Light lines around louvres and frames are what stop most bedrooms getting properly dark. Pair blackout shutters with a built‑in cassette so the seal happens at the frame, not out in the room. The blind sits behind the shutter panels and works as one unit. We make everything to measure, and our carpenters install it. You get a 10‑year guarantee and local support across London and the South‑East. This setup suits bedrooms, nurseries, loft rooms and east-facing windows where early light is a problem.
Get a room-specific plan and price: Request a survey slot. See integrated options in Our Ranges.
They’re plantation shutters with an integrated honeycomb blackout blind fitted between the window and the shutter frame. The cassette and side channels help seal typical light paths at the frame and sill. They also reduce light along louvre edges. It works as one tidy, cord‑free unit that suits bedrooms and nurseries.
That position blocks typical light ingress at the corners and the sill. It has no cords for child safety, and the blind hides when not in use so the window looks clean. We check for handle and trickle vent clashes, so the cassette sits clean and the louvres still tilt.
See integrated options in Our Ranges.
Shutters dim a room, but they don’t create full darkness on their own. Light slips through louvres and panel gaps, especially at dawn and from street lighting. Adding a built‑in blackout blind closes those gaps and brings the room close to blackout while keeping the same elegant shutter look. We torch‑test the corners and the sill during the survey to spot light leaks and specify the blind cassette and guides to close them. That’s why many bedrooms use a built‑in blackout setup.
Built‑in systems have a slim profile, and you operate a single unit. The edge seal is tighter for darker rooms, and the design has no cords for child safety.
Layered setups pair shutters with curtains for a softer, fabric‑led look and extra insulation. They add bulk at the window, and you operate two layers.
Small bedrooms, nurseries, loft rooms and east‑facing windows tend to suit built‑in systems. Larger bays or dress‑led schemes can suit a layered approach. A survey confirms the best fit. Blackout shutters give you a darker result without heavy fabrics.
Common mistakes we fix: We are often called to fix light lines where a blind was added after the shutters. The issue sits at the corners and the sill because the frame never allowed for a cassette. We design the shutter and blind together, so those paths are sealed from the start.
Frame siting: fit inside the reveal where possible and confirm sill and architrave clearance.
Cassette and channels: a tight cassette and side channels help reduce light lines at corners and the sill.
Panel and louvre clearance: ensure louvres clear the blind fabric when tilted.
Seals and test: check for light at night before sign‑off, then adjust if needed.
Child safety: choose the cord‑free integrated cassette.
Finish and colour: keep street‑facing frames neutral and choose from the available palette.
Material compatibility: available across selected MDF and hardwood ranges.
Fixings: anchor into a suitable substrate and confirm hinge spacing on wider panels. Installer’s note: On wider panels we space hinges to prevent twist and test tilt to confirm louvre clearance against the blind. For bay windows we template each section, so the cassette and side channels meet without light lines at the joints. Get the spec right, and blackout shutters reduce light bleed consistently.
We measure the reveal, check squareness on both diagonals, and note bowing at the sill. We confirm where the integrated cassette with frame-mounted guides can sit without clashing with handles or vents. If the reveal will not take a cassette cleanly, we propose the layered route. We record reveal dimensions and hardware details for the workshop spec.
With a well‑fitted integrated system, most bedrooms reach near‑total darkness. Results depend on window condition, reveal depth, and how tightly the cassette and channels sit. Dawn light and streetlamps usually leak at the corners and the sill. The cassette and channels close those paths. The survey confirms what’s achievable in your room and the best way to seal the usual light paths.
They’re a strong choice for bedrooms and nurseries. The integrated blind reduces dawn light and removes light lines around the panels. Operation is smooth and cord‑free. This setup works well for nurseries and shift‑work sleep schedules. It also helps if you prefer a darker room during bright evenings or early mornings. You still control privacy and daylight in normal use.
You can retrofit in some cases. Older frames were not designed to house a cassette and channels. Many installations need new made‑to‑measure frames to integrate the blind correctly. Newer setups may accept an upgrade. A brief survey confirms if it’s viable and what it will cost. Retrofit depends on reveal depth and hardware. If handles or trickle vents clash with the cassette, we recommend a layered route.
The honeycomb blind adds a small, insulated layer that helps stabilise temperature and reduce glare. In daily use you can tilt louvres for daylight and close the blind fully for sleep. Darkness depends on fit and on the window. Blackout shutters keep the window neat while delivering that darkness.
Price varies by window size and count, and by sash or bay layout. Material (MDF or hardwood), blind colour, and any angles or curves also affect cost. Lead time depends on specification and schedule.
A surveyor with a carpentry background visits, confirms reveal depth and cassette position, and shows samples. You receive a written plan with frame type, blind colour and pricing, then we schedule installation and support it with a 10‑year guarantee.
Book a short home survey. We’ll confirm the spec at your window, send a written plan and price, then schedule a clean install with a 10‑year guarantee.
Request a survey slot or explore integrated options in Our Ranges.
