Shutters for wet rooms
Waterproof shutters: the shutter that copes with steam
Waterproof shutters are plantation shutters made from a waterproof ABS material rather than timber, so they can sit beside a bath, above a sink or close to a shower without swelling, splitting or losing their paint. They look the same as painted wooden shutters from across the room, and they are the range we recommend wherever water, steam or salt air are part of daily life.
Real wood is a beautiful material, but it moves as it takes on and gives up moisture. In a steamy room that movement shows up as sticking panels, louvres that drift out of line and paint that lifts at the joints. A waterproof range removes that problem at the source, which is why we treat it as the default for wet rooms rather than an upgrade.
Where waterproof shutters make sense
The obvious place is the family bathroom, but the same logic applies to any room where the glass regularly mists up. En-suites with no extractor, utility rooms with a tumble dryer, kitchens where the window sits behind the sink and seafront homes exposed to salt spray all benefit. On the coast, salt air is as hard on timber as steam is, and we specify waterproof ABS for many seafront properties for that reason.
- Family bathrooms and en-suites, including windows beside a bath
- Kitchen windows behind a sink or hob
- Utility rooms and boot rooms
- Seafront and exposed coastal homes
- Holiday lets where surfaces need wiping down between guests
How they compare with wooden shutters
Waterproof shutters come in the same styles as wooden ones: full height, tier on tier and café style. Café style is popular in bathrooms because it keeps the lower half of the window private while the top lets daylight in. The louvres tilt in the same way, so you can angle them upward to keep neighbours from seeing in while still getting light.
The main differences are weight and finish. A waterproof panel is usually a little heavier than the equivalent hardwood panel, so very wide single panels are sometimes split into narrower ones. The finish is painted, so if you want a stained, visible wood grain, hardwood is the better choice for a dry room elsewhere in the house.
Blinds that also cope with moisture
Shutters are not the only answer for a wet room. Aluminium and faux wood Venetians and moisture tolerant roller fabrics also handle steam and splashes, and they cost less than shutters. If budget matters more than the look of a shutter, we will show those samples alongside the waterproof range on the same visit so you can compare side by side.
Measuring and fitting
We measure on a free home consultation, check the recess for depth and square, and look at what sits near the window: taps, towel rails, tiles and window handles all affect how the frame is fixed and which way the panels fold. Tiled reveals need careful drilling, and our own fitters use the right bits and fixings so the tiles are not cracked.
Shutters usually take 6 to 10 weeks to make. If the window needs covering sooner, temporary blinds can be put up in the meantime. Our installation carries a 5-year fitting warranty, and selected shutter ranges carry a manufacturer's lifetime guarantee, which we confirm when we quote.
Keeping them clean
Because the material does not absorb water, a waterproof shutter can be wiped with a damp cloth and a mild household cleaner. Avoid abrasive pads and strong solvents, which can dull the paint. Tilting the louvres fully closed one way and then the other makes it easy to reach both faces, and a quick wipe of the frame edge after a long shower stops limescale building up.
The short version
In any room where the glass mists up, a waterproof ABS shutter is the one that will still close properly in years to come.
Shutters for wet rooms: quick answers
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