Tier-on-Tier Shutters

Tier-on-tier shutters split each window into two sets of panels, one stacked above the other. Each tier is hinged separately, so you can fold the top panels back and let the daylight pour in while the bottom panels stay closed. It’s the shutter style that gives you the most freedom over light and privacy, and a particularly good match for houses that sit close to the street.

Being made to measure is especially important with this style. The point where the two tiers meet has to sit at just the right height, and the panels need to close neatly against each other along that line. That only happens when every panel is built for the window it’s going into.

Why choose tier-on-tier?

Picture a front room on a busy road. During the day you want light, but you don’t want people walking past to see straight in. With tier-on-tier shutters, you close the lower tier and open the upper one: the room stays bright and the view in from the pavement is blocked. In the evening, close both. On a sunny afternoon you might do the opposite, closing the top to cut glare while leaving the bottom open to see the garden.

Within each tier, the louvres tilt as well. That gives you two layers of control: fold the panels, angle the louvres, or combine the two until the room feels right.

Where tier-on-tier works best

• Victorian and Edwardian sash windows. Lining the split up with the meeting rail of the sashes is a classic look. You can fold back the top tier and open the upper sash for fresh air while the lower tier stays closed.
• Ground-floor bedrooms and front rooms, where privacy at street level matters most.
• Bay windows, where opening the top tier all the way round gives a wide band of light across the room.
• Tall windows that would feel heavy with a single full-height panel.

Comparing the hinged styles

Tier-on-tier, full-height and café style are easy to mix up. Here’s the simple difference.

Style	What opens	Best for
Full-height	One panel, top to bottom	A clean look with simple control
Tier-on-tier	Top and bottom separately	Privacy below with daylight above
Café style	Lower part only, top left bare	Privacy without covering the whole window

If you can’t decide between them, we’ll show you how each would look on your own windows at the home visit.

Finishes and details

You choose from the same details as on all our shutters: louvre size, a painted or stained finish, and the type of tilt rod. A hidden tilt rod suits this style well. With two tiers on every window, visible rods on each can make the front look busy, and tucking them away keeps the lines clean. We bring samples so you can see each option in the room.

How it works

1. Book a time. Ring or WhatsApp us, or ask for a quote online. Home visits are available any day of the week.
2. Measure and plan the split. We measure each window, agree where the two tiers should meet and bring samples to compare. Your quote is free, and there’s no obligation.
3. Two tiers, made to fit. Top and bottom panels are made to the sizes we took.
4. Hung and checked. We fit the frames, hang both tiers and make sure each one closes neatly against the other. Fitting is included in your quote.

We’ve spent 20 years fitting shutters, blinds and curtains in homes across Birmingham and the West Midlands. If you’re weighing up tier-on-tier against another style, we’ll give you an honest opinion based on your windows and how you use the room.