Café shutters are one of the best-looking options for UK homes; they’re one of our best-sellers for a reason! They’re not universally the “best” shutter (because there isn’t one) but they are really versatile and work well for most homes, which makes them a very popular choice among Droitwich Shutters customers.
With that in mind, there are always pros and cons to every shutter type. Not everything will suit your property, your use-case, or your budget. Here are some of the pros and cons of café shutters.
Pros of Café Shutters
1. They work really well with curtains
Most pros and cons lists completely miss this point, but working with soft furnishings is a super important aspect of choosing your window coverings. Café shutters look amazing with a heavy, full length curtain in a period property. Equally, they really enhance the look of bright and breezy summer curtains in a modern space, such as a café or conservatory.
A set of curtains really softens the look of shutters, which can be a bold statement alone.
2. They look amazing in period properties
Following on from the previous point is their suitability for period properties. Café shutters and a Victorian window are a match made in heaven, highlighting the craftsmanship of both while offering great benefits such as draught exclusion and privacy, which are often an issue in such homes.
3. They keep your room bright and airy
A full-height shutter or long, dramatic curtains can look a little domineering in some spaces, but not café shutters! They let in light from the top of the window while covering the bottom half, meaning you still benefit from increased privacy while maintaining maximum sunlight through your windows. This can be a huge benefit in small or darker rooms.
Cons of Café Shutters
1. Less insulation than other shutter styles
Café shutters look lovely in every home, but they do have some downsides if your home is particularly draughty or cold. They’re not brilliant at insulating as they leave the top part of your windows exposed, and compared to other options such as tier-on-tier shutters, they wouldn’t save much on your energy bills. They will still insulate though – just not as much.
Want to read about how shutters can save you money on your energy bills? Read this article.
2. Less privacy if you live on a busy road
If you need a shutter for your bedroom windows, or you live along a busy road, café shutters might not be the best option for you. While they do offer privacy compared to curtains, which remain open all day, they’re not going to completely block the view from outside. For a room such as a living room, the privacy offered can be enough, but it’s worth thinking about whether you’d be better off with something covering your whole window such as a bay window shutter.
