Greystone Shutters · Tipton, West Midlands
Cafe Style Window Shutters for West Midlands Homes
Lower-half shutters that keep your kitchen or dining room private at street level while leaving the top of the window completely clear for daylight.
5-Star Rated on Google
Cafe style shutters are a smaller, smarter take on the classic plantation shutter, covering only the bottom half of your window so you get privacy where you need it and as much daylight as possible everywhere else. We've been fitting them across the West Midlands for years and they're easily our most-requested style for kitchens, dining rooms and any street-facing room where you want to see out without putting yourself on show. Browse our full range of styles for context.
What are cafe style shutters?
A cafe style shutter only covers the lower half of your window. There's no top frame, no top panels and no header rail, the upper section of the window is left completely clear so daylight floods in unobstructed, while the lower shutters block the view at the level passers-by can actually see through.
The name itself comes from the pavement cafes of France and Italy, where you'll see this exact configuration across the front of just about every bistro. Today it gives a classic, continental look that sits as comfortably in a Victorian terrace as it does in a brand-new kitchen extension.
Why choose cafe style over full height?
Here are the reasons our West Midlands customers most often pick cafe style shutters over a full-height install.
- Maximum natural light. The top half left completely clear lets more daylight in than any other shutter style we fit.
- Ideal for street-facing rooms. Pavement-level privacy with a bright, open feel above, no curtains, no nets.
- Made for kitchens. A clear view of sky and garden while keeping the sink and worktop out of sight from the pavement.
- A lighter, more affordable option. Fewer panels to make and install, a great entry point into plantation shutters.
Best rooms and windows for cafe style
Kitchens are by far the most popular room for cafe style shutters. The window above the sink almost always wants the same thing, a proper view of the garden or the sky while you're cooking, and proper privacy at counter height so people walking past the side passage aren't looking straight in.
Dining rooms work well too, particularly when the window faces directly onto the street and you want to be able to eat without feeling on display. They're also a brilliant fit for period homes with tall sash windows, keeping the top section clear preserves the upper transom or original Victorian glass detail.
The one place we don't usually recommend cafe style is the bedroom. For bedrooms, take a look at full height shutters or Shutter & Shade.
What to expect from your free home survey to fit
Every job starts with a free home survey. Brad, Andy or Jack will pop round at a time that suits you (usually evenings or weekends) to look at your windows, talk through styles, materials and finishes, and measure every opening to the millimetre. We don't ask homeowners to self-measure, and we don't sub-contract surveys to a national franchise.
Once you've approved the design, your shutters are built to those exact dimensions in our partner workshop. Typical lead time is around 10 to 12 weeks (3 to 4 on some ranges). You can read the full timeline breakdown if you want the detail.
Fitting is usually a single day, two of us on site, dust sheets down, hoover out at the end. And every shutter we fit is backed by our 5-year guarantee on materials and workmanship.
Cafe style shutters across the West Midlands
Cafe style is a strong favourite in kitchen extensions right across the region, and in the terraced streets of Wolverhampton and Walsall where the kitchen often looks straight out onto a side passage, an alley or a rear access.
The fix is the same one we've been recommending for years, privacy at hip and worktop height, plenty of overhead light for the rest of the room. We fit them in homes from new-build estates around Birmingham to Victorian back-to-backs across the rest of the Black Country.
Common questions about cafe style shutters
Quick answers to what homeowners across the West Midlands ask us most.
Privacy at the bottom, daylight at the top
Book a free home survey and we'll measure your kitchen window, walk through the right split height, and leave you with a fixed, no-obligation quote.
Trusted by Homeowners Across the West Midlands
Our reputation is everything. We are proud that most of our business comes from happy customers recommending us to their neighbours and friends. See what homeowners in your area are saying about our personal service and premium craftsmanship, or read more Greystone Shutters reviews.
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These lads are brilliant, can't fault them.
These lads are brilliant, had some shutters installed and the lads were top notch, explained everything thoroughly and the end result was great. Price was fair and availability was fast. Can't fault them.
Adam Jay Davies
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Outstanding quality & customer service.
I requested several companies to advise and quote for shutters for the bay window, Greystone Shutters really did stand out from the rest.
Pete Smith
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Greystone did a fantastic job fitting our blackout blinds.
I have to wake my son up for school now else he’ll sleep in till 9. The chaps were very friendly and professional, I’d definitely recommend them. Thanks !
Faye Hanson
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Cannot recommend greystone shutters enough!
From start to finish they have been amazing - keeping me updated on delivery and installation times. They have just been fitted and you can't tell they have been! Zero mess. They are such a lovely and friendly team and I am so happy with the quality and build and can't believe how bigger and tidier my living room and home office now are! Thank you!!!!
Debi “Debi KH” Keyte-Hartland
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Excellent customer service, highly recommended.
We had a great experience with Brad from Greystone Shutters. He was friendly, professional, very thorough and carried out blind measurements for our new build property with care and precision. He explained everything clearly and made the whole process easy and stress-free.
Puneet Kaur
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I was very happy with my blind.
Andrew the fitter very professional and polite. Would recommend this company.
Wendy Green
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Great company. would recommend to anyone.
Shutters were installed quickly and were the perfect addition to my home nail studio. Will definitely be using Greystone Shutters again!
Sophie Bentley
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Can't recommend the blind screens enough.
I've been really struggling to sleep and this was recommended to myself. It has changed my routine completely :)
William Ryden
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Had bathroon window done very pleased.
the two young men that came left everythink tidy would recomend to eny one good price
Barbara Clarke
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I had some venetian blinds fitted by greystone shutters and i'm so pleased with the final product.
Everything was handled really well by Andrew from the first visit where he came with loads of knowledge and product samples, through to the installation. He wasn't pushy at all which was great and he answered all of our questions and helped turn our ideas into a fitted final product. I'd happily recommend anyone who's after venetians give these guys a call
John Bretherton
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We’re honestly so glad we went with greystone shutters.
From the first visit, everything felt really straightforward and genuine. They weren’t pushy and just gave helpful advice on what they thought would work for our home. The shutters themselves look fantastic, but what really stood out for us is the integrated blackout blind. It makes such a difference to our sleep, the room is completely dark even on those bright mornings. They took a lot of care with the fitting, and made sure we were happy with the install and they left the place clean and tidy afterward. We are really pleased we went ahead with it. We would happily recommend Greystone to anyone considering getting shutters or blackout blinds. Cannot recommend them enough! Thank you!
Lauren
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Just had some black out shutters fitted for the our little boys room and our main bedroom.
The whole process was great from the initial quote when Jack initially came
Leo Thornton Jones
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Really pleased with our new blinds.
Andrew was incredibly knowledgeable and helped us pick the perfect style and colours to match our decor. The whole process was straightforward from start to finish and I love the end result, the blinds look brilliant. Would definitely recommend Greystone if you are in the Coseley area.
Josh Earlston
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I honestly couldn’t be happier.
Just had shutters fitted in my living room by Andrew & Bradley at Greystone Shutters and I honestly couldn’t be happier. From the first measuring visit to installation, the whole process was perfect. They were both so knowledgeable and
James Routledge
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I had an amazing experience with greystone nothing but professional service from start to finish.
highly recommend these lads top draw 😊🤘
Matt BRG Stanford
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Would recommend, quick and easy to order.
Just ordered some shutters with Greystone, Andrew was really helpful and talked me through all of the options I could have! I had some guidance with what he thinks would fit best for my home style and even the small details.
Olivia Fletcher Harper
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I couldn't of asked for better service.
I had my shutters installed by Greystone and I couldn't of asked for better service. They were extremely prompt in responding to any questions I had and when they visited my home. The installation was quick and left no mess for me to clean up after. I would highly recommend.
Jess Cotter
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He’s honestly one of the most trustworthy and detail-oriented people i know.
I’ve known Bradley for years, and when I heard he started his own shutter company I wasn’t surprised at all, he’s honestly one of the most trustworthy and detail-oriented people I know. He’s the kind of guy who will measure twice (or three
Aaron Fraser
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His attention to detail is honestly unmatched.
As a family friend, I’ve watched Andy grow his skills over the years and his attention to detail is honestly unmatched. He just launched his shutter company and I have zero doubt he’s going to treat every customer like family. If you want someone reliable, fair, and who will go the extra mile, give Andrew a call!
Joshua Branford-Jones
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Very knowledgeable; i will definitely be using bradley and greystone soon.
I spoke to Bradley today to get some advice on shutters. Very knowledgeable; I will definitely be using Bradley and Greystone soon. Thanks again!
Ben Wall
Other shutter styles you might like
Three more Greystone Shutters styles, all made to measure for homes across the West Midlands.
