A Guide to the Most Popular Shutters Styles in Australia

Shutters are a classic window covering used in Australian homes for generations. But with the diversity of shutter styles now available, making the right selection for your home can get confusing. This guide covers the most popular types of interior and exterior shutters commonly found across various Australian architectural styles and regions. We’ll highlight the key characteristics, pros and cons, and typical applications of each major shutter variety.

Plantation Shutters

The quintessential and most recognizable shutter style are plantation shutters. Originating in America’s Deep South, they gained widespread Australian popularity.

Key Features:

• Constructed using horizontal slats joined together side-by-side into panels. Slats are typically 2 1⁄2 to 3 inches wide.
• Slats tilt open and closed using interior horizontal tilt rod or wand controls. Pairs can be locked closed for room darkening.
• Usually full height from floor to ceiling to maximize light control, privacy, and visual appeal.
• Made of painted wood, stained wood, composite, vinyl, aluminum, or polyresin.
• Customizable with louvers, cutouts, arches, shapes. Shutters panels also available.

Pros: Timeless versatile style. Room darkening ability. Provides light control, privacy, and insulation. Formal aesthetic.

Cons: More expensive than other styles. Limited ventilation when fully closed. Not pet/child proof.

Uses: Formal living spaces like lounge rooms, dining rooms, studies. Also ideal for bedroom windows.

Board and Batten Shutters

Sometimes called batten shutters, these are the most basic traditional shutter style:

Key Features:

• Constructed using only two main horizontal boards or planks making up the “boards”. Vertical battens cover seams.
• Typically only single panel shutters. Hinged to swing open and closed. No tilting ability.
• Often uses wider boards 5-7 inches across. Fewer boards required per shutter.
• Usually exterior but can be interior. Made of wood, composite, PVC.
• Rustic, informal look. Shutters often have deliberately visible distressing.

Pros: Very simple old-world style. Durable and low maintenance materials. Lower cost than tilt shutters.

Cons: Provides only open/closed function. No tilting ability or light control. Cannot seal as tightly.

Uses: Casual spaces seeking a farmhouse, cottage, or rustic feel. Works well on sheds, barns, and garages.

Bahama Shutters

Originating in the Caribbean, Bahama shutters have become ubiquitous across sunny coastal Australia:

Key Features:

• Hinged at the top with arms propping partially open at an angle. Unable to fully close.
• Made of sturdy wood or vinyl to withstand wind, sun, and salt spray in coastal conditions.
• Angled louvers overlap when open to block sun while allowing airflow.
• Side tension rods or hydraulic arms hold shutters at proper open angle.
• Often colorful and decorative with cutouts and hardware details like anchors.

Pros: Provides permanent shade and airflow without fully blocking views. Withstands harsh weather. Visually striking.

Cons: Won’t seal closed. Not ideal for rooms needing darkness or insulation. Takes up window space when open.

Uses: Patios, porches, decks, balconies, and anywhere high ventilation is desired like bathrooms or kitchens.

Accordion or Folding Shutters

Folding shutter panels stack pleated when open offering unique aesthetic options:

Key Features:

• Shutter “leaves” fold against each other accordion style rather than tilting or swinging open.
• Each panel attaches to the next using hinged connectors between slats.
• Opens by sliding panels along overhead track mounted above window. Stacks at one or both sides when open.
• Made of wood, ABS plastic, or heavy-duty vinyl. Colors and patterns available.
• Operated manually or by motors with remotes. Custom shapes doable.

Pros: Space saving unique look when open. Panoramic light and views. Offers privacy when closed.

Cons: Complex installation and hardware. Motors and tracks prone to malfunction over time. Span limited by panel width.

Uses: Large windows and open-concept spaces seeking unobstructed light. Also high impact decorative focal points.

Arched Window Shutters

Any style shutter can be customized to arched windows but cathedral style shutters are purpose made for arches:

Key Features:

• Slats or panels precisely cut curved to match the arched window radius.
• Compound curved shutters follow more complex variable radius window shapes.
• Hinged or tilting operation like their rectangular counterparts.
• Made of wood, vinyl, or composite using CNC routers or incremental block shaping.
• Historically accurate styles for period homes. Can match original designs.

Pros: Follows the lines of arch architecturally. Provides proper arched window coverage. Aesthetically pleasing.

Cons: Far more labor intensive to construct than standard rectangular shutters. Limited sizing adjustability.

Uses: Arched doors, windows, transoms, and accent spaces suited to arched geometric details. Common in older historic homes.

Track Guided Cafe-Style Shutters

Cafe style shutters operate by sliding horizontally suspended from an overhead track:

Key Features:

• Shutters hang from rollers that glide horizontally along a track mounted above window.
• Smooth steel ball-bearing rollers provide nearly frictionless motion when slid side-to-side.
• Clean modern slat profiles instead of louvered for uninterrupted lines when open.
• Available in a range of colored frosted, clear, and textured glass pane options within slim framing.

Pros: Sleek modern style. Fluid ease of opening movement. Expansive unobstructed views when open. Light diffusion options.

Cons: Installation of proper overhead framing and track has a learning curve. Glass prone to marking and scratching.

Uses: Contemporary homes and rooms seeking an updated streamlined, uncluttered feel. Cafe, kitchen, and bar settings.

Specialty and Novelty Shutters

Beyond main styles, some unique shutter varieties serve special functions or provide visual interest:

Security Shutters

• Heavy duty materials with anchors and locks to protect against intrusions when closed.

Storm Shutters

• Impact resistant and able to withstand high winds, flying debris. Steel or polycarbonate cores.

Movable Louver Shutters

• Horizontally stacked louvered slats rotate in unison to control light gap. Manual or motorized.

Three-Fold Patio Shutters

• Accordion-fold interior vinyl shutters can partition patios and large spans. Stack compactly open.

Plantation Panel Shutters

• Stile and rail panel shutters without louvers. Provides privacy when closed but no light control.

With these specialty options, shutters can serve functional needs beyond basic window coverage.

Conclusion

This guide provided a survey of the most prevalent shutter options found providing classic to contemporary window solutions across Australia. Our experienced team has expertise fabricating and installing all these major shutter styles using quality materials and workmanship. Contact us to help select the right variety for your home’s architecture, rooms, tastes, and needs from this diverse range of time-tested shutter styles.