A Brackley Installation
Can Shutters Work Around a Kitchen Sink?
Kitchen windows have to work a little harder than most.
When your window sits directly behind the sink, you’re not only thinking about how the finished window covering will look. There’s a tap in the way, water splashes to contend with, steam and humidity in the room, window handles that still need to work and, of course, a window you may actually want to open.
So, can shutters really work behind a kitchen sink?
Yes, they can.
We recently fitted made-to-measure UPVC shutters to a kitchen window in Brackley, directly behind the sink. It’s a great example of how shutters can provide flexible light control and privacy in a busy kitchen, provided the window, surrounding space and practical requirements are all considered before they’re fitted.
What Makes a Kitchen Sink Window Different?
Choosing a window covering for a kitchen sink isn’t simply a matter of measuring the glass.
The whole area needs to be considered, including:
- The position and height of the tap
- How far the tap projects from the sink
- Whether the tap swivels
- The position of window handles
- How the window opens
- The available depth around the window
- The clearance needed for shutter panels to operate
- The surrounding worktop and tiles
- Exposure to splashes, steam and humidity
In other words, the shutters need to work with the whole sink area, not simply fit the dimensions of the window.
That’s one of the reasons having the window professionally measured before choosing your shutters is particularly useful in a kitchen.
Why Can Shutters Work So Well in a Kitchen?
There’s obviously an aesthetic reason for choosing shutters. Their clean lines can work beautifully alongside kitchen cabinetry and make the window feel like an integral part of the room.
But there are some very practical reasons too.
Flexible Light Control
Shutters don’t simply give you a choice between an uncovered window and a covered one.
The louvres can be adjusted to change the amount and direction of daylight entering the room. That can be particularly useful when bright or low sunlight is coming directly through a kitchen window.
Privacy Without Losing All Your Daylight
If your kitchen is on the ground floor or overlooked by neighbouring properties, you may want some privacy without making the room unnecessarily dark.
Adjusting the louvres allows you to find a balance between the two.
No Loose Fabric Around the Sink
There’s no fabric hanging down towards a wet worktop or sitting close to the taps.
They’re Easy to Maintain
Kitchen window coverings inevitably encounter dust, cooking residue and the occasional splash. Our UPVC shutters are low maintenance and can simply be wiped down when required.
They’re Moisture Resistant
Perhaps most importantly for a kitchen, our shutters are made from UPVC and are specifically suitable for humid environments.
You can find out more about the colours, styles and features available on our Shutters page.
Will the Kitchen Tap Get in the Way of the Shutters?
Not necessarily, but it is something that needs to be considered before the shutters are specified.
A tall kitchen tap sitting immediately in front of the window is an obvious potential obstacle, particularly if the shutter panels need to open into the room.
We need to consider things such as the height of the tap, how far it projects, whether it swivels and how much clearance is available between the tap and the window.
The position and movement of the shutter panels also matter. There needs to be enough room for everything to work together without one interfering with the other.
That’s exactly why this Brackley installation is such a useful example. The kitchen has a sink and tap immediately in front of the window, but the shutters have been measured and configured to work within the available space.
Having a tap in front of your window doesn’t automatically rule shutters out.
Can You Still Open the Window With Shutters Fitted?
You should be able to use your window, not simply admire it behind your new shutters.
Before shutters are fitted, we need to consider how the existing window operates. That includes which sections open, the direction they open in, where the handles sit and the clearance required by the shutter panels themselves.
Every window is different, so there isn’t one configuration that works everywhere.
During a home measure appointment, we can look at the actual window and surrounding space and take its operation into account when discussing the available options.
Are UPVC Shutters Suitable for a Humid Kitchen?
Yes, and this is one of the reasons UPVC shutters can be particularly well suited to kitchens.
Think about what happens in the average kitchen during the course of a day. The kettle boils, pans simmer, the dishwasher runs, hot water fills the sink and temperatures change as you cook.
All of that can contribute to a humid environment.
Our UPVC shutters are moisture resistant and are specifically designed not to warp, crack or swell in humid conditions, making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms as well as other rooms around the home.
That means we’re not simply asking whether shutters look good behind a kitchen sink. We’re also choosing a material suited to the environment they’re going to live in.
What About Water Splashes Around the Sink?
Even the most careful among us occasionally send water somewhere it wasn’t intended to go.
A window directly behind the sink is naturally more likely to encounter the odd splash than one at the other end of the room.
Again, this is where UPVC is a practical choice.
The shutters are moisture resistant and easy to maintain, requiring a simple wipe down to keep them clean.
That makes them a practical option for a busy area where a completely splash-free existence probably isn’t realistic.
Do Kitchen Shutters Give You Privacy Without Making the Room Dark?
They can.
One of the advantages of adjustable louvres is that privacy and daylight don’t have to be an either/or decision.
You can alter the angle of the louvres to reduce the view into your kitchen while still allowing natural light through the window.
That can be particularly useful if your kitchen faces a road, neighbouring property, shared access or an overlooked garden.
When privacy isn’t an issue and you want more natural light, you can simply adjust them again.
The result is much greater control over what the window is doing throughout the day without necessarily covering it completely.
Are Kitchen Shutters Easy to Keep Clean?
Kitchens are working rooms. Steam, dust, cooking residue and splashes happen, so it’s worth thinking about how easy your window covering will be to maintain before choosing it.
Our UPVC shutters are designed to be low maintenance and can be cleaned with a simple wipe down.
There’s no fabric to launder or remove, which makes routine cleaning straightforward.
A Recent Kitchen Shutter Installation in Brackley
Our recent Brackley installation brings all of these practical considerations together.
The shutters sit directly behind the kitchen sink, so the relationship between the window, tap and shutters all had to be considered when the window was measured.
The finished shutters fit neatly within the space while giving the homeowner adjustable control over both daylight and privacy.
The UPVC construction also means the shutters are well suited to the moisture and changing humidity you’d expect in a kitchen environment.
And, of course, there’s the finished appearance.
Shutters have a clean, structured look that can sit particularly well alongside kitchen units, worktops and other fitted elements. Rather than looking like something added to the window afterwards, they can become part of the overall kitchen design.
Why Does Made-to-Measure Matter Behind a Kitchen Sink?
A kitchen sink window is a perfect example of why width and height aren’t always enough.
We need to look at the window and everything immediately around it.
That can include:
- Recess depth
- Tap position
- Window handles
- Opening direction
- Available clearance
- Tiles and worktops
- Fixing positions
- Privacy requirements
- The amount of light control you want
At Gillian’s Blinds, we provide a free home measuring and fitting service, and our shutters are tailored to the individual requirements of the home.
That means you don’t need to stand in the kitchen with a tape measure trying to calculate whether your tap is going to scupper your shutter plans.
We’ll come and look.
Are Shutters the Only Option for a Kitchen Sink Window?
No.
Shutters can be a very practical solution, but the right window covering depends on your particular kitchen, window and priorities.
You may prefer blinds, want something that takes up less space around the window or have a window configuration that suits another solution better.
The important thing is not to start with the assumption that there’s one ‘correct’ type of kitchen window covering.
Think about what you need in terms of privacy, daylight, cleaning, moisture resistance and everyday operation, and then look at the options that can deliver it.
You can explore some of those alternatives on our Kitchen Blinds page.
Kitchen Shutters: Frequently Asked Questions
Are UPVC Shutters Better Suited to Humid Rooms Than Wooden Shutters?
Different shutter materials have different characteristics, so we wouldn’t suggest that one material is automatically right for every home.
However, our UPVC shutters are specifically moisture resistant and designed not to warp, crack or swell in humid environments. That’s one of the reasons they’re particularly well suited to kitchens and bathrooms.
Will Shutters Make a Small Kitchen Feel Darker?
Not necessarily.
Because the louvres are adjustable, you can choose how much daylight enters the room rather than permanently covering the window with a solid surface.
Colour will also affect the overall appearance. Our UPVC shutters are available in a variety of styles and colours, including classic white and more contemporary shades.
Can UPVC Shutters Help Insulate a Kitchen Window?
UPVC shutters provide an additional layer at the window and have insulating properties that can help keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
The actual effect will naturally depend on the individual window, room and property.
Can Shutters Help With Glare While I'm Working in the Kitchen?
Adjustable louvres give you control over the amount and direction of incoming daylight.
If bright sunlight is causing glare on a worktop or another surface, changing the angle of the louvres can help you manage the light without necessarily having to make the whole kitchen dark.
How Quickly Can Gillian's Blinds Fit New Shutters?
Because we use a trusted UK manufacturer, we currently offer shutters fitted within 21 days of ordering.
We’ll explain the current timescale when you order so you know what to expect.
Are Shutters Suitable for a Kitchen That Gets Very Steamy?
UPVC shutters are particularly useful in humid environments.
The shutters we supply are moisture resistant and designed not to warp, crack or swell when exposed to humidity, making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Can I Choose a Shutter Colour to Work With My Kitchen?
Yes. Our UPVC shutters are available in a choice of colours and styles, allowing you to choose an option that works with your kitchen décor.
Thinking About Shutters for Your Kitchen?
If you love the look of shutters but you’re staring at the tap in front of your kitchen window thinking, “They’re never going to fit there,” don’t rule them out.
You don’t need to work out the clearances, shutter configuration or exact measurements yourself.
Gillian’s Blinds offers a free home measure and fitting service. We’ll look at the complete window area, including your taps, handles, opening mechanism and surrounding space, and talk you through what’s practical for your kitchen.
Our premium UPVC shutters are moisture resistant, low maintenance, available in a choice of colours and styles and supplied through a trusted UK manufacturer.
Gillian’s Blinds has been helping homeowners across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes since 1989. Our showroom is at 12 Low Farm Place, Northampton, NN3 6HY.
To arrange your free home measure and quotation, call our friendly team on 01604 646007, email [email protected] or complete our contact form.
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- 12 Low Farm Place, Northampton, NN3 6HY