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Café style shutters are one of the most popular types of window treatments on the market as they are an extremely versatile and practical addition to any home, not to mention attractive, sleek, and timeless looking.
In this article, we’ll explore what café style shutters are, the benefits and cons, what materials they come in, and where in the home they are most suited.
What are café style shutters?
Café style shutters, also known as half-height shutters, refer to a window treatment where only the bottom half of the window is covered, providing a flow of natural light for homes while balancing privacy at the same time.
These shutters originated in French cafés, but are now widely seen in houses across the world. They can be paired with curtains or blinds so that the top half of your windows can still be covered whenever you need.
What are the benefits of café style shutters?
There are numerous practical advantages to having café style shutters for your home beyond just their attractive and stylish aesthetic. Here are a few to consider:
Increased security and privacy
Café style shutters are a perfect way to maintain privacy in your home. They are particularly ideal if your window faces onto a pavement or busy street as they can provide increased security. To use them efficiently, tilt your shutter louvres so that your home and belongings remain hidden.
Boost natural light
Café style shutters help to maximise light when compared to other types of window fittings like curtains, and even other shutters like full height and tier-on-tier shutters. With the top half uncovered, natural light can stream through your windows at all times of the day.
Greater energy efficiency capabilities
In the long run, café style shutters can boost your home’s energy efficiency by helping to retain warmth in the winter and reduce heat in the summer. This means that you can save money on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
You can find out more about how shutters boost your energy efficiency in our recent blog.
More cost-effective
When compared with other types, café style shutters are often cheaper as they only cover the bottom half of your window, so they use less material. This makes them an ideal option for those seeking a stylish yet affordable window treatment.
Customise your height
One of the major benefits of café style shutters is that you can customise the height to fit your window depending on its size and your preferences. This means you can choose how much of your window is covered to control light and privacy to your requirements.
Increased kerb appeal
Kerb appeal refers to the attractiveness of a house when viewed from the outside of a property by a prospective buyer. Café style shutters really help bring that modern aesthetic to your home and elevate the style from an onlooker’s perspective. As a result, shutters can increase the value of your property, due to their attractive look and functionality.
Compatible with bay windows
Café style shutters for bay windows can be an excellent addition to your home. Bay windows can be extremely tricky to find the right window treatment for, however, this style can be fitted around the corners and the curves of the window. Café style shutters also offer privacy for bay windows from passersby.
What are the cons of café style shutters?
While the benefits far outweigh the negatives, there are some things you may wish to consider with café style shutters.
As they only cover a portion of your window, they don’t offer as much privacy, light, and temperature control as full height or tier-on-tier shutters. For these reasons, they can be less flexible than the above styles, with tier-on-tier shutters offering many of the same benefits but with the capability of shutting off the top half of your window.
Ultimately, when choosing the perfect shutters for your home, your choice in shutters will come down to personal preference, the purpose of your shutters, and the shape of your window.
Where are café style shutters most common?
Café style shutters are perfect for most rooms in your home but are particularly efficient for areas that are street-facing; essentially ones that require privacy and maximum light control. This may include living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, and a study.
Alternatively, they aren’t as common in bedrooms, as, with the top half uncovered, they are prone to letting in more natural light during the mornings. Due to this, they are less likely to provide a restful night’s sleep when compared to fully covered window treatments.
What materials do café style shutters use?
One material option for café style shutters is hardwood, providing a sleek and timeless appeal for your home all while balancing durability with high-level practicality and energy efficiency. Another common material includes engineered wood composite, where multiple layers of wood are bonded with intense pressure, heat, and polymer.
In areas of the home that have high humidity, like kitchens and bathrooms, it’s worth considering investing in materials that can counter moisture. Our Java range is made from durable, water-resistant ABS and can be the perfect addition to these rooms.
Café style shutters can also come in various colours depending on your preferences. In choosing us, we can offer anything from pure white to deep black walnut, and many stain colours.
Shutters that meet your everyday needs, all year round
Café style shutters aren’t only a fantastic addition for controlling light and privacy, they also offer a classic look and a continental feel to your home.
Here at Shuttercraft, we provide a range of café style shutters for homes across the UK. We offer made-to-measure window treatments of the highest quality materials to withstand the test of time. Plus, our ten-year warranty guarantees peace of mind for years to come. Regardless of whatever style you’re going for, we can assist you in finding the ideal shutters for your home.
Our team of specialists is available for all your shutter needs, from an initial consultation and quote, all the way through to installation.
