Tier on tier shutters: open the top, keep the bottom closed

How the two tiers work

Each tier has its own hinged panels and its own louvres. That gives you four ways to use the window: everything open, everything closed, top open with the bottom closed, or louvres tilted on one tier and not the other. On a busy road or a ground-floor bay it means you are never choosing between light and privacy.

Tier on tier or full height

Full height shutters have one set of panels covering the whole window, often with a split tilt rod so the top and bottom louvres tilt separately. They look cleaner and cost less. Tier on tier goes further by letting the top panels open fully, which matters when you want the glass clear at the top or when you open the sash window itself. We show both at the visit and explain which your windows suit.

Windows that suit tier on tier

We most often recommend this style for:

• Sash windows, where the top and bottom sashes line up with the two tiers.
• Ground-floor bays facing the street.
• Tall windows where you want sky and light but a closed lower half.
• Sea-view rooms where the top tier opens to the view and the lower tier screens a promenade or footpath.

Materials and finishes

Tier on tier shutters are available in hardwood, MDF and waterproof ABS ranges, in painted or stained finishes. Selected shutter ranges carry a manufacturer's lifetime guarantee. We recommend waterproof ranges for bathrooms and salt-exposed seafront windows.

Measuring and lead time

The tier split has to line up with the window's own bars or meeting rail, so measuring is precise work. We do it on the free home visit, and the shutters are then made to order. Shutters usually take six to ten weeks, and we can supply temporary blinds while you wait.

Louvre size and the view

Wider louvres open up more of the view when tilted, which suits tall rooms and sea views. Narrower louvres look more traditional on a small cottage window. On tier on tier shutters the louvre size is the same on both tiers, and we show samples in two or three widths at the visit.

Frames, hinges and colours

Shutters can be fitted inside the recess on a slim frame, or outside on a larger frame where the reveal is shallow. Hinges and tilt rods come in finishes to suit the room, and painted colours can be matched to woodwork. We note all of this on the visit so the quote reflects exactly what will be fitted.

Living with two tiers

Most families end up leaving the bottom tier closed with the louvres slightly open by day, and opening the top tier fully for cleaning windows or airing the room.

Tier on tier in bedrooms and bathrooms

In a bedroom, tier on tier lets you open the top for morning light while the lower tier stays closed as you dress. In a bathroom, a waterproof range with the lower tier closed keeps privacy at the bath while the upper panels let steam and light out. Shutters do not fully black out a room, so for bedrooms that must be dark we can fit a blackout roller behind.