A Practical Sliding Shutter Solution

Bypass shutters are an excellent solution for wide openings, patio doors and sliding doors where space within the room is limited. Unlike bifold shutters, bypass panels slide past one another on separate tracks, rather than folding out into the room.

This makes them particularly useful in areas where there isn’t enough clearance for panels to swing open, while still delivering the clean, architectural finish that shutters are known for.

How Do Bypass Shutters Work?

Bypass shutters operate on a tracked system. Each panel runs on its own track, allowing the doors to slide neatly in front of one another.

For example, you may have:

• Three panels running on three separate tracks
• Four panels running on four tracks

When opened, the panels stack one in front of the other rather than folding back. This creates a streamlined sliding movement that mirrors the action of sliding patio doors behind them.

Bypass vs Bifold Shutters

The key difference between bypass and bifold shutters is how they open.

• Bifold shutters fold and stack to one or both sides of the opening.
• Bypass shutters slide past each other on parallel tracks.

If you have limited room depth and cannot allow panels to swing into the room, bypass shutters can be a more practical alternative.

However, because panels slide in front of one another, there will always be at least one panel width covering part of the opening.

Important Space Considerations

Bypass shutters require a suitable recess depth to accommodate multiple tracks. Each additional panel means another track, and these do take up physical space.

It’s also essential to account for:

• Window or door handles
• Sliding door handles, which are often larger than standard handles
• The overall projection of the track system

During your consultation, we carefully measure and assess whether a bypass configuration is suitable for your opening.

Louvre & Design Options

Bypass shutters are available with 63mm, 76mm or 89mm louvre sizes, allowing you to maintain consistency with shutters elsewhere in your home.

They are supplied with a mid-rail break as standard, meaning you can operate the top and bottom sections of louvres independently.

This is particularly useful for:

• Maintaining privacy at lower levels
• Allowing light in through the upper section
• Reducing visual triggers for reactive pets

Insulation & Performance Benefits

Like all plantation shutters, bypass shutters provide an additional barrier across your glazing, helping to regulate temperature and improve comfort.

• Helps reduce heat loss during colder months
• Assists in limiting solar gain in warmer weather
• Can contribute to improved sound insulation

When fitted neatly within the recess, they create a substantial and effective window covering solution.

A Unique & Contemporary Finish

For homes with sliding patio doors, bypass shutters can mirror the movement of the doors themselves, creating a cohesive and visually interesting design feature.

The sliding action feels natural and integrated, making bypass shutters both practical and architecturally appealing.

Bypass Shutters at a Glance

• Panels slide past each other on separate tracks
• Ideal where space is limited for swinging panels
• Available in 63mm, 76mm and 89mm louvres
• Mid-rail break for independent top and bottom control
• Suitable for patio doors and wide openings
• Provides insulation benefits
• Requires sufficient recess depth for track system