Most people who look at full height shutters want one simple thing: to shut the daylight out when they need to, and open it up again when they do not. Café style leaves the top of the window uncovered. Tier-on-tier adds a second set of panels and more hardware. Full height is the straightforward option – single panels from the sill to the top of the window – and it is the baseline our cost guide uses for every other style.
Indicative prices only. Shutter Cost indicative guide, based on published UK installer pricing (2026), supplied and fitted, including VAT. Not a quote. Updated 2026-10.
What are full height shutters?
Full height shutters are single panels that run from the bottom of the window to the top. When you open them, the whole panel swings or folds back. You can tilt the louvres for light and privacy with the panels closed, or open the panels to clear the glass completely.
Some full height shutters have a divider rail: a fixed bar across the panel that splits the louvres into an upper and lower section. That lets you tilt the top and bottom separately (for example, privacy below and more light above) while the panels still open as one. That is different from tier-on-tier, where the upper and lower panels are hinged separately and can fold open on their own. Café style covers only the lower part of the window and leaves the top uncovered.
How much do full height shutters cost?
Shutters are priced on the area they cover. A full height shutter covers the whole window, so start with the full window size. In our method, full height is the baseline: we do not add a fixed style uplift.
| Material | Indicative £ per m² (fitted) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MDF / vinyl | £250–£350 | Budget option; vinyl is often used for wet rooms. |
| Faux wood / composite | £290–£400 | Moisture resistant; heavier than hardwood. |
| Hardwood | £330–£550 | Lighter, stronger panels for wider spans; premium timbers at the top of the range. |
Indicative cost per window
| Window (width × height) | Area | MDF / vinyl | Faux wood | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small window (e.g. bathroom), 60 × 90 cm | 0.54 m² | £140–£190 | £160–£220 | £180–£300 |
| Standard window, 120 × 150 cm | 1.80 m² | £450–£630 | £520–£720 | £590–£990 |
| Large window, 180 × 150 cm | 2.70 m² | £680–£950 | £780–£1,080 | £890–£1,490 |
| Three-section bay (sections add up to 200 cm wide), 200 × 150 cm | 3.00 m² | £750–£1,050 | £870–£1,200 | £990–£1,650 |
| Patio or French doors (often tracked), 240 × 210 cm | 5.04 m² | £1,260–£1,760 | £1,460–£2,020 | £1,660–£2,770 |
Our method: shutter area × the indicative per m² range for each material, supplied and fitted, including VAT, rounded to the nearest £10. Style and window shape extras are not added. Not a quote.
Your own numbers: put the full window width and height into the cost calculator and choose full height.
Full height vs café style vs tier-on-tier
| Full height | Café style | Tier-on-tier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Whole window, single panels | Lower part only | Whole window, in two tiers |
| Privacy with daylight | Good: tilt the louvres (better with a divider rail) | Good at street level, top always open | Best: close the bottom, open the top |
| Darkening the room | Yes | No, the top is uncovered | Yes, close both tiers |
| Sash windows | Panels must open to reach the sash | Lower sash is covered, top sash clear | Well suited, each sash can open |
| Relative cost on the same window | The baseline | Usually the lowest (smaller area) | Usually the highest |
Which windows and rooms suit full height?
- Bedrooms and nurseries. Close the panels and tilt the louvres shut when you want the room darker. See bedroom shutter costs.
- Any room where you want full light control. Living rooms, studies and guest rooms where café style would leave too much glass open. See living room shutter costs.
- Windows that are overlooked from above. Full height covers the whole pane; café style does not help if neighbours look down into the room.
- Simple, square openings. Full height keeps the look clean when you do not need separate upper and lower panels.
When café or tier-on-tier is a better fit
- Café style if you mainly want privacy at street level and are happy to leave the top open for light. It covers less area, so it usually costs less on the same window.
- Tier-on-tier if you want the bottom closed and the top folded fully open (common on street-facing rooms and sash windows). Tier-on-tier tends to cost more than full height due to additional panels and hardware.
- Divider rail vs tier-on-tier. If you will mostly keep the panels closed and just want separate louvre tilt top and bottom, a full height shutter with a divider rail can do that job with less hardware than tier-on-tier.
- Bay windows work with full height; add up every section of the bay for the total area. Tier-on-tier is popular on street-facing bays with sashes.
Questions to ask at your survey
- Is the price for full height quoted separately from café style and tier-on-tier, so you can compare?
- Do you want a divider rail, and where should it sit (for example lining up with a sash meeting rail or a glazing bar)?
- Which material is it exactly, and does it suit the width of each panel?
- Are frames, trims and fitting included, and is VAT included?
Full height shutters: common questions
Are full height shutters cheaper than tier-on-tier?
Usually, yes, on the same window. Full height covers the same area, but with fewer panels and less hardware. Tier-on-tier tends to cost more because of the extra hinges and split. Ask for both prices on the same survey so you can compare.
What is a divider rail on full height shutters?
A divider rail is a fixed bar across a full height panel that splits the louvres into an upper and lower section, so you can tilt the top and bottom separately. The panels still open as one. That is different from tier-on-tier, where the upper and lower panels open independently.
Can full height shutters darken a bedroom?
Yes. Close the panels and tilt the louvres shut, and they block light much better than café style (which leaves the top uncovered). They give good light control, but not total blackout. For nurseries or shift work, some people pair shutters with a blackout blind.
Are full height shutters good for sash windows?
They work, but you have to open the panels to reach and open each sash. Tier-on-tier is often preferred for sashes because each tier can open on its own and the split can line up with the meeting rail. Café style leaves the top sash clear.
How much do full height shutters cost per window?
Full height is our baseline: the shutter covers the whole window, and we do not add a fixed style uplift. Using our indicative ranges, a standard 120 × 150 cm window (1.8 m²) works out at about £450–£630 in MDF or vinyl, £520–£720 in faux wood and £590–£990 in hardwood, supplied and fitted including VAT. Not a quote.
When should I choose café style instead of full height?
Choose café style when you mainly want privacy at street level and are happy to leave the top of the window open for light. Café covers less area, so it usually costs less on the same window, but it will not darken a bedroom.
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Other styles: Café style · Tier-on-tier · Tracked · Sash windows · Bay windows · Plantation shutters cost guide
Costs by room: Bathroom · Kitchen · Bedroom · Living room