Shutters

The Journey

It starts with one of our blind consultants coming right to your door. Bringing with them a huge selection of blind solutions to choose from, taking the time to understand your space and what look you are trying to achieve. 

A measure check is carried as part of our specialist fitting service – this is a new chapter in custom-made blinds.

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Why basswood makes a beautiful shutter

Basswood has been used in the manufacture of premium shutters for many years. It is a genuine hardwood that combines strength and stability with relatively low weight, making it particularly well suited to fitted interior shutters.

Its fine, even grain creates a smooth surface for painted finishes while also allowing the natural character of the timber to be celebrated through stained finishes.

The result is a shutter that feels warm, substantial and authentic, with crisp lines and an elegant finish that works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Unlike synthetic alternatives, every real-wood shutter has the inherent character of a natural material. This gives our UK Basswood range a depth and quality that is difficult to reproduce using PVC or composite construction.

Shutters designed around your home

Our shutters are available in a choice of configurations, allowing us to find the right balance of appearance, daylight, privacy and practicality for every window.

 

Full-height shutters

Full-height shutters cover the entire window for a clean, elegant and beautifully proportioned appearance.

They provide excellent control over light and privacy and can incorporate a divider rail so the upper and lower louvres can be adjusted separately. Full-height shutters work particularly well on tall windows, bay windows and French doors.

Tier-on-tier shutters

Tier-on-tier shutters have separate upper and lower panels that can be opened independently.

This makes them exceptionally versatile. You can keep the lower panels closed for privacy while opening the upper panels to bring daylight into the room. They are especially effective on sash windows and street-facing rooms.

Café-style shutters

Café-style shutters cover the lower section of the window while leaving the upper section open.

They provide privacy at eye level without unnecessarily reducing natural light, making them a popular choice for living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and ground-floor bay windows.

Tracked shutters

Tracked shutters are designed for wide windows, glazed doors and larger openings.

The panels operate along a track and can fold neatly to the side when required, providing a practical and elegant solution for patio doors, French doors and extensive areas of glazing.

Shaped shutters

Because every shutter is made to measure, our wider range can accommodate many arched, angled and unusually shaped windows.

A bespoke shutter can celebrate the architecture of an unusual window rather than concealing it behind a conventional blind or curtain.

Choose your perfect louvre size

Louvres are the adjustable horizontal slats within each shutter panel. Changing their angle allows you to manage light, privacy and the view through the window throughout the day.

 

Our UK Shutters Range is available with three louvre sizes:

64mm louvres

The smallest option creates a detailed, traditional appearance. It can be particularly well suited to smaller windows and period interiors.

76mm louvres

A versatile, balanced option that complements both contemporary and traditional homes.

89mm louvres

Larger louvres create a clean, contemporary appearance, provide a more open view and allow more daylight into the room when tilted open.

Our consultant will show you samples and recommend a louvre size that suits the proportions of your windows and the style of your home.

 

 

Colours and finishes

Your shutters should feel like an integral part of your interior rather than an afterthought.

Our shutters available in a carefully selected collection of painted and stained finishes, including timeless whites, soft neutrals and natural timber tones. Selected custom-colour options may also be available for customers who would like their shutters to coordinate with existing walls, woodwork or a particular interior scheme.

Your Material Things consultant will bring current colour and finish samples to your appointment so that you can view them in your own home and in its natural light. Our UK range is available in perfect white only.

Effortless control of light and privacy

One of the greatest advantages of shutters is their flexibility.

The adjustable louvres can be tilted throughout the day to reduce glare, direct daylight into the room or prevent people outside from looking in. Depending on the chosen configuration, separate louvre sections can provide privacy across the lower part of the window while still allowing natural light to enter above.

Unlike curtains, shutters do not need to be fully open or fully closed. This makes it easy to find the right balance of daylight, privacy and comfort at different times of day.

Shutters are especially effective for street-facing rooms, home offices, television rooms and windows affected by strong direct sunlight.

Comfort throughout the seasons

When closed, a well-fitted shutter creates an additional barrier between the room and the window.

This can help reduce heat movement through the glass, making a room feel more comfortable during colder weather. In summer, adjusting or closing the louvres can help control direct sunlight and reduce unwanted heat building up inside the room.

The precise benefit will depend on the type and condition of the window, the shutter configuration and how the shutters are used, but they can form a valuable part of a considered approach to year-round comfort.

Shutters may also help soften some outside noise, although they should not be considered a substitute for acoustic glazing.

Are basswood shutters suitable for every room?

Basswood shutters are an excellent choice for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, hallways, studies, home offices and other normally dry areas of the home.

Because basswood is a genuine natural timber, it is not usually our first recommendation for bathrooms, wet rooms or spaces affected by persistent moisture and condensation.

For these rooms, Material Things can recommend a suitable moisture-resistant shutter from one of our alternative faux-wood or composite ranges.

Our consultants will assess each room individually and recommend the right material for the conditions, rather than assuming that one product is suitable for every window in the home.

Frequently asked questions

 

What are our UK shutters made from?

Our UK Shutters Range is manufactured from premium basswood. Basswood is a genuine hardwood valued for its smooth, consistent grain, strength, stability and relatively low weight.

These are real-wood shutters rather than PVC, faux-wood or bonded composite shutters.

 

Where are our shutters made?

Our UK shutters are made at New Age Shutters’ specialist manufacturing facility in West Malling, Kent.

New Age Shutters is a recognised Made in Britain member, and our UK Basswood Shutters Range provides the unusual combination of genuine basswood and British manufacture.

Our other ranges are made in various other UK manufacturing facilities and a specialist manufacturer in the Far East.

 

Aren’t most wooden shutters made overseas?

Many real-wood shutters sold in Britain are manufactured overseas and imported into the UK. A number of the shutter ranges manufactured domestically are made from PVC, faux-wood or engineered composite materials.

Our UK Range is distinctive because it is manufactured in Kent from genuine basswood hardwood.

 

How long do UK-made shutters take to manufacture?

The expected manufacturing time for our UK Shutters Range is approximately six weeks.

Timescales can change according to production schedules, the design of your shutters and any special finishing requirements. We will provide the current estimate before you place your order.

 

What warranty comes with our UK Range?

Our UK made Basswood shutters come with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Material Things will explain the applicable terms and provide the relevant warranty information with your order.

 

Are basswood shutters suitable for bathrooms?

We generally recommend basswood shutters for normally dry areas of the home.

For bathrooms, wet rooms and spaces with persistent moisture or condensation, we may recommend a moisture-resistant PVC or composite shutter instead. Your consultant will assess the room and advise you on the most appropriate material.

We now offer our UK range with a PVC frame & PVC Louvres, giving the best of all worlds in wet and humid areas. 

 

Which shutter styles are available?

Available configurations include full-height, tier-on-tier, café-style, tracked, solid-panel and shaped shutters.

The most suitable option will depend on the proportions and operation of your window, the appearance you prefer and the balance of light and privacy you require.

 

Which louvre sizes can I choose?

Our shutters are offered with 64mm, 76mm and 89mm louvres.

Smaller louvres create a more detailed and traditional appearance, while larger louvres provide a cleaner contemporary look and a more open view when tilted. We will show you the different options during your consultation.

 

Can I choose the colour of my shutters?

Yes. Our shutters are available in a selection of painted and stained finishes. Selected custom-colour options may also be available.

Your consultant can show you the current colour collection and help you select a finish that complements your room.]

However, our UK Basswood Shutters are only available in perfect white. 

 

Can shutters be fitted to bay windows?

Yes. Made-to-measure shutters are an excellent choice for many bay windows.

The panels and frames can be designed around the individual sections and angles of the bay, creating a fitted appearance that follows the architecture of the window.

 

Can shutters be made for shaped windows?

Our specialist ranges of shutters can accommodate many angled, arched and unusually shaped windows.

Feasibility will depend on the individual window and the required panel configuration, which we will assess during the consultation and detailed survey.

 

Do shutters provide complete blackout?

Standard shutters provide excellent light control but are not intended to produce complete darkness. Small amounts of light may enter around the panels, frames and closed louvres.

If a particularly dark bedroom is important, please ask about configurations that combine shutters with a specialist blackout blind.

 

Do shutters help with insulation?

A well-fitted shutter creates an additional barrier between the room and the window, which can help reduce heat movement through the glass.

The precise benefit varies according to the window, the installation and how the shutters are used.

 

Are shutters child-safe?

Shutters do not require the loose hanging operating cords associated with some traditional blinds, making them a practical choice for family homes.

Our team will explain how your chosen operating system works when the shutters are installed.

 

How do I clean basswood shutters?

Dust the louvres regularly using a soft, dry cloth, microfibre duster or suitable brush attachment.

Remove marks gently with a lightly dampened cloth and dry the surface immediately. Do not soak the timber or use abrasive pads, furniture polish or harsh chemical cleaning products.

 

Does Material Things provide measuring and installation?

Yes. Material Things provides a complete service encompassing the initial design consultation, measuring, detailed survey and professional installation.

 

How much do made-to-measure shutters cost?

The price depends on the dimensions and shape of your windows, the chosen shutter style, louvre size, finish and any special design requirements.

Following your consultation and initial measurements, we will provide a clear, tailored quotation with no obligation to proceed.

Modern bathroom with full-height white window shutters, marble-effect walls, freestanding bath, and minimalist black fittings.
Close-up of a hand adjusting white plantation-style window shutters to control light and privacy in a modern home.
White window shutters in a bright home office space, filtering natural light and adding privacy to a stylish modern interior.
Stylish living room with white plantation shutters on tall windows, filtering natural light and complementing a coastal-inspired interior.
Bright bedroom with white full-height shutters on tall windows, offering light control and privacy while complementing a warm, modern interior.
Modern kitchen with grey cabinetry and full-height white shutters on large windows, offering light control and timeless style.
White café-style plantation shutters fitted on bay windows with a built-in window seat and cushions – perfect for light control and privacy, supplied by Material Things in Hampshire.

Who Do You Trust?

farlington-signWhen you’re investing in your home, trust is everything. At Material Things, we’ve been a proud family business since 1975, built on a reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and personal service. With 50 years of experience, we’ve helped generations of customers create beautiful homes with expertly crafted furniture & bespoke window coverings. Unlike big chains, we take the time to understand your needs, offering honest advice and tailor-made solutions. Our reputation is built on word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat customers who know we deliver on our promises. When you choose Material Things, you’re choosing a team that truly cares—because for us, it’s not just business, it’s family.

Make an appointment

To hear more about our beautiful shutters range, call us on 02392 313000 for a free, at home, no obligation appointment, visit our Farlington showrooms to view the impressive range, or use our contact form below to send us a message:

 

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Energy Savings

Blinds and shutters are a proven way to save energy. They should be considered like other building energy efficiency measures and are typically low cost and can make a real difference.

You can lower your heating bills in the Winter

Stop your house from heating up in the Summer

How much can you save on your Energy bills?

In the winter, during the day when it is sunny, open blinds to benefit from the free energy from the sun and close them in the evening to provide extra insulation and reduce heat loss to save energy and money.

In summer, the process is reversed and closing the blinds during the day can stop heat building up in the room while opening them during the evening when the temperature is cooler allows some of the heat to escape.

 

New independent research by the University of Salford’s Energy House Labs has demonstrated that blinds and shutters can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 33%*.

Commissioned and funded by the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), the data shows that window blinds and shutters can have a significant positive impact on energy savings.