Tier-on-Tier Shutters

Tier-on-tier shutters cover the full window but divide the panels into independent upper and lower sections, so you can keep the lower panels closed for privacy while opening the top for daylight.

Book a Free Shutter Survey Call 01223 756519

How tier-on-tier shutters work

Tier-on-tier shutters cover the full window, but each panel is divided into an upper and a lower section, hinged separately. The top tier and the bottom tier open independently, and each section also has its own adjustable louvres.

That extra movement is the reason to choose them. You can keep the lower panels closed for privacy from the street while folding the upper panels right back to let daylight and sky in, then change the arrangement as the day goes on.

Light and privacy

Tier-on-tier gives you three levels of control: tilting the louvres, opening the top tier, and opening the whole window. In a street-facing front room, most people keep the lower tier closed with the louvres angled and open the top. Closed fully, the shutters cut out much of the light, but they are not blackout, as light will still pass between the louvres and around the panel edges.

Materials

Tier-on-tier is available in hardwood, faux-wood and waterproof ranges. Because there are more panels and hinges than on a full height design, material choice also affects how the finished shutter looks and feels in use. We show you samples of each at the survey.

The window

Tier-on-tier is at its best on taller windows, sash windows and bays, where the split between the tiers can line up with the window's natural horizontal line, such as the meeting rail of a sash. On a small or narrow window, splitting the panels adds hardware without much practical benefit, and full height is usually the neater answer.

There is a trade-off on wide windows. More sections means more hinges and more panels to fold, and each tier needs space to fold back. On a wide or complex window, we design the panel count carefully and will tell you if a simpler layout would work better day to day.

Made to measure and fitting

Every tier-on-tier shutter is built to your survey measurements, with the tier split, panel layout and folding positions agreed before manufacture. Our fitters install the frame, hang and align both tiers and check that every panel and louvre moves freely. Book a free shutter survey and we will show you how tier-on-tier would work on your windows.

Kitchens & bathrooms: Moisture-suitable ranges available for selected rooms

Honest suitability

Is it right for your window?

Every recommendation comes with a reason. Where something else would serve you better, we say so — and suggest what to consider instead.

Where this works well

Street-facing ground-floor rooms Recommended
Keep the lower tier closed for privacy and open the top tier for daylight.
Tall sash windows Recommended
The split between tiers can line up with the meeting rail, following the window's own lines.
Bay windows
Gives street-level privacy in a prominent front bay while keeping the upper panes open.
Worth knowing: Each section of the bay needs its own layout and folding space.
Wide windows With conditions
Possible, with careful panel design.
Worth knowing: More tiers means more hinged sections to fold, so we plan the panel count and folding space carefully.

Where we’d suggest something else

Small or narrow windows
Why: Splitting a small panel adds hinges and hardware without much practical gain.
The limitation: Limited benefit over a single panel.
Consider instead: Full height shutters
Bedrooms that must be dark
Why: Light passes between the louvres and around the tiers, even when closed.
The limitation: Tier-on-tier shutters are not blackout.
Consider instead: Blackout blinds

Materials and finishes

Hampton faux-wood shutters

Hampton is a faux-wood (HSPVC) shutter handcrafted in the UK. Its 100% waterproof composition makes it well suited to kitchens and bathrooms. It is offered with 63mm, 76mm or 89mm louvres in Full Height, Tier-on-Tier, Café Style and Bay styles, and Hampton shutters carry a 10-year manufacturer's warranty. These details apply to Hampton only; other ranges have their own specifications, which we confirm with your quotation.

Hardwood

Genuine timber with a natural grain, available painted or stained on selected ranges. Hardwood is the traditional choice for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms, but it is not the material we would suggest for rooms that regularly get wet or steamy.

Faux-wood (HSPVC)

A solid engineered material with a painted finish designed to look like timber. Faux-wood is tolerant of moisture and easy to wipe clean, which makes it a practical choice for kitchens, bathrooms and busy family rooms.

Waterproof vinyl

Some ranges use a waterproof vinyl construction intended for high-humidity rooms. Suitability for a shower room or a window that gets splashed is range specific, so we confirm it against the actual window.

Colours, louvres and frames

Colours, louvre widths, frame styles and hinge colours vary from range to range. We bring samples to your survey, and you can also see finishes at our showroom in Soham (call ahead to check what is on display).

Operation and hardware

Tilting the louvres

Most louvred shutters use a tilt rod to angle the louvres together. The traditional option is a rod on the front of the panel; an offset rod sits to one side for a clearer view; and on selected ranges a concealed mechanism hidden on the edge of the louvres removes the visible rod altogether.

Split louvre control

Where the design includes a midrail, the louvres above and below can often be tilted separately, so you can angle the lower louvres for privacy and open the upper ones for light.

Panels and hinges

Panels are hinged to the shutter frame and fold back to clear the window. The number of panels, which way they open and where they fold to are agreed at the survey so they clear handles and furniture.

Independent tiers

The upper and lower panels open on their own hinges, so you can fold back the top tier while the bottom tier stays closed, or open both together.

Child safety

Shutters are operated by hand and have no cords or chains, so there are no looped cords to manage. As with any hinged panel or furniture, adults should open and close the panels and keep small fingers clear of the hinges.

Compared with the alternatives

Full height shutters

Full height panels open as one piece. With a midrail and split louvre control you still get some privacy flexibility, with fewer hinges and a cleaner look.

Café style shutters

Café shutters cover only the lower part of the window. Tier-on-tier gives you café-style privacy when you want it and full coverage when you close the top tier.

Bay window shutters

If your window is a bay, the bay page explains how tier-on-tier and other layouts are planned around its angles and handles.

Related options

Related advice

Questions we get asked

What is the difference between tier-on-tier and full height shutters?

Tier-on-tier panels are split into upper and lower sections that open independently. Full height panels open as one piece, although the louvres can often be tilted separately above and below a midrail.

Tier-on-tier or café style?

Café shutters cover only the lower part of the window. Tier-on-tier gives you the same lower-window privacy when you want it, plus full coverage when you close the top tier.

Are tier-on-tier shutters more expensive than full height?

They usually involve more panels and hinges. We can quote both layouts so you can compare them for your window.

Can tier-on-tier shutters go in a bay window?

Yes. They are a popular choice for street-facing bays. Each section of the bay is measured and designed individually.

Are tier-on-tier shutters blackout?

No. They cut out much of the light when closed, but some will still come through between the louvres and around the panels.

Other shutter styles

Free, no obligation

Book your Free Home Survey

We’ll measure properly, bring samples to see in your own light, talk you through what suits each window, and give you a no-obligation quotation.

Book a Free Shutter Survey Visit our showroom

Or call 01223 756519