Shutters in Chelmsford

Shutters in Chelmsford: 11 Checks to Make Before You Order

Before you order window shutters in Chelmsford, find out who has a say over your window, then look at the window itself. This page gives you 11 checks in a sensible order, from conservation areas to the free measuring visit.

Shutters in Chelmsford can work on period sashes and new-build homes alike. What matters is the order of your checks. Start with whoever has a say over the window, such as the council or your landlord. Then look at the frame and the recess. Pick a style last. Get that order right and the visit and the quote can go more smoothly.

We supply and fit our shutter range in four styles: full height, tier on tier, cafe style, and sliding or folding panels on a track. Each comes in basswood or PVC (faux wood). Louvres are the slats you tilt to let light in or keep eyes out, and you can choose their width.

Your checklist for shutters in Chelmsford, in order

Work down from the top. Checks 1 to 3 are about permission. The rest are about your windows and the visit.

Is your street in a conservation area?
Is the building listed?
Does an Article 4 Direction apply?
Do your sashes have deep reveals?
Do you have an upstairs bay or a corner oriel?
Are the windows metal Crittall style frames?
Is it a rented or leasehold flat?
Is it a new-build home?
Do you want shutters on garden doors?
Are there young children at home?
What should you have ready for the visit?

1. Conservation areas in Chelmsford: look up your street before choosing shutters

Yes, check this first. Chelmsford City Council lists more than 20 conservation areas across its patch, and its website has a map where you can look up your address. Within the city, its list includes:

Chelmsford Central
Moulsham Street
New London Road
West End
Baddow Road and River Can
Springfield Green
St Johns Hospital
John Keene Memorial Homes
Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation

Villages such as Writtle and Danbury are on the list too. In the council’s words: “If you want to carry out work on a building or tree in a conservation area, you need to check which permissions you will need.”

2. Listed homes in Chelmsford: ask about consent before shutters go in

If your home is listed, speak to the council before any shutter is ordered. Its listed buildings page says you need consent to replace external doors or windows, or to remove historic doors, fireplaces, plasterwork or panelling. Putting double glazing into a listed building will “almost always” need listed building consent, it adds.

A shutter frame can be fixed inside the recess or to the wall around the window. In a listed room, that recess may hold old panelling. So ask the council whether a frame can be fixed there at all, and how. That decision is theirs to make.

To find out where you stand:

Search your address on the National Heritage List for England, run by Historic England.
If it is listed, call the council’s Conservation and Listed Building Team on 01245 606294.
Ask about the shutter frame, its fixings and any change to the reveal.
Keep their reply and show it to us at the measuring visit.

3. Battlesbridge and Article 4 in Chelmsford: what to ask before fitting shutters

Only one Article 4 Direction on Chelmsford’s published list sits under its conservation area heading: Battlesbridge, dated 13 January 2009. An Article 4 Direction, the council explains, “removes all or some of the permitted development rights on an area or property.” Put simply, some jobs that would normally go ahead without an application may need one.

Its list does not say which works the Battlesbridge direction covers. If you live there, ask before you plan any window change, and mention the shutters on that call. Other directions on the list are tied to named pieces of land, such as sites at Broomfield and Stock.

One more point for the West End. A council appraisal from 2005 suggested considering Article 4 Directions for Townfield Street, Steamer Terrace and Wells Street. None appears on the current list. If you live on one of those streets, a call to the council can clear it up.

4. Deep reveals on New London Road sashes: where shutters can sit in Chelmsford

A deep reveal can give a shutter frame room to sit inside the recess, so the panels close flush and the sash still slides behind them. Whether it works depends on the depth of the recess and how square it is.

Chelmsford’s 2023 appraisal of New London Road says timber sliding sash windows “are found throughout the area, with many buildings retaining their original windows.” It adds: “Concealed sash boxes, deep reveals and stone cills are typical.” Painted timber sashes are common in Chelmsford Central as well, its 2007 appraisal says.

At a sash window, we look at:

Depth from the glass to the room side of the recess.
Catches, locks and lifts that stick out into that space.
Whether the recess is square, since older walls can lean a little.
Where the meeting rail sits, so a split in the shutter can line up with it.

If you want the top and bottom to open on their own, look at tier on tier panels. A full height panel with a mid-rail is the other route. Our page on how full height and tier on tier compare sets out the differences.

Window Shutters London

We understand that your London home or business is your pride and joy – a place that reflects your style, personality and design aesthetic. If you are looking to add style and elegance to your windows, shutters are a great alternative to blinds or curtains. Not only do wooden window shutters provide additional privacy, but are also energy efficient, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Shutters London

Why Choose London Blinds 4U for Window Shutters?

– Great Quality
– Made to Measure
– Excellent Customer Service
– Competitive Quotes
– Hassle Free
– Multiple Styles Available
– Free Measuring & Fitting

“They measured my windows first and then 4 weeks after they fitted my blinds and shutters. I would not hesitate to recommend this company to anyone.”

- Liza Harrison

Plantation Shutters London Styles

When considering new shutters in your home or business premises, you must consider the style of building, the room you are looking to install wooden plantation shutters in, and the style you are interested in. Customers should also think about the purpose of the shutters – different styles are better for those looking for optimal privacy, while others allow more light to flood the room. We are equipped with all the knowledge you need to make a perfect choice.

There are many different types of shutters available for your London home or business – picking the right design is key to your comfort and style! We stock many styles of bespoke shutters:

Tier on Tier Shutters London

This type of shutter is basically one shutter fixed above another shutter, giving you the option of controlling the slats individually. For example, you may wish to close the bottom half slats for privacy but keep the top tier slats open to allow light into the room. Tier on Tier Shutters offer flexibility for varied use.

Full Height Shutters London

Full height is the most common type of shutter you may come across day to day. Full height shutters cover the whole of the window. Various options available for full height shutters, one being the option of having a mid-rail. Mid-rails are added to full height shutters for taller windows to strengthen the shutter; they also allow you to operate the upper and lower slats individually, giving you maximum light and privacy control for your London property.

Café Style Window Shutters London

This type of shutter is normally fitted at half height from the window sill upwards. Café style shutters, as the name suggests, are commonly used in restaurants and other catering environments. However, they are also suited for use in homes; the great benefit of these shutters is that they let plenty of light into any room but provide privacy from the base where the shutter is fitted.

Folding Shutters and Sliding Shutters London

For big glass windows, such as French doors and patio doors, sliding or folding shutters on tracked systems are a wise choice. These shutters are easily folded back to one side for practicality and ease of access through doorways or sliding doors. We stock a large variety of plantation shutters in different materials, patterns and colours to ensure our customers always purchase the best design for their individual needs.

Fitting Bespoke Window Shutters in London

Book an appointment today with one of our experienced advisors and we will advise you on what is the best type of shutter for your windows. We use no sales techniques, just straightforward guidance and realistic price quotes.

We offer a free onsite visit and go through the different types of shutters available with you. We can also match Wooden Venetian blinds to complement the shutters for those awkward windows to which shutters cannot be fitted.

Our wooden shutters are made from high-quality basswood and are also available in PVC (faux wood) for increased strength. This option is also more environmentally friendly. All our London shutters are available in various slat sizes, including 47mm, 63mm, 89mm & 114mm. LondonBlinds4U shutters are available in various finishes including whites, off-whites and various wood finishes.

Ask us about our full range, or book an appointment today with one of our experienced advisors!

“Excellent service with two lovely men who did a great job! Thank you!”

- Google review

5. Upstairs bays on Broomfield Road and the Duke Street oriel: Chelmsford bay window shutters

A bay can take shutters well, as long as each face is measured on its own. Of the houses on the west side of Broomfield Road, the council’s West End appraisal says: “Each unit has a bay window at first floor.” It also picks out 38 Duke Street, a corner building “with its oriel corner bay window.” An oriel is a bay that juts out from an upper floor without reaching the ground.

For a bay, decide:

How many faces it has, and the angle between them.
Whether each face should open on its own.
Whether the top half should stay open for daylight.
Where the handles are on each face, so the panels clear them.

6. Crittall style metal windows in Chelmsford’s West End and shutters

Metal windows can have shutters, but the frame needs a close look first. In the West End, the council notes that “a number of buildings have metal Crittall style windows which were introduced in the 1920’s.” Frames like these can be slim, and handles and stays can sit at odd heights.

We check the frame and the handle positions at the measuring visit, before we suggest a style. If those windows are in a conservation area or a listed building, checks 1 to 3 still come first.

7. Rented and city centre flats in Chelmsford: who signs off shutters

Renting? Ask your landlord or letting agent in writing before you book. Own a leasehold flat? Read your lease, then ask the freeholder or managing agent. Shutters are fixed to the walls or the recess, so whoever owns those walls can have a say.

Chelmsford has flats in its centre and on its new sites. The council lists Eastwood House as a major site of 197 apartments, all to be rented. Its Central appraisal notes “some residential use in New Street and adjoining Waterloo Lane.” Duke Street has “predominantly 3 storey buildings set tight to the roads edge.”

Who to ask:

Tenant: your landlord or letting agent.
Leaseholder: your lease, then the freeholder or managing agent.
Block run by a management company: any rules on what shows from outside.
Converted building in a conservation area: the council as well, if a window will change.

Where a window sits close to the pavement, cafe style shutters for city centre flats cover the lower glass and leave the top clear for daylight.

8. New-build homes at West Chelmsford, North of Broomfield and Great Leighs: shutters on uPVC

New-build homes can take shutters, but check the recess and the handles before you pick a style. Chelmsford’s list of major housing sites includes West Chelmsford with “up to 880 new homes”, North of Broomfield with “up to 512 dwellings” and Great Leighs with “up to 800 homes”.

Some new homes have uPVC windows that open by tilt and turn. Look at:

Recess depth. Some uPVC windows sit close to the room side of the wall, which leaves less room inside the recess. We measure that depth before we suggest a style.
Handle depth. A tall handle can stop a panel closing flat.
Tilt and turn clearance. A window that tips inwards needs the panels fully open first.
Estate rules. Some developers or management companies set rules on the look from the street.

For tall windows, full height shutters run from top to bottom, with a mid-rail if needed. We measure each window as we find it, because two houses of one type can still differ.

9. Garden and patio doors in Chelmsford: sliding shutters and the space beside them

For wide garden or patio doors, sliding or folding panels on a track can be a good fit, because they move clear of the doorway. Hinged panels can get in the way of a door that opens inwards. Before you decide, check:

How much wall there is beside the doors for the panels to rest.
Whether your doors slide, fold or swing inwards.
How far the handles stick out.
Radiators or sockets on the wall where the panels would sit.

Our page on sliding shutters for garden doors shows how the track works.

10. Tilt rods and cords: child safety with shutters in a Chelmsford family home

On most full height and tier on tier shutters, the standard way to tilt the louvres is a solid rod fixed to the panel, so the mechanism is cord free. Some sliding, bi-fold and cafe style set-ups can use a cord or chain, depending on the product. Ask how a style opens before you choose it for a child’s room. You can read what BS EN 13120 says about shutters on our guide page.

11. Your free measuring visit for shutters in Chelmsford: what to have ready

Our visit and quote are free, and we give the price on site once every window is measured. Have these ready:

Any reply from the council, landlord, freeholder or managing agent.
A list of rooms and windows you want shutters for.
Clear sills and catches that work, so each window can be opened.
A rough idea of louvre size and material.

We measure each recess and talk through which style suits each window. For other towns in the county, see our page on shutters across Essex.

Speak to us about window shutters in Chelmsford

Call or email us with your Chelmsford postcode and the rooms you have in mind.

Phone: 07852 257 307
Email: info@londonblinds4u.co.uk
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm

You can also use our contact page to get in touch and book your free measuring visit.

Shutters in Chelmsford: other questions worth asking

Q: Can shutters go in front of double glazed windows in a Chelmsford home?

Yes. Shutters are fitted inside the room, in front of the glass, so they sit happily with double glazing. If the home is listed, ask the council first, as in check 2.

Q: Should new windows go in before shutters in a Chelmsford house?

If you are replacing windows soon, it can make sense to wait. We measure shutters to the window as it is on the day. A new frame can change the depth or the handle position.

Q: Which louvre size suits shutters on a Chelmsford sash or casement?

It depends on the size of the glass and how much view you want. We offer four widths:

47 mm, the slimmest, which can suit small panes.
63 mm, a middle size.
89 mm, which lets more view through when open.
114 mm, the widest, which can suit large windows and doors.

Q: Basswood or PVC shutters for a Chelmsford home?

Both are on offer. Basswood is a real wood. PVC, also called faux wood, is offered for extra strength. If you are torn between them, ask us about both at the visit.

Q: Can I have shutters in just one or two rooms of my Chelmsford home?

Yes. You could start with a front bedroom or a street-facing bay and add more later. We measure and quote for the rooms you choose.

Q: Do shutters and curtains work together in a Chelmsford living room?

They can. Some people keep curtains for colour, with shutters behind them for privacy. Your curtain track needs to clear the panels when they open. Our guide comparing shutters or curtains looks at both.