Window shutters can be opened and folded a number of ways and a key question customers always ask is ‘how do the shutters fold?’
Folding Advice
Most customers keep their shutters closed and only open the louvres to let the light in and out. There are only a few that choose to bi-fold shutters open. When they do, splitting the shutters into four sections is the most popular option.
Shutter folding terminology
Trying to describe what you require over the phone can be hard when you are unsure of the correct wording. So the following list should help.
- Single – One shutter on its own.
- Bi-fold – Two hinged together to one side
- Tri-fold – Three hinged together to one side
- Quad-fold – Four hinged together to one side
- Track mounted – Bi-folding hanging on a track
- Sliding – Sliding on a track (by-pass)
- T Post – Folded either side of a post
Top opening folding
Generally, the folding you choose for the bottom shutter will be duplicated for the top tier shutter. Most top opening folding designs have four shutters at the top and four shutters at the bottom. (LLRR – 2 bi-folding shutters left & 2 bi-folding shutters right.)
Tpost folding
Shutters can be hinged on the actual Tposts to enable each shutter to match the window sections and offer alternative opening options. Very popular on 3 and 4 section UPVC windows where the far left or right windows open. Tposts allow easy access to the individual windows without opening the rest of the shutters.
Track mounted folding
When shutters are mounted on a top track there are some folding limits. You will need an equal number of shutters folding to any particular side. Detailed folding options can be found in the main shutter section under shutter folding. Generally you have 4 shutters folding left and 4 shutters folding right.
Shaped folding
Shaped or angled shutters generally need to open towards the highest part of the window to allow them to open. You can also hinge the shutters downwards or mount shutters on magnets so they lift in and out of the shutter frame.
‘Remember, window shutters will remain closed most of the time, so it’s key to match the window layout before worrying about how the shutters open or fold back against the wall’.