--- title: "Café Style Shutters | West Sussex & Surrey Fitters" description: "Café style shutters in Sussex. Stylish lower-window coverage for privacy and light. Made-to-measure, professionally installed. Free survey. Call 07934 969997." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LocalBusiness", "name": "Expert Shutters", "description": "Premium shutters, blinds and curtains for homes and businesses across West Sussex and Surrey.", "url": "https://expertshutterblinds.co.uk", "telephone": "+4407934969997", "email": "info@expertshutterblinds.co.uk", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "7 Blatchford Rd", "addressLocality": "Horsham", "addressRegion": "West Sussex", "postalCode": "RH13 5QR", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 51.054, "longitude": -0.318 }, "areaServed": [ "West Sussex", "Surrey" ], "priceRange": "££", "openingHoursSpecification": { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "18:00" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://expertshutterblinds.co.uk" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Services", "item": "https://expertshutterblinds.co.uk/services" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Café Style Shutters", "item": "https://expertshutterblinds.co.uk/cafe-style-shutters" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "name": "Café Style Shutter Installation", "description": "Made-to-measure café style shutters professionally installed across West Sussex and Surrey.", "provider": { "@type": "LocalBusiness", "name": "Expert Shutters", "telephone": "+4407934969997", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "7 Blatchford Rd", "addressLocality": "Horsham", "addressRegion": "West Sussex", "postalCode": "RH13 5QR", "addressCountry": "GB" } }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "Place", "name": "Sussex" }, { "@type": "Place", "name": "Surrey" }, { "@type": "Place", "name": "Hampshire" }, { "@type": "Place", "name": "Kent" }, { "@type": "Place", "name": "South West London" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much do café style shutters cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Pricing depends on window size, material and complexity. A single window typically starts from £200–£400 installed. We provide exact quotes after a free home survey." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will café style shutters work on my sash windows?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, they are one of the most popular choices for sash windows. The lower panels cover the bottom sash while the upper sash remains fully visible." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I upgrade to full-height shutters later?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In most cases, yes. The frame system is designed to accommodate additional panels. We can advise on upgrade options during your initial survey." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do café shutters block draughts?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "They provide a partial barrier at the lower window, reducing draughts from the bottom of the frame. For full draught reduction, full-height shutters are more effective." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are café shutters suitable for bathrooms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, provided you choose our waterproof ABS polymer material. This is fully moisture-resistant and will not warp in humid conditions." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How high should café shutters be?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The typical coverage height is 50–60% of the window. We determine the optimal split during the survey based on privacy needs and window proportions." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can café shutters be fitted without drilling into the frame?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, outside-mount options fix to the wall surrounding the window rather than the frame itself." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does installation take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most installations are completed within a few hours. Multiple windows in the same property are typically finished within a single day." } } ] } ] --- [![Expert Shutters](/assets/logo-DteNvnNk.png)](/) [Home](/) Services Areas [Our Work](/our-work)[Reviews](/reviews)[About](/about)[Specials](/specials)[Contact](/contact) [07934 969997](tel:07934969997)[Get a Free Quote](/contact) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Services](/services) 3. Café Style Shutters # Café Style Shutters for Privacy Without Sacrificing Light Cover the lower half of your windows for street-level privacy while flooding your rooms with natural light from above — the perfect balance, expertly installed. [Get a Free Quote](/contact) [07934 969997](tel:07934969997) 5-star rated · Free home survey · 25+ years local experience 25+ Years Experience Free Home Survey Full Guarantee Family Business 5-Star Reviews ## What Are Café Style Shutters? Café style shutters cover only the lower portion of a window, typically from the sill to the midpoint. The upper half of the window remains uncovered, allowing maximum natural light to enter the room while the lower panels provide complete privacy from passers-by and neighbours. The name originates from European street-side cafés where this half-height shutter style has been used for centuries to create a private dining atmosphere without darkening the interior. Today, café style shutters are one of the most popular choices for ground-floor rooms in Sussex homes — particularly those on busy streets, close to pavements, or overlooked by neighbouring properties. They are ideal for living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms and street-facing bedrooms where you want privacy during the day without resorting to nets, voile or closed blinds. The visual effect is clean and architectural, adding character to both period and modern properties. Professional installation ensures the shutters align perfectly with the window's horizontal midpoint, creating a balanced, intentional look. Our surveyors assess each window to determine the optimal split point, taking into account window furniture, radiators and the room's proportions. ## The Problem with Nets, Voile and Half-Measures Net curtains and voile panels are the traditional solution for ground-floor privacy, but they come with significant downsides. They reduce natural light across the entire window, trap dust, require regular washing, and visually date a property's appearance from both inside and outside. Frosted window film is another common alternative, but it is permanent, blocks your view entirely, and cannot be adjusted. You lose the ability to open the window to a clear view when privacy is not needed — on quiet mornings, at weekends, or when you simply want to look outside. Full-height shutters and closed blinds solve the privacy problem but create a new one: they darken the room and cut off the natural light that makes a space feel open and inviting. Café style shutters solve privacy without any of these compromises. Cheap, self-fitted half-height solutions — including clip-on panels and tension-rod café curtains — rarely sit straight, tend to sag over time, and fail to provide the solid, gap-free privacy that properly fitted shutters deliver. ## Our Process 1 ### Free Home Survey We measure your windows, assess the optimal coverage height, check for obstructions like handles or vents, and discuss material and colour preferences. 2 ### Design & Quotation You receive a detailed quote including exact panel configurations, louvre sizes and mounting options tailored to each window. 3 ### Bespoke Manufacturing Each shutter panel is manufactured to precise dimensions, quality-checked and prepared for installation. 4 ### Professional Installation We install the shutters with clean, secure fixings, ensuring every panel aligns perfectly and operates smoothly. 5 ### Inspection & Handover We demonstrate the louvre operation, check alignment from both inside and outside, and confirm your complete satisfaction. ## Key Benefits ### Maximum Natural Light The open upper window allows sunlight to reach deep into the room, keeping spaces bright and reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. ### Street-Level Privacy Solid lower panels block the view from pavements, driveways and neighbouring ground-floor windows without making you feel enclosed. ### Clean, Uncluttered Look Café style shutters replace nets, voile and half-drawn blinds with a single, elegant solution that enhances your windows architecturally. ### Adds Kerb Appeal From the street, café style shutters give a property a distinctive, well-maintained appearance that stands out from standard window treatments. ### Low Maintenance No washing, no re-hanging, no tangled cords. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is all that is needed to keep café style shutters looking pristine. ### Works with Any Décor Available in a wide range of colours and finishes, café shutters complement everything from Victorian terraces to contemporary new-builds. ## Materials, Configurations and Design Options Café style shutters are available in the same premium materials as our full-height range: basswood, paulownia and waterproof ABS polymer. For kitchen windows near sinks or splashbacks, waterproof polymer is the recommended choice. For living rooms and bedrooms, hardwood provides the warmest, most natural finish. The coverage height is flexible and determined during the survey. The standard split is at the window's centre rail or horizontal bar, but we can adjust up or down depending on your privacy requirements, the window's proportions and any external factors like garden walls, fences or hedging. Louvre sizes from 47mm to 89mm are available. Smaller louvres suit cottage-style properties and narrow windows. Larger louvres work well in modern homes and create a bolder architectural statement. The louvre size also affects how much light enters when the panels are closed — larger louvres allow more light between slats. Café style shutters can be mounted inside the window reveal for a flush finish, or outside the reveal on an L-frame for a more prominent look. Inside mounts create a neater appearance but require sufficient reveal depth. Our surveyor will measure the reveal and recommend the best mounting option. For bay windows, café style shutters follow the angles or curves of the bay, with each section manufactured independently. This creates a striking feature that works particularly well in period properties where bays are a prominent architectural element. Colour options include standard whites, off-whites and greys, as well as custom colour matching. We can match existing paintwork, woodwork or interior schemes to create a cohesive look throughout your home. ## Frequently Asked Questions Common questions about our café style shutter installation services across West Sussex & Surrey and surrounding areas. [Still Have Questions? Contact Us](/contact) How much do café style shutters cost? Will café style shutters work on my sash windows? Can I upgrade to full-height shutters later? Do café shutters block draughts? Are café shutters suitable for bathrooms? How high should café shutters be? Can café shutters be fitted without drilling into the frame? How long does installation take? ## Related Services [Plantation Shutters](/plantation-shutters) [Solid Shutters](/solid-shutters) [Tracked Shutters](/tracked-shutters) [Blinds](/blinds) [Horsham](/horsham) [Chichester](/chichester) [Crawley](/crawley) [Dorking](/dorking) [Guildford](/guildford) ![Elegant living room with professionally installed white plantation shutters](/assets/cta-background-CkxF5S1S.jpg) ## Privacy and Light — Without Compromise Book a free survey and discover how café style shutters can transform your ground-floor windows. No obligation, no pressure, just expert advice. [Get a Free Quote](/contact) [07934 969997](tel:07934969997) ![Expert Shutters](/assets/logo-DteNvnNk.png) Premium shutters, blinds and curtains for homes and businesses across West Sussex & Surrey and surrounding areas. Family-run with 25+ years of experience. [07934 969997](tel:07934969997) [info@expertshutterblinds.co.uk](mailto:info@expertshutterblinds.co.uk) 7 Blatchford Rd, Horsham RH13 5QR ### Opening Hours - Monday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM - Tuesday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM - Wednesday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM - Thursday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM - Friday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM - Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM - Sunday Closed ### Services - [Plantation Shutters](/plantation-shutters) - [Blinds](/blinds) - [Curtains](/curtains) - [Café Style Shutters](/cafe-style-shutters) - [Solid Shutters](/solid-shutters) - [Tracked Shutters](/tracked-shutters) - [Venetian Blinds](/venetian-blinds) - [Roller Blinds](/roller-blinds) - [Vertical Blinds](/vertical-blinds) ### Service Areas - [Horsham](/horsham) - [Chichester](/chichester) - [Crawley](/crawley) - [Dorking](/dorking) - [Guildford](/guildford) - [Worthing](/worthing) - [East Grinstead](/east-grinstead) - [Reigate](/reigate) - [Godalming](/godalming) ### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About](/about) - [Our Work](/our-work) - [Reviews](/reviews) - [Specials](/specials) - [Contact](/contact) © 2026 Expert Shutters. 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