking to add a set of shutters to your home? With over 80 years of combined experience across our team, we’ll make sure you receive the perfect installation for your new shutters

With our stylish, durable Fusion Plus shutters, we’ll help you find the right fit for your windows. We provide fast, convenient and obligation-free measure and quotes — plus, we can provide samples of our materials using our convenient mobile showroom, available on request. 

Enhance your home with a set of window shutters from our team — contact us today! 

Get in touch for an obligation-free measure and quote today