Sun-Filtered Shutters: Allowing Natural Light in Safely

Homeowners often want to balance ample natural light indoors with UV and heat protection. Specialty sun-filtering shutter options filter bright light without sacrificing beautiful daytime ambiance.

Adjustable Louvers

Adjustable louvered shutters provide customizable control over sunlight entering rooms. Louvers can be tilted open or closed as needed to filter intense direct beams while allowing indirect light inside.

Specialty Photosensitive Glass

Upgrade glass window panes behind shutters to automatically tint based on light intensity. Brands like View Glass Darken gradually filter more light when sunlight increases. Shutters enhance this effect.

Embedded UV Resins

Some vinyl and PVC shutters contain transparent UV-blocking resins molded into the material to absorb over 95% of harmful ultraviolet rays while permitting visible light transmission.

Solar Screen Mesh Insets

Install removable solar screen mesh panels into shutter frames to reduce sunlight while maintaining outward visibility. Darker shades block more light for bedrooms.

Nachtmann Architecture Light-Directing Film

Thin lightweight films applied on shutters use microscopic louvers to block UV and heat while directing daylight toward ceilings to reflect downward ambiance into rooms.

Translucent Shutters Materials

Shutters made from translucent materials like woven reed, opaque acrylics, textured polycarbonates or vinyls diffuse bright light. Brands like Northern Shutters offer these softened sun-filters.

Perforated Versions

Metal and vinyl shutters with small punched holes or laser-cut patterns allow filtered natural light to enter while protecting interior furnishings from direct sunlight damage.

Privacy Film Window Treatments

Layer light filtering and UV blocking window privacy films underneath shutters to provide additional protection. This creates a double-filtered effect without totally darkening rooms.

Plantation Jalousie Shutters

The narrow angled slats on these shutter styles provide adjustable light control similar to Venetian blinds. Jalousies made with UV-resistant vinyl or composite woods work well.

Cafe-Style Shutters

Cafe shutters covering only the lower half of windows permit sunlight through the open top portion. This balances light for brightness and privacy. Add drapes over the cafe for further control.

Sun Shade Awnings Above

Combing exterior shutters with retractable fabric awnings above windows provides flexible shading options. Awnings offer further protection from intense high-angle midday sun in summer when fully extended.

Solar Glass Films on Adjacent Windows

Reduce glare and heat on windows adjacent to shuttered ones by installing solar control window films. This provides whole-room protection and prevents extreme temperature variations.

The right combination of shutter types, materials and supplemental shading solutions can flood interior spaces with natural light safely. Discuss your particular needs with a lighting professional.