Ash Grey Cafe Style Plantation Shutters

The slats in your shutter blinds are operated by a tilt rod, which can be fitted in two different styles.
The standard option is a centre tilt rod, positioned in the middle of each panel. This lets you angle the slats up and down with ease and creates a classic, traditional appearance.

For a more contemporary look, we also offer a hidden tilt rod upgrade for a small additional charge. This is discreetly positioned to the side, behind the slats near the hinged edge, and is naturally concealed by the panel frame. The hidden rod design provides a clearer view through the slats when they are open.

With both control options, the shutter panels themselves can also be opened inwards and folded back against the wall. If you choose the centre tilt rod, please avoid pulling the panels fully open using the rod itself, as this may cause damage. Always use the edge of the panel frame to open and close the shutters safely.

uPVC shutters are designed to be very low-maintenance.

Day to day, you only need to dust the slats regularly with a soft cloth, feather duster, or microfibre wipe. For a deeper clean, a damp cloth with mild soapy water is all that’s required, and you should avoid abrasive cleaners or strong solvents, as these may damage the painted finish.

Since they are fully waterproof, they can be safely used in kitchens and bathrooms, but it is still a good idea to wipe away any excess condensation or splashes to keep them looking fresh.

The hinges and tilt rods usually need no attention, but if they ever become stiff, a small amount of silicone spray will keep them moving freely, and screws or fixings should be checked and tightened occasionally.

You should also avoid forcing the slats beyond their natural movement, and if your shutters have a central tilt rod, always open the panels from the frame edges rather than pulling on the rod.

With this simple care, uPVC shutters will not warp, crack, or fade and should remain in excellent condition for many years.

Not every panel configuration is possible because of the size and weight of the shutter doors. For larger windows or doors, the panels need to be distributed evenly across the frame to ensure smooth operation and long-term durability. Placing all the weight on one side, or using a single oversized panel, would put excessive pressure on the frame and hinges. To prevent this and to keep your shutters looking and working their best, some panel layout options are not available.

We automatically deduct 5mm from both the width and the drop that you enter, so your shutters are manufactured to fit perfectly. You do not need to make any extra adjustments yourself. If you would like more guidance, our customer service team will be happy to help.

Please see our L frame & Z frame specifications below.

A midrail is a 61 mm horizontal support bar built into a shutter panel to add strength and stability. It also allows you to tilt the slats (louvres) above and below it independently, giving you more control over light and privacy.

Midrails are required once a shutter panel exceeds certain heights:

• One midrail is required when the overall height measurement is bigger than 1700mm.
• Two midrails are required when the overall height measurement bigger than 2500mm.

This ensures the shutters remain strong, secure, and practical to use while keeping their elegant look.

A horizontal T-post is a support bar fitted across a tier on tier shutter, dividing the upper and lower panels. It adds strength to the frame, keeps the panels aligned, and ensures smooth operation. A horizontal T-post is fitted as standard on all tier on tier shutters.

The T-post itself measures 25mm in width.

When ordering, you will need to provide the Divide Point measurement. This is the distance from the surface where the shutter will sit (the floor or the window sill) up to the centre of the T-post. This measurement determines where the split between the top and bottom panels will fall, and it should also account for any features such as handles or window transoms.

Plantation shutters are excellent for light control, but some light bleed will always be visible. This is most noticeable between the slats (louvres). Because of the way the slats overlap, the bleed is inconsistent across the drop of the shutter; some areas will show a fine glow of light, while others appear darker.

With a centre tilt rod, a small tolerance is required to accommodate the control bar, so the slats do not close quite as tightly. This can make the light bleed slightly more noticeable.

With a hidden tilt rod, the mechanism is concealed at the side of the panel. This design allows the slats to sit closer together when closed, reducing gaps and therefore reducing the amount of light bleed. Many customers choose this option for bedrooms or rooms where light dimming is especially important.

Shutters should not be used as a blackout product, they are light filtering.

Frame Types and Configurations:

• L Frame – All 4 Sides – An L frame on all four sides encloses the window completely: top, bottom, left and right, creating a full border around the recess. This style provides excellent stability and support while giving the shutters a neat, fully finished look. It is suitable for inside recess installations.
• Z Frame – All 4 Sides – A Z frame on all four sides creates a complete surround inside the recess, while also covering slight imperfections at the edges of the opening. This design gives maximum stability and a tidy, decorative finish.
• Z Frame – All 4 Sides (Bottom L Frame) – For windows with a protruding sill, the bottom section of the Z frame is replaced with an L frame profile. This allows the frame to sit neatly on the sill without clashing, while the remaining three sides retain the Z frame design.
• L Frame – Left, Right and Top – Also known as Goalpost 3T, this style runs along the left, right and top edges of the window recess while leaving the bottom open. It provides good structural support while keeping the sill clear and unobstructed.
• Z Frame – Left, Right and Top – A Z frame on the left, right and top edges of the recess creates the same goalpost-style structure, with the added benefit of the Z profile for a decorative finish and better coverage of uneven recess edges.
• L Frame – Left, Right and Bottom (Café Style) – Used for café style shutters, this frame runs along the left, right and bottom edges of the recess while leaving the top open. It is a great choice when you want a clean finish and no frame across the top of the window.
• Z Frame – Left, Right and Bottom (Bottom L Frame) – A café style variation for windows with a protruding sill, this design uses a Z frame for the sides and bottom, but replaces the bottom with an L frame so the frame sits neatly on the sill.
• L Frame – Left and Right (Café Style) – A simple two sided frame running only down the left and right sides of the recess. This minimalist option is often used for café style shutters to leave both the sill and the top edge fully open when the panels are folded back.
• Z Frame – Left and Right (Café Style) – A Z frame version of the two sided frame, positioned on the left and right edges of the recess. It combines the slim look of café style with the decorative profile of a Z frame.

Frame Options by Shutter Style:

Full Height Shutters

• L Frame: Available on all four sides, or on the left, right and top only.
• Z Frame: Available on all four sides, on all four sides with a bottom L Frame, or on the left, right and top.

Tier on Tier Shutters

• L Frame: Available on all four sides, or on the left, right and top only.
• Z Frame: Available on all four sides, on all four sides with a bottom L Frame, or on the left, right and top.

Café Style Shutters

• L Frame: Available on the left, right and bottom, or on the left and right only.
• Z Frame: Available on the left, right and bottom with a bottom L Frame, or on the left and right only.

When choosing your Shutters, consider any obstructions like inward-opening windows and handles. Installation may be affected by the Shutter style, frame type, and slat size.

Product images shown are for illustration purposes only. Whilst we aim to show most accurate representation possible, we cannot guarantee that the colour/texture/finish you see accurately portrays the true colour/texture/finish of the product due to other factors. We always suggest that you order a free sample before making a purchase to make sure that you are happy with the colour(s)/texture(s)/finish(s)/product(s). Our free samples are posted by first class on the same day.

For products qualifying for same day dispatch & free next day, please be aware that this is a production upgrade through the factory and not to be confused with a courier service. The order must be made before 11am and all products in the order must qualify for this. For any order after 11am, qualifying orders will dispatch the next working day.

Although we send all items on a next day service, due to our freight mostly being un-conveyable through the courier hub network our delivery partners ask that we allow 2 working days for any item sent by us.

To take advantage of our free promotion production upgrades, these must be selected in checkout. A delivery fee will be payable on any order under our threshold of £199.00, regardless of any free production promotion we advertise on our individual products.