When you’re looking at shutters for your home, you’ll come across two main types: plantation shutters and café shutters. Both look great and work well, but they’re quite different. Understanding these differences helps you pick the right one for your home.
At The VIP Shutter Co Ltd, we help families across Kent choose the perfect shutters every day. With 25 years of carpentry experience and 20 years in the shutters business, we know what works. We’re here to explain both types in simple terms, so you can make the right choice.
What Are Plantation Shutters?
Plantation shutters cover your entire window from top to bottom. They have wide slats (called louvres) that you can tilt to control light and privacy. Most plantation shutters fold back completely, giving you full access to your window when you want it.
The slats are usually between 63mm and 89mm wide. This gives them a clean, modern look that works in most homes. You can get them in different styles – some open like cupboard doors, others fold back in sections.
What Are Café Shutters?
Café shutters only cover the bottom half of your window. The top half stays uncovered. This style comes from French café windows, where people wanted privacy while sitting at tables but still wanted light from above.
These shutters typically cover about half to two-thirds of your window height. The exact height depends on your window size and what works best for your room. Like plantation shutters, café shutters have adjustable slats for light control.
Key Differences
Coverage
The biggest difference is obvious – plantation shutters cover your whole window, café shutters only cover part of it. This affects everything else about how they work and look.
With plantation shutters, you get complete control over your entire window. With café shutters, the top part of your window is always uncovered. This means you always get light from the top, but you can’t block it out completely.
Privacy Levels
Plantation shutters give you total privacy when closed. No one can see in at all. Café shutters give you privacy at eye level, which is often all you need. People walking past can’t see in, but anyone upstairs might still have a view.
For most ground floor rooms, café shutters provide enough privacy. They’re perfect for living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms where you want privacy from the street but don’t need to block out all light.
Light Control
This is where the differences really show. Plantation shutters let you control all the light coming through your window. You can block it out completely for dark rooms, or adjust the slats for perfect lighting.
Café shutters always let light in from the top. You can control the light coming through the bottom section, but the top stays bright. This gives you a nice, natural light that’s never completely blocked.
When to Choose Plantation Shutters
Bedrooms
Bedrooms often need complete darkness for good sleep. Plantation shutters can block out street lights, early morning sun, and any other light that might disturb your rest. This makes them ideal for master bedrooms, children’s rooms, and guest bedrooms.
If you work night shifts or just prefer dark rooms for sleeping, plantation shutters are the clear choice. You can make the room as dark as you need.
Bathrooms
Privacy is crucial in bathrooms. Plantation shutters give you complete privacy while still letting you control light and ventilation. They work especially well in ground floor bathrooms or any bathroom that faces neighbouring properties.
The moisture-resistant materials we use make plantation shutters perfect for bathroom conditions. They won’t warp or damage in humid conditions.
Home Offices
If you work from home, plantation shutters help reduce screen glare while maintaining privacy. You can adjust them throughout the day as the light changes, keeping your workspace comfortable.
For video calls, you can control exactly how much light comes in, ensuring you always look professional on camera.
When to Choose Café Shutters
Living Areas
Café shutters work beautifully in living rooms, especially during the day. They give you privacy from people outside while keeping rooms bright and airy. The constant light from the top section creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Many families love café shutters in living areas because they provide privacy without making rooms feel closed in. You get the best of both worlds.
Kitchens
Kitchens benefit from lots of natural light for cooking and daily tasks. Café shutters let in plenty of light while giving you privacy at worktop level. If you have kitchen windows facing neighbours, this privacy matters.
The easy-clean surface of shutters makes them practical for kitchens too. Unlike curtains or fabric blinds, they won’t absorb cooking smells or grease.
Dining Rooms
Café shutters create a lovely atmosphere in dining rooms. They provide privacy during meals while keeping the space feeling open and bright. This works especially well for family dining areas and breakfast nooks.
Style and Appearance
Traditional Homes
Both types work in traditional homes, but in different ways. Plantation shutters suit Georgian and Victorian properties where full window coverage was common. The clean lines complement period features without overwhelming them.
Café shutters work well in traditional homes that want a softer, more continental feel. They’re perfect for cottage-style properties or homes with French influences.
Modern Homes
Plantation shutters often suit modern homes better because of their clean, full coverage. They create the minimalist look that many contemporary homes aim for.
Café shutters can work in modern homes too, especially where you want to soften stark lines or create visual interest with different window heights.
Practical Considerations
Cost Differences
Café shutters typically cost less than plantation shutters because they use less material. You’re covering roughly half the window area, so material costs are lower. Installation is usually simpler too.
However, the cost difference isn’t always as big as you might expect. The frame and mechanism costs are similar for both types.
Maintenance
Both types are easy to maintain. The smooth surfaces wipe clean with a damp cloth. Café shutters might be slightly easier because there’s less surface area to clean, but the difference is minimal.
Our shutters are built to last with minimal maintenance. The high-quality materials we use from the world’s largest plantation shutter factory ensure both types stay looking good for years.
Installation
Both types need professional installation for best results. Café shutters might seem simpler, but getting the proportions right requires experience. The height needs to work with your room’s proportions and your furniture layout.
Our installation team has the carpentry background to get both types fitted perfectly. We measure carefully and advise on the best proportions for your specific windows and rooms.
Making Your Decision
Think About Your Needs
Start with what you need from your shutters. Do you need complete light control or is natural light more important? Do you need total privacy or just privacy at eye level?
Your lifestyle matters too. Shift workers might need complete darkness that only plantation shutters provide. Families with young children might prefer the constant light that café shutters offer.
Consider Your Home
Look at your home’s style and your room layouts. High ceilings often suit plantation shutters better, while café shutters can make standard height rooms feel taller.
Think about your furniture too. Will café shutters work with your window sill usage? Do you have radiators under windows that might affect shutter operation?
Professional Advice
Every home is different, and what works in one property might not work in another. That’s where our experience helps. We’ve fitted thousands of shutters across Kent and know what works in different situations.
We offer honest advice without pressure. Our goal is to help you choose shutters that you’ll love for years to come. We’ll visit your home, assess your windows, and discuss your needs before recommending the best solution.
Quality and Service
At The VIP Shutter Co Ltd, we believe in giving every customer the VIP treatment. Whether you choose plantation or café shutters, you get the same high-quality products and professional service.
Our shutters come from the world’s largest plantation shutter factory, ensuring consistent quality at competitive prices. We combine this with our local, family business approach that puts customer satisfaction first.
We’re not pushy salespeople – we’re craftsmen who want to help you make the right choice. With our carpentry background and shutters expertise, we understand both the technical and aesthetic aspects of shutter installation.
The Right Choice for You
Both plantation and café shutters are excellent choices – it just depends on what works best for your specific situation. Plantation shutters give you complete control, while café shutters offer a perfect balance of privacy and light.
The most important thing is choosing shutters that suit your lifestyle, your home, and your needs. With proper advice and professional installation, either type will enhance your home for years to come.
If you’re still unsure which type suits your home best, we’d love to help. Our friendly team can visit your property, discuss your needs, and show you examples of both types. We’ll help you make the right choice with no pressure and honest advice throughout.
