Tracked Shutters — Bi-Fold and Bypass Systems for Wider Openings
Bi-Fold panels fold and gather to the side; Bypass panels slide past one another on parallel tracks. Tracked shutters bring shutter control to wide windows, patio doors and large glazed openings, confirmed at survey.
Some openings are too wide for a standard hinged shutter to work practically — wide windows, patio doors, large glazed walls and selected bifold-door installations all call for a different approach. Tracked shutters use a track-guided panel system to manage these larger openings.
There are two principal tracked systems: Bi-Fold, where panels are hinged together and fold as they travel along the track, and Bypass, where panels slide on parallel tracks and pass behind one another. The two systems behave differently, and the right choice depends on your opening, the space available and how you want the panels to operate.
At Blinds Kingdom we supply and fit tracked shutters across Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton. Every installation begins with a free home visit where we assess your opening, take accurate measurements and help you choose the right system and configuration.
Why Choose Tracked Shutters?
A Shutter Solution for Wider Openings
Standard hinged shutters become impractical past a certain width. Tracked systems allow many wide windows, patio doors and large glazed openings to be dressed with shutters — the exact configuration is confirmed at survey.
Panels Move Along a Guided Track
Bi-Fold panels fold and gather to the side; Bypass panels slide past one another on parallel tracks. Both use track guidance to support panel movement across wider openings rather than relying on standard hinged panels alone.
Panels Stack to a Chosen Side
When open, Bi-Fold panels gather toward the designated stack side, and Bypass panels slide behind one another within the track. How much of the opening remains clear depends on the system and configuration chosen.
Familiar Louvre Light Control
Tracked shutters use the same general louvre principle as other shutter styles, with the available tilt and control options depending on the selected material, panel design and system.
Available Across Several Materials
Tracked configurations are available across Wooden, selected Faux Wood, Composite, Wood Grain and Aluminium ranges. Your surveyor will confirm what your chosen material and range can achieve.
How it works
Bi-Fold or Bypass?
Tracked shutters open in one of two ways. Both are configuration decisions driven by your opening and available space — neither is simply "the doors version" or "the windows version" of the other.
Tracked Bi-Fold
Panels are hinged together in groups. As the system opens, the connected panels fold together and the folded stack moves along the track, gathering toward one side or, depending on configuration, toward both sides. The final arrangement depends on opening width, panel count, dimensions, material and track system — not every Bi-Fold configuration stacks completely clear of the opening.
Tracked Bypass
Panels move on parallel track paths and slide past one another rather than folding into a hinged stack. This suits openings where a folding stack would project too far into the room. Bypass panels normally overlap and stack behind one another, so the opening is not necessarily fully cleared when the shutters are open.
Track, Mid Rail and Split Tilt are different things: the track controls how the panels move and stack; a Mid Rail is a structural horizontal rail within a panel; Split Tilt controls independent louvre groups within a panel. A tracked shutter may still incorporate a Mid Rail or Split Tilt, depending on material and panel design.
Where Do the Panels Go When Open?
Bi-Fold panels fold and gather toward the designated stack side, with the folded panels projecting slightly from the track. Bypass panels slide behind one another within the track itself, so the stacked panels remain within the opening rather than folding clear of it.
Planning where the panels stack affects the usable opening, clearance at the wall or recess, nearby furniture, handles and doors, and the overall visual balance — all confirmed with your surveyor before manufacture.
Shutters Across a Wide Opening
This genuine Blinds Kingdom installation shows how full-height shutter panels can create a clean, coordinated finish across a wide glazed opening. Where a tracked system is appropriate, the exact panel arrangement and opening method are planned around the width, available stacking space and surrounding room.
Where Tracked Shutters Work Well
Tracked shutters are well suited to wide windows, large glazed openings, patio doors, French doors, wide room openings and selected window-and-door combinations. Availability for your specific opening is confirmed at survey rather than assumed in advance.
Tracked shutters can also be considered for selected bifold-door installations, but suitability depends on the actual door system and available space. Your surveyor checks where the bifold doors stack, handle positions, whether the doors open inward or outward, the clearance between the glazing and the proposed shutters, track position, the floor and threshold, and your preferred stacking direction. Tracked shutters are a separate internal shutter system fitted in front of or around the door opening — they do not attach to the bifold doors themselves.
Track Location and Floor Tracks
Not every tracked shutter uses the same track arrangement. Systems may use a top track, a bottom track, or both, depending on the selected system and configuration — some installations require a visible lower track or channel, while others differ depending on the system chosen.
The exact track arrangement depends on the shutter system, opening and selected range. During survey we establish where the track can be fitted and how it will interact with the sill, floor and door threshold.
Configurations
Tracked vs Standard Hinged Shutters
Tracked shutters are not simply "better" than hinged shutters — the right choice depends on your opening, available space, access and how you want the panels to operate.
Standard Hinged
Individual panels swing into the room on hinges — the standard configuration for most windows and doors.
Tracked Bi-Fold
Panels hinged together in groups, folding together as they move along an overhead track and gathering toward the stack side.
Tracked Bypass
Panels slide on parallel tracks, passing behind one another rather than folding — part of the opening normally remains occupied by the stacked panels.
Materials for Tracked Shutters
Tracked capability depends on the selected shutter material and range, not on the track system alone. Your surveyor will confirm exactly what is possible for your opening.
Wooden→
Real Paulownia hardwood. Tracked Bi-Fold and Bypass systems are supported on selected ranges.
Faux Wood→
HSPVC in white and off-white tones. Selected Faux Wood ranges support tracked configurations.
Composite→
Engineered Composite shutter material with reinforced structural components. Tracked Bi-Fold and Bypass are supported on selected Composite ranges — a structurally rigid option for wider tracked panels.
Wood Grain→
Brushed Paulownia wood with a distinctive visible grain texture. Tracked Bi-Fold and Bypass are supported, subject to survey.
Aluminium→
A contemporary powder-coated finish. Tracked Bi-Fold and Bypass configurations are supported — a popular choice for bifold-door surrounds and patio openings.
Louvre sizes
Louvre Sizes
Available louvre sizes depend on the material, panel dimensions and tracked system — not every size suits every configuration. Your surveyor will confirm what applies to your chosen material and range.
63mm louvres
Traditional close-spaced louvres. Suitability depends on the material and tracked system.
76mm louvres
The most widely specified size. Suitability depends on the material and tracked system.
89mm louvres
The widest louvre for maximum light. Suitability depends on the material and tracked system.
What We Check During Survey
Tracked shutters need careful survey planning. Your surveyor checks the opening width and height, recess depth, ceiling or head clearance, the sill and floor condition, and the track fixing surface.
We also check door and window handles, door swing or opening path, any bifold-door stack, skirting, radiators, furniture and thresholds nearby, your preferred panel stacking side, and the usable opening once the shutters are open — alongside panel width, quantity and material compatibility.
Light and Privacy
Tracked shutters use the same general louvre principle as any other shutter, allowing you to adjust the louvres for daylight and privacy — the exact panel positions available depend on the system.
They are not inherently blackout, and light can remain between the louvres, at the frames, between panels and near the track or stack junctions. At night, open louvres do not provide full privacy from outside when the room is lit.
Blackout Expectations
Tracked shutters are primarily a light-control and privacy product rather than a total-blackout system. Adding a track does not itself make a shutter darker.
Specialist blackout options may be available on selected configurations and are confirmed during survey. If greater darkness is a priority for a room, ask your surveyor about our dedicated Blackout Shutters.
Tracked Shutter Specifications
| Application | Wide windows, patio doors, large glazed areas and selected bifold-door installations |
| Track systems | Bi-Fold and Bypass configurations available on selected shutter ranges |
| Bi-Fold operation | Panels hinged together fold as they travel along the track, gathering toward the stack side |
| Bypass operation | Panels slide on parallel tracks, passing behind one another rather than folding |
| Materials | Wooden, selected Faux Wood, Composite, Wood Grain and Aluminium |
| PVC compatibility | Not offered in the current verified PVC range |
| Louvre sizes | 63mm, 76mm and 89mm; availability depends on material, panel dimensions and tracked system |
| Split Tilt / Mid Rail | Available on selected materials and panel designs, independent of the track system |
| Track arrangement | Depends on system, opening and selected range; confirmed during survey |
| Wide-window and door suitability | Suitable for many wide windows, patio doors and large glazed openings, subject to survey |
| Bifold-door suitability | Considered for selected bifold-door installations; suitability depends on the door system and available space |
| Panel stacking | Bi-Fold panels gather toward the stack side; Bypass panels overlap behind one another within the track |
| Aluminium tracked panel limits | Selected Aluminium systems: Bi-Fold panels up to 2500mm high and 1000mm wide (up to 6 panels folding in one direction); Bypass panels up to 1500mm wide |
| Blackout | Not a blackout solution — light can remain around louvres, frames, panels and track/stack areas |
| Warranty | Depends on the selected shutter material, range and tracked configuration |
| Lead time | Typically 10–14 weeks |
Warranty
Warranty depends on the selected shutter material, range and tracked configuration. Your surveyor will confirm the applicable warranty for your chosen material before ordering.
Lead Time
Typical lead time is 10–14 weeks from confirmed order and final specification. Your surveyor will confirm the expected lead time for your chosen material and tracked configuration.
The Right Solution for Your Wide Opening
If you have a wide window, patio door or large glazed opening that a standard hinged shutter can't practically cover, tracked shutters are worth exploring. Book your free home visit today and let our surveyor assess your opening and confirm exactly what's possible.