Tier on Tier Shutters — Independent Control, Top and Bottom
Two independent sets of panels — upper and lower — each opening and tilting separately, giving you flexible control over light and privacy at different heights of the same window.
Tier on tier shutters give you two completely independent sets of panels within the same window — an upper tier and a lower tier — each of which can be opened, closed and tilted separately from the other.
This gives you flexible control over light and privacy at different heights of the same window: open the upper tier for daylight while keeping the lower tier closed for privacy, or close both tiers together when you want the whole window covered.
Tier on tier works particularly well for street-facing rooms, bedrooms and living rooms where both light and privacy matter at different times of day.
At Blinds Kingdom we supply and fit tier on tier shutters across Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton. Every installation begins with a free home visit where we bring samples, take accurate measurements and walk you through every option.
How Tier on Tier Shutters Work
Tier on tier shutters consist of two completely separate sets of shutter panels mounted within the same frame — an upper set and a lower set. Each set operates entirely independently of the other, so the upper tier can be open while the lower tier stays closed, or the other way round.
This is different from a full height shutter with a mid-rail, where the louvres above and below can tilt independently but the panel itself still opens as a single unit. With tier on tier, the upper and lower panels open completely independently of each other.
Why Choose Tier on Tier Shutters?
Independent Upper and Lower Panels
Unlike a single shutter panel, tier on tier gives you two separate panel sets that open, close and tilt entirely independently of each other.
Flexible Privacy for Street-Facing Rooms
For living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms that face onto a street or are overlooked, the lower tier can stay closed for privacy while the upper tier opens for daylight.
Ideal for Bedrooms
Let morning light in through the upper tier while keeping the lower tier closed for privacy, then close both tiers together in the evening.
A Distinctive Architectural Look
The horizontal division between the two tiers gives the window a strong, defined appearance that many homeowners find distinctive.
Available in Several Materials
Tier on tier shutters are available across wooden, faux wood, PVC, composite and wood grain — so you can choose the finish that best suits your room.
Available Materials for Tier on Tier
Tier on tier is available across five of our shutter materials. Exact colours, controls and warranty terms vary by material and range.
Wooden Shutters→
Real Paulownia hardwood in painted tones, wood stains and wood grain texture.
Faux Wood Shutters→
HSPVC in white and off-white tones, well suited to moisture-prone rooms.
PVC Shutters→
A waterproof, low-maintenance option suited to every room, including bathrooms and kitchens.
Composite Shutters→
An engineered construction with reinforced structural components and a durable painted finish.
Wood Grain Shutters→
A brushed Paulownia wood finish with a visible, textured grain appearance.
Kitchens
Tier on tier can work well in a kitchen — keeping the lower tier closed around the sink or worktop for privacy while the upper tier stays open for light.
As with any shutter style, kitchen suitability depends on the material you choose. PVC, Faux Wood and Composite are better suited to consistently moisture-prone rooms; your surveyor can advise which fits your kitchen.
Bathrooms
Tier on tier can also work well in a bathroom when paired with a moisture-resistant material. The photograph shows a genuine Faux Wood/HSPVC tier on tier installation — a configuration well suited to consistently moisture-prone rooms.
Natural wood is not recommended for persistently humid bathrooms; your surveyor can help you choose an appropriate material for your room during your free home visit.
Louvre sizes
Choosing Your Louvre Size
63mm louvres
Traditional close-spaced louvres. Excellent privacy and a classic shutter look. Popular for tier on tier in street-facing bedrooms and living rooms.
76mm louvres
The most widely specified size for tier on tier shutters. Balances privacy with light control and suits most window sizes and room styles.
89mm louvres
The widest louvre for maximum light when open. Works well in larger rooms and open-plan spaces where maximising daylight is a priority.
114mm louvres
Available on selected Wooden shutter ranges. The wider profile creates a more open, architectural appearance and is particularly suited to larger windows.
Tier on Tier Shutters for Bay Windows
Tier on tier is available for bay windows, giving each bay section its own independently operating upper and lower tiers.
The exact panel configuration, tier proportions and tier split for each bay section depend on the specific window's geometry, confirmed by your surveyor during your free home visit.
For more on fitting shutters to bay windows generally, see our dedicated Bay Window Shutters page.
Configurations
Tier on Tier vs Café Style vs Full Height
Not sure tier on tier is the right fit? Here's how it compares.
Tier on Tier
Two separate shutter panel sets — upper and lower — each opening independently. The whole window can be covered when both tiers are closed. ✓ You are here.
Café Style
Shutters cover the lower section of the window only; the upper glass is always open.
Full Height
One continuous panel covers the full window height. Louvre groups can sometimes be divided using Split Tilt or a mid-rail, but the panel itself remains one piece.
Light Reduction and Blackout Expectations
During the day, the lower tier can stay closed for privacy while the upper tier is opened for daylight — a flexible way to balance light and privacy at street level.
At night, privacy depends on the position of both tiers and their louvres. An opened upper tier does not provide privacy after dark, regardless of material or louvre size.
Like any shutter, tier on tier is a light-diffusing product rather than a blackout one — some light can remain around the louvres, at the panel edges and at the join between tiers, even with both tiers fully closed. If blackout is a priority for a room, ask your surveyor about our dedicated Blackout Shutters instead.
What We Check During Your Survey
Windows are not always perfectly square, so your surveyor measures each one at multiple points to get an accurate fit.
For tier on tier, we also plan where the split between the upper and lower tiers should sit — taking into account any transoms, mullions, window handles, the privacy height you need, and the overall proportions of the window, so the two tiers work well both visually and in operation.
Depending on the selected shutter range and frame design, the join between the tiers may incorporate a horizontal structural member; the exact configuration is confirmed during survey. A four-sided frame is generally required to support two independently operating tiers, and each tier's panels are proportioned for reliable long-term operation.
Any obstructions — skirting boards, dado rails, coving — will be noted and discussed at survey before any order is placed.
Tier on Tier Shutter Specifications
| Style | Tier on tier — two independently operating shutter panel sets |
| Coverage | Covers the full window height when both tiers are closed |
| Panel operation | Upper and lower tiers open, close and tilt completely independently |
| Materials | Wooden, faux wood, PVC, composite, wood grain |
| Louvre sizes | 63mm, 76mm and 89mm broadly available; 114mm on selected Wooden ranges |
| Tilt controls | Centre tilt rod, offset tilt rod, Clearview (hidden tilt) — depends on material and range |
| Tier split and frame | Planned at survey around your window; a four-sided frame is generally required |
| Bay windows | Available for bay windows, subject to survey |
| Bathrooms and kitchens | Suitable when paired with a moisture-resistant material — see Materials above |
| Blackout | Not a blackout solution — light can remain around louvres and panel edges |
| Warranty | Varies by material — 3 to 10 years |
| Lead time | Varies by material — your surveyor will confirm the exact lead time |
Warranty
Warranty coverage depends on the material you choose: Wooden shutters — 3 years. Faux wood shutters — 10 years. PVC shutters — 10 years. Composite shutters — 10 years. Wood grain shutters — 5 years.
Lead Time and Ordering
Lead times depend on the material selected. Your surveyor will confirm the exact lead time during your free home visit.
Independent Control for Every Room
If you want independent control over the upper and lower sections of your window, tier on tier shutters are worth exploring. Book your free home visit today and let our surveyor show you exactly how they work and whether they are the right choice for your windows.