Solid shutters
Solid steel or aluminium laths give maximum privacy and protection from wind, rain and thrown objects, and they hide stock completely. The trade-off is a blank face to the street after hours, which many councils discourage on shopping streets.
Perforated shutters
Rows of small holes let light through and keep the display visible, which keeps a street feeling open and lets the window keep selling after closing. Perforated shutters are the usual compromise on high streets and the type councils most often accept.
Punched vision laths
Larger slots punched in the laths give a clearer view of the display. They suit fashion, jewellery and food retailers who want the shop to look open. A few solid laths at the bottom add kick resistance.
Roller grilles
An open tube-and-link mesh that secures the opening while leaving most of it visible. Grilles are often required in shopping centres and suit internal positions behind the glass, where they protect stock without changing the frontage.
Questions to decide between them
- What does your council's shopfront guide prefer, and does your landlord or shopping centre have rules?
- How exposed is the frontage to weather and vandalism?
- Do you want the window display to work after closing?
- Do you need a particular security rating for your insurer? If so, ask for the manufacturer's certificate for the exact product.
Planning and landlords
Many councils publish shopfront design guides that prefer perforated shutters, internal grilles or boxes hidden behind the fascia, and shopping centres and landlords may have their own rules on type and colour.
Check both before ordering. We can supply drawings and product details for a planning application or a landlord's approval.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; check with the relevant authority for your property.