If you are shopping around for window treatments, you may have noticed that plantation shutters often come in sets of different sizes. It can be difficult to decide whether you want 63mm, 89mm, or 114mm when buying them. You may be tempted to make this decision purely based on what looks the best in a show room; However, it is important to consider how they will look and function when installed.
So, what size louvre do I need? Well, in most cases, for the average Australian home with standard-sized windows, an 89mm louvre is the perfect balance of letting in the right amount of light and providing privacy while still being able to see out clearly. However, if you have smaller than average bathroom windows, or very small framed windows, or very large glass sliding doors, then it’s best to go with either a 63mm or 114mm blade.
At Blinds by Design we have spent more than 25 years helping the residents of Central West NSW and the Hunter regions get this balance right. Here at Blinds by Design, we aim to give you a guideline that takes into account your window proportions, your requirement of space and privacy, and your day-to-day life.
What Does Louvre Size Mean on Plantation Shutters?
When window furnishing contractors use the term ‘plantation shutter louvre sizes’, they are actually referring to the measurements of the depth of the blade.
The size directly relates to two important features:
- Visual spacing: The number of blades that will fit in a single panel.
- Operational clearance: How much the blade can open and close when you open and close the shutter.
A wider louvre allows for fewer blades to be used in a window. When opened, the gaps between the wider blades allow for a more unobstructed view. Whereas a narrower louvre requires more blades to be used per panel and creates a more traditional look when opened.
What Are the Common Plantation Shutter Louvre Sizes?
In the Australian market there are 3 standard louvre widths for custom plantation shutters:
- 63mm is the traditional slim profile.
- 89mm is the modern standard.
- 114mm is the latest and largest profile available for a truly contemporary look.
63 mm vs 89mm vs 114mm Plantation Shutters
In order to better describe the differences between the two, we have listed a few of their common applications and characteristics below. Please note that actual product dimensions and installation requirements may vary slightly depending on the specific system selected.
| Louvre Size | Typical Characteristics | Suitable Applications | Advantages | Considerations |
| 63mm | Narrower louvres requiring more blades per panel. | Smaller windows, traditional homes, privacy-focused spaces. | Excellent privacy control; fits neatly into shallower window reveals. | Can look busy or “heavy” on very large windows due to the high number of blades. |
| 89mm | Mid-sized louvres with moderate spacing. | General residential applications, standard bedrooms, and living areas. | Provides a highly balanced mix of outside views, light, and privacy. | Requires adequate window clearance to tilt fully without hitting glass or handles. |
| 114mm | Wider louvres with significant gaps between open blades. | Large windows, wide sliding doors, and broad architectural views. | Fewer louvres create a clean, open visual appearance; maximises natural light. | Needs deeper window frames for flush mounting; offers slightly less granular privacy control. |
Is 89mm the Best All-Round Louvre Size?
The 89mm blade is Australia’s standard for a good reason. It’s very versatile for most average-sized windows in your home.
When opened, the 89mm creates big gaps, allowing in lots of natural light and airflow while still being able to angle back to stop harsh sunlight glaring through the openings. From street view the 89mm in a plantation shutter is a great size, not overpowering for modern renovations or new builds.
However, we wouldn’t refer to it as the best. The window’s physical depth and the room it’s placed in have to be taken into consideration when installing it on a specific architectural structure.
When Is a 63mm Louvre the Better Choice?
While rare in contemporary open-plan homes, the 63mm louvre has its place.
- Smaller windows: on a small (narrow) window such as might be found in a powder room or older laundry, an 89mm blade may give the illusion of a window with very few louvres (if the window is only big enough to take one or two blades). A 63mm blade maintains a nice ratio.
- Traditional interiors: In older homes of a more traditional design, such as the double brick delights of days gone by prevalent around Bathurst and Orange, a 63mm blade is the perfect match for ornate architraves and other traditional features.
- Strict privacy: Blinds with closer blades allow you to create an opening that lets in light but not vision from the street.
When Should You Choose a 114mm Louvre?
The biggest blade option provides more scale and better visibility. You want to go for the 114mm louvre in the following cases:
- Big windows and sliding doors: Big glass panels need bigger scale. Using an 114 mm blade, you avoid getting a distracting effect from the window shutter.
- Strong outside views: If you have spectacular views over a Central West property or want to capture views of the Blue Mountains, the 114mm louvre offers the best solution. With fewer blades per panel, the obstruction to vision when the shutters are fully open is significantly reduced.
- Contemporary visual openness: Modern, minimalist interiors are enhanced by the clean, uncluttered horizontal lines that wider blades provide.
How Window Size and Clearance Affect Louvre Choice
Choosing a plantation shutter louvre size is not just a matter of personal preference; it is also a matter of physics. Because when you open up a louvre in a plantation shutter, the trailing edge will stick out beyond the shutter frame.
If you want your shutters to mount inside the window frame (a reveal fit), then your window frames need to have a reveal deep enough to allow for the thickness of the louvre blades at their angle of operation.
- A 63mm louvre requires less reveal depth to be mounted on inside shallow frames.
- An 89mm louvre needs a modest clearance.
- A 114mm louvre needs a deep window to allow full rotation without hitting the reveal.
You then need to consider window winders, locks, mullions, handles, etc. If a handle projects into a space where a 114mm louvre would normally swing, then the blade of the opener will clash, in this instance, we would advise a reduction to 89mm or fitting the product as a face-fit frame, i.e., mounted to the wall outside the window reveal.
Which Louvre Size Is Best for Different Rooms?
To help you to choose the louvre width, here is a general guide as to which sizes are appropriate for different rooms in the house:
- Bedrooms: 89mm is recommended. This provides a good balance between light control and privacy whilst still allowing the room to appear modern.
- Living Rooms: 89mm or 114mm. Your living room will have bigger windows letting more light in, so bigger blades mean more light.
- Bathroom: 63mm or 89mm. Small windows and privacy are big concerns in the bathroom, so the closer together the blinds are, the better.
- Sliding Doors: 89mm or 114mm. Tracking shutters over sliding doors should always be mounted on the larger side to make the window opening look bigger. A 114mm louvre would make a better choice than an 89mm one, because it won’t make the opening feel so cramped.
Can You Use Different Louvre Sizes Around the Same Home?
Many homeowners will ask you if they have to have one-size-blade for the whole house. The answer is no, although it is not recommended.
Having the same-size louvre over the frontage of your home is important for “kerb appeal”; you don’t want a mishmash of 63 mm blades next to 114 mm blades on the street facade.
Nevertheless, it is quite common practice to use an 89 mm blade on standard bedrooms at the front of the house and a 114 mm blade on large living rooms or sliding doors at the back of the house overlooking the garden.
What About Timber vs PolySatin Plantation Shutters?
While narrowing on the best option for your blades, you must also consider the shutter material, as it plays an equally critical role.
If you are desiring a traditional and natural look for your living rooms and bedrooms, plantation shutters are the lightest options, allowing you to go with wider 89 mm and 114 mm blade spans.
For wet environments such as bathrooms or laundries, or for coastal homes in the regions of Belmont and Lake Macquarie, which are exposed to greater levels of humidity than other areas, moisture resistant PolySatin plantation shutters are a fantastic choice. They won’t blister, peel or fade, so you can be confident that the louvre profile you select will retain its shape for years to come. Browse our range of plantation shutters to discover the perfect fit for your home.
Plantation Shutters vs Blinds: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Sometimes the subtleties of the difference in louvre sizes can be enough to convince homeowners to abandon their plans to install shutters. If you have especially problematic windows with particularly short reveals, and you are unsure whether you can install shutters without them sticking out in the room, you may want to compare them to other options.
Read our guide on Plantation Shutters Vs Blinds: Which Adds More Value To Your Home? to help weigh up the long-term benefits of each option.
How We Help You Choose the Right Louvre Size
At Blinds by Design we don’t want you to remember clearance measurements or try to work out which blade will clear your window winders.
When you come to us for a blind consultation our experienced team will come to your home to measure your window reveals, assess your handles and locks, and discuss your primary needs, be it a view, street privacy or perhaps keeping out that pesky afternoon glare.
As a company that installs custom window furnishings in Bathurst, Orange, and the wider Central West and Lake Macquarie areas, we know just how much your local climate and the architectural styles of Australian homes play a role in what you’re likely to choose.
Final Answer: Which Louvre Size Should You Choose?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to what louvre size is best for plantation shutters, but you should have no trouble deciding which is best for you based on the following information:
- Select 63mm for very small windows, shallow frames, heavy emphasis on privacy, or heritage-style homes.
- Choose an 89mm profile if you want a versatile modern standard with good privacy, light and space for every day residential windows
- Choose a 114mm profile if you have large glass surfaces and need a modern frame to maximise the uninterrupted outside view.
Should you want to be absolutely certain of what width blade you require, or simply check your existing window measurement(s) first before deciding on which model window awning you wish to purchase, call us today. Our team is here to help provide expert advice and a no-obligation measure and quote on your home’s requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular size for plantation shutter louvres?
The 89mm louvre is our most popular louvre size, with a versatile balance of great views, light control and privacy, making it perfect for the majority of standard windows and doors.
Are 63mm or 89mm plantation shutters better?
Neither is universally better; it depends on the window. An 89 mm louvre is better for standard bedrooms and living areas where a good balance of light, outlook and privacy is required. A 63 mm is better for smaller windows, shallow window reveals and traditional-style homes.
Are larger plantation shutter louvres better for views?
Yes. Bigger louvres, like the 114mm blade, mean there are likely to be fewer blades horizontally in a panel. The shutters, when opened, would give a less obstructed view from the inside looking out due to the bigger gap between the horizontal slats.
What louvre size is best for small windows?
A 63mm louvre is ideal for smaller windows. This allows for a greater number of slats that would appear proportional in the finished panel, preventing an odd or disproportionate appearance such as only having 2 or 3 large louvres.
Can I use different plantation shutter louvre sizes in different rooms?
Yes, you can have different sizes, but it is best to be consistent on the exterior facade. You can have 89mm louvres on street-facing bedrooms and larger 114mm louvres on your rear living rooms and wide sliding doors where you want to maximise the view.