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Published by DIY Easyfit Shutters | Home Improvement & Window Treatments
If you’ve started shopping for plantation shutters, you’ve probably already encountered the question: what louver size should I choose? It sounds like a small detail, but the size of your louvers (also spelled “louvres”) has a surprisingly big impact on how your shutters look, how much light they let in, how much privacy you get, and how easy they are to maintain.
The good news is there’s no universally “wrong” answer — but there is a best answer for your specific windows and lifestyle. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the right call.
What Is a Louver, Exactly?
The louvers are the horizontal slats that run across your plantation shutter panels. They tilt open and closed to control light and airflow, and they’re the defining visual feature of the plantation shutter style.
Louver sizes are measured by the width of each individual slat, and they typically come in three standard sizes:
- 63mm — Small/traditional
- 89mm — Medium/standard
- 114mm — Large/contemporary
Each size creates a noticeably different look and offers different practical advantages depending on your windows, room, and personal style.
Breaking Down Each Louver Size
63mm Louvers — Classic and Detailed
The smallest standard louver size, 63mm slats give shutters a more traditional, detailed look. Because there are more slats per panel, the shutter has a busier, more layered appearance that suits heritage homes, cottages, and period-style interiors beautifully.
Best for:
- Smaller windows (bathroom windows, narrow sidelights, fanlights)
- Period, federation, or heritage-style homes
- Rooms where a classic, detailed aesthetic is desired
- Windows where maximum light control and privacy is a priority
Things to consider:
- More slats means more to clean — dusting 63mm louvers takes more time
- On large windows, the denser appearance can feel busy or cluttered
- The tighter slat spacing means slightly less natural light when fully open compared to larger sizes
89mm Louvers — The Most Versatile Choice
The 89mm louver is the most popular size for good reason — it sits comfortably in the middle ground between traditional and contemporary, making it the most versatile option available. It works across a wide range of home styles and window sizes without looking out of place.
Best for:
- Medium to large windows
- Most modern Australian homes
- Living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas
- Anyone who wants a balanced look without overthinking it
Things to consider:
- A genuinely flexible choice that suits most situations
- Easier to clean than 63mm due to fewer, wider slats
- Allows more light through when open compared to 63mm
- Works well with both classic and contemporary interiors
If you’re unsure which size to go with, 89mm is almost always a safe and stylish default.
114mm Louvers — Bold and Contemporary
The largest standard louver size, 114mm slats create a bold, open, and modern aesthetic. With fewer slats per panel, the shutter has a cleaner, more streamlined appearance that suits contemporary homes, large windows, and open-plan living spaces perfectly.
Best for:
- Large windows, bi-fold windows, and floor-to-ceiling glazing
- Modern and contemporary home designs
- Living areas where maximising the view and light is a priority
- Anyone who wants a clean, minimal look
Things to consider:
- The fewest slats per panel makes these the easiest to clean and maintain
- Maximises natural light and view when open
- Can look disproportionate on smaller windows — scale matters
- Creates a real statement in open-plan spaces
How to Choose the Right Size for Your Windows
Consider the Size of Your Window
This is the single most important factor. As a general rule:
- Small windows (under 600mm wide) → 63mm or 89mm
- Medium windows (600mm–1200mm wide) → 89mm
- Large windows (over 1200mm wide) → 89mm or 114mm
- Floor-to-ceiling or bi-fold windows → 114mm
Putting large 114mm louvers on a small bathroom window will look awkward and oversized. Equally, fitting 63mm louvers across a large living room window will look overly fussy and traditional when a clean contemporary look might suit the space far better.
Match Your Home’s Architectural Style
Your shutters should complement the overall character of your home.
- Heritage, federation, or period homes → 63mm for authenticity and detail
- Hamptons, coastal, or transitional homes → 89mm for that classic-meets-casual balance
- Contemporary, modern, or minimalist homes → 114mm for clean lines and visual impact
Think About Light and Privacy
Larger louvers allow more light through when open but offer slightly less granular control over light levels. Smaller louvers give you finer adjustment but reduce maximum light when open.
If you’re fitting shutters in a room that needs strong privacy (like a ground-floor bedroom facing a busy street), smaller louvers offer slightly better coverage. For a living area where you want to flood the room with natural light, larger louvers do the job beautifully.
Don’t Forget About Cleaning
This might seem trivial, but if you’re someone who finds cleaning a chore, louver size genuinely matters. Larger louvers mean fewer slats and faster dusting — a significant advantage in high-dust rooms or large homes with many windows.
Viewing Distance Matters Too
Here’s a tip that’s often overlooked: the distance from which your shutters are typically viewed affects which louver size looks best.
If you’re mostly seeing your shutters from across a large room, larger louvers will have more visual impact and look more proportionate. If the window is in a smaller space like an ensuite or study where you’re always close to it, medium or smaller louvers can look more refined and detailed.
What About Panel Width?
Louver size and panel width work together. Wider panels pair better with larger louvers — a wide panel with tiny 63mm louvers will look like it has dozens of slats stacked on top of each other. As a general guide:
- Panels up to 400mm wide → 63mm or 89mm louvers
- Panels 400mm–600mm wide → 89mm louvers
- Panels over 600mm wide → 89mm or 114mm louvers
Why Material Matters Just as Much as Size
Choosing the right louver size is only half the equation. The material your shutters are made from will determine how well they hold their shape, resist moisture, and stand the test of time — regardless of which size you choose.
DIY Easyfit Shutters offers three exceptional shutter ranges, each suited to different environments and priorities:
🔩 Aluminium Reinforced Plantation Shutters
Available in multiple louver sizes, the Aluminium Reinforced Plantation Shutters from DIY Easyfit Shutters are engineered with an internal aluminium core running through each louvre and stile. This reinforcement is particularly important if you’re choosing larger louvers or wider panels — the aluminium spine prevents bowing, sagging, and warping that can affect unreinforced shutters over time.
Perfect for:
- Large windows requiring wide panels
- Areas with high traffic and frequent shutter use
- Anyone wanting shutters that maintain their shape for the long haul
- Homeowners who’ve had issues with sagging shutters in the past
The structural integrity of these shutters means your louvers will stay perfectly aligned and operate smoothly for years — no drooping, no sticking, no frustration.
💪 Durable Plantation Shutters
The Durable Plantation Shutters range is built for households that demand longevity. Whether you’re choosing 63mm, 89mm, or 114mm louvers, these shutters are constructed to withstand the rigours of daily life without losing their good looks or structural integrity.
Perfect for:
- Busy family homes with kids and pets
- High-traffic rooms like living areas and hallways
- Anyone investing in shutters they won’t need to replace for decades
- Windows that get used constantly throughout the day
When you’re investing in plantation shutters — especially across multiple rooms — you want to know they’ll still look and perform beautifully years down the track. That’s exactly what this range delivers.
🌊 Poly Plantation Shutters
Moisture is the enemy of most shutter materials, and if you’re fitting shutters in wet areas of your home, your louver size choice needs to be matched with the right material. The Poly Plantation Shutters from DIY Easyfit Shutters are made from a waterproof polymer that won’t absorb moisture, warp, swell, or rot — no matter how steamy your bathroom or kitchen gets.
Perfect for:
- Bathrooms and ensuites
- Kitchens and laundries
- Coastal homes exposed to salt air and humidity
- Any area where moisture exposure is a regular concern
Because poly shutters don’t change shape with humidity, your louvers will always tilt smoothly and sit perfectly straight — which is especially important for smaller louvers where even minor warping is noticeable.
A Quick Decision Guide
| Window Size | Home Style | Recommended Louver | Recommended Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (bathroom, hallway) | Any | 63mm | Poly (wet areas) |
| Medium (bedroom, study) | Traditional | 63mm–89mm | Durable or Aluminium Reinforced |
| Medium (bedroom, study) | Modern | 89mm | Durable or Aluminium Reinforced |
| Large (living room) | Contemporary | 89mm–114mm | Aluminium Reinforced |
| Floor-to-ceiling / bi-fold | Modern | 114mm | Aluminium Reinforced |
| Coastal or humid areas | Any | Any | Poly |
Installing It Yourself Has Never Been Easier
One of the biggest advantages of choosing DIY Easyfit Shutters is that their entire range is designed for easy self-installation. Whether you choose 63mm, 89mm, or 114mm louvers, the shutters come ready to fit with clear step-by-step instructions — no tradesperson required, no guesswork, and no expensive installation quotes.
This makes it genuinely accessible to upgrade your windows at your own pace, room by room, without blowing your budget.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right louver size comes down to four key questions:
- How big is your window? — Scale your louver size accordingly.
- What style is your home? — Match the aesthetic of your space.
- How much light do you want? — Larger louvers = more light when open.
- What environment are you fitting them in? — Match your material to the conditions.
Get these four things right and you’ll have plantation shutters that look like they were made for your home — because, in a sense, they were.
Whether you’re after the structural strength of the Aluminium Reinforced range, the everyday toughness of the Durable Shutters, or the waterproof reliability of the Poly Shutters, DIY Easyfit Shutters has the perfect match for your windows — in the exact louver size you need.
Browse the full range and find your perfect fit at diyeasyfitshutters.com.au
