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If you’re looking into window treatments and considering installing shutters in your home, one question that may come up is whether or not you’ll lose light. The short answer is, it depends.
The good news is, if you’re in the market for shutters, chances are the right one for your needs does exist. Keep reading to learn about the different types of shutters available, and how each one affects light control.
Do You Lose Light with Shutters? Here’s What You Need to Know
Shutters are known for their versatile design, which typically includes adjustable slats (also called louvres) that you can tilt to control light and privacy. While they do offer great control over light, it’s true that some natural light loss occurs when shutters are closed or partially closed. However, whether you lose a great deal of light with shutters largely depends on the style, material, and colour of the shutters you choose, as well as how you position them during the day.
There are various types of shutters available, including full height shutters, café style shutters, and tier-on-tier shutters, each providing different levels of light filtration and privacy. Full-height shutters cover the entire window, which offers full control over privacy but can block more light compared to café-style shutters that only cover the lower part, leaving the top of the window unobscured. Tier-on-tier shutters allow you to open the top section while keeping the bottom tiers closed, which helps to bring in natural light while maintaining privacy.
Understanding How Shutters Affect Light
Shutters are known for their versatile design, which typically includes adjustable slats (also called louvres) that you can tilt to control light and privacy. While they do offer great control over light, it’s true that some natural light loss occurs when shutters are closed or partially closed. However, whether you lose a great deal of light with shutters largely depends on the style, material, and colour of the shutters you choose, as well as how you position them during the day.
There are various types of shutters available, including full height shutters, café style shutters, and tier-on-tier shutters, each providing different levels of light filtration and privacy. Full-height shutters cover the entire window, which offers full control over privacy but can block more light compared to café-style shutters that only cover the lower part, leaving the top of the window unobscured. Tier-on-tier shutters allow you to open the top section while keeping the bottom tiers closed, which helps to bring in natural light while maintaining privacy.
Choosing the Right Louvre Size for More Light
The size of the shutter slats (louvres) plays a significant role in how much light you lose with shutters. Larger louvres, typically 89mm or more, allow more light to flow into the room when open compared to smaller louvres, like those around 64mm. Larger louvres create bigger gaps between each slat, letting in more daylight, and can make a space feel brighter and airier. Conversely, smaller louvres have only slight gaps which tend to block more light and might be an appealing feature for rooms where light reduction may be desirable, like a bedroom or home theatre.
If preserving natural light is a top priority, choosing shutters with larger louvres might be the perfect solution. This is a great option which gives the aesthetic appeal of shutters, whilst minimising how much light they block.
Colours and Materials Matter for Essex Shutters
Another factor that affects whether you lose light with shutters is the colour and material of the shutters. Lighter-coloured shutters, like white or off-white, tend to reflect more light than darker shades, helping to keep the room feeling brighter. In contrast, darker-coloured shutters can absorb more light, which may lead to a slightly darker feel, especially in rooms with limited natural light.
The material you choose also impacts light. For example, polyvinyl shutters often block more light than wood shutters, though both options can offer excellent durability and aesthetic appeal. Wooden plantation shutters, especially when painted in a light colour, tend to soften the light they filter into the room, giving a warm, natural glow that many people find appealing.
Tips for Maximising Light with Window Shutters
Here are a few suggestions of the best ways to avoid losing too much light with shutters in your home:
- Adjust the Louvres: Keep the louvres tilted upward at a slight angle to maximise light while still maintaining privacy.
- Avoid solid panels: Solid shutter panels are a great choice for period homes, or if you require near total blackout when closed (our blackout shutters also work well for a complete blackout effect). However, they’re not the best option for maximising light.
- Go for Café-Style Shutters: In rooms where privacy is not a major concern, such as kitchens or living rooms, café-style shutters are a popular option, since they allow light to enter through the upper portion of the window.
- Opt for Lighter Colours: As mentioned, lighter-coloured shutters reflect more light. If you’re worried about shutters creating a dark room without enough light, choosing white or cream shutters can help.
- Select Larger Louvres: For rooms where brightness is essential, larger louvres will bring in more natural light when open.
Making the Most of Natural Light
To make the most of the natural light that enters your home, consider pairing your shutters with light-coloured walls and furniture. Window shutters can enhance the light in a room when paired with reflective surfaces or strategically placed mirrors that help bounce daylight around. Additionally, keep windows clean and unobstructed by removing any bulky curtains or blinds that may block light around the edges of your shutters.
Remember, shutters offer excellent flexibility when it comes to adjusting light and privacy levels, so you don’t have to worry too much about losing light. With the right choices, shutters can give you the best of both worlds—natural light and privacy.
Pros and Cons of Shutters for Light Control
Plantation shutters can provide exceptional control over the desired amount of light you let into a room, which is a significant advantage. Unlike curtains or blinds, shutters allow you to control both light and privacy without sacrificing one for the other. However, there may still be a slight reduction in light compared to an uncovered window. Whether or not you lose a lot of light with shutters will depend on your unique setup, but with careful selection, the loss can be minimised.
Of course, for some customers, light pollution is the reason they’re looking into shutters, so it’s worth keeping in mind that the beauty of shutters is their versatility – depending on the spec of the product you buy, you can achieve better light control for your personal needs. Shutter type and operable louvres mean you can choose how much or little light to allow into your room, whether that means solid shutters in place of blackout blinds, or cafe style shutters to allow in the vast majority of light.
For more in-depth insights into the benefits and drawbacks of shutters, see our guide to window shutters, it offers an excellent overview of how shutters function in different rooms and lighting conditions.
Conclusion
While it’s true that you may lose some light with shutters, there are ways to ensure your home remains bright and welcoming. By selecting the right louvre size, colour, and style, you can enjoy the aesthetic and functional benefits of shutters without sacrificing too much light. With a bit of planning, shutters can add to the comfort and style of your space, bringing a classic, elegant look while allowing you to control privacy and lighting easily.
So if you’re still wondering if you do lose light with shutters? Well, no, not really. Of course there are exceptions, but we’ll do as much as we can to help you mitigate that lose, regardless of the colour and spec you may choose.
See Resource: George Clark on controlling light with your shutters
Let’s Connect!
Ready to make your decision or need more advice to select the best shutters for your personal requirements? The Shuttertec team are happy to help. You can reach us by calling 01268 956905 or emailing hello@shuttertec.co.uk.
We’d love to hear from you!
