Tracked Shutters for Bifold Doors | Surrey Blinds and Shutters

🏠 What Are Tracked Shutters?

Tracked shutters are the perfect solution for wide openings like bifold doors, large patio doors, and open-plan living spaces.
Unlike standard window shutters, which swing open on side hinges alone, tracked shutters are hinged together between panels and move smoothly along a guided track at the top and bottom of the frame.

This clever design allows the panels to fold back neatly to the sides, making it easy to open up the entire space when needed — or close them for privacy, light control, and thermal insulation.

Whether you’re dressing a newly installed bifold door or enhancing an existing opening, tracked plantation shutters offer a stylish, practical solution that fits modern living perfectly.

🛠️ How Tracked Shutters Work

Tracked plantation shutters are designed to fold and glide effortlessly along a fixed track, making them ideal for large expanses of glass that would be impractical for standard hinged panels.

Here’s how they operate:
• ✅ Top and bottom tracks guide the panels for smooth, stable movement
• ✅ Panels are hinged together — they fold neatly to the left, right, or both sides depending on your configuration
• ✅ Slats should be closed before sliding to prevent damage or obstruction
• ✅ Fully open in summer for fresh air; fully closed in winter for warmth and privacy

Tracked shutters give you the best of both worlds — easy access when you want it, and insulation and style when you need it.

🚪 Best Uses for Tracked Shutters

Tracked shutters are an ideal solution for a variety of wider openings where flexibility, style, and practicality are important.
By combining a folding mechanism with guided tracks, they provide easy access to outdoor spaces without compromising privacy or insulation.

Here’s where tracked shutters are most commonly used:

✅ Bifold Doors
• Perfect for modern bifold door setups
• Panels fold neatly back to allow full access to the outdoors
• Provides light control, privacy, and thermal efficiency when closed

✅ Wide Patio Doors
• Suitable for large patio openings that are too wide for traditional hinged shutters
• Panels slide and fold smoothly without occupying interior space

✅ Tall, Wide Window Expanses
• Excellent for full-height glazing or feature windows
• Maintain a clean, stylish look while offering full control over light and privacy

✅ Open-Plan Living Spaces
• Track-mounted shutters allow spaces to be zoned and opened easily
• Ideal for kitchen/diner extensions, conservatories, and sunrooms

Tracked shutters give you the flexibility to open up your space during the day and create a cosy, private environment when needed — all with the timeless elegance of plantation shutters.

📏 Slat Size and Design Considerations for Tracked Shutters

Choosing the right slat size and panel layout is essential when planning tracked shutters — especially for wide bifold or patio doors. These shutters operate differently from standard installations, and careful design helps ensure smooth daily use and long-term durability.

✅ Slat Size Recommendations

76mm or 89mm slats are the most popular for tracked shutters
• Fewer slats per panel for a cleaner, more open look
• Slats fold more efficiently and stack flatter to the sides
• Good visual proportion on taller panels

63mm slats can be used where a tighter recess or precise glass alignment is required
• Slightly more slats per panel, but still folds well if carefully planned

47mm slats are rarely used on tracked shutters
• Creates many more slats, which can make the shutters look “busy” and fold less neatly

✅ Mid-Rails: Essential for Door Installations

Mid-rails are structurally required for tracked shutters fitted in front of doors
• They provide rigidity and prevent the panel from flexing or twisting during folding
• Even if the design allows full height panels, we always include a mid-rail when the shutter exceeds a practical height threshold
• The mid-rail placement is planned to align visually where possible, often with glazing breaks or handle lines

✅ Folding and Panel Design Considerations

• Panels are hinged together and fold sequentially along the track
• We always recommend closing the slats before folding to protect the frame and slats from contact damage
• Panels can be configured to fold all to one side, or split evenly left and right based on layout

🛠️ Engineered Strength & Build Quality for Tracked Shutters

Tracked shutters are typically used on large, tall openings — such as bifold doors, patio doors, or wide glazed panels. That makes the strength and stability of each shutter panel absolutely critical.

When shutters are folded along a track, the first panel you open often pulls multiple other panels with it. If the frame structure isn’t rigid, this constant movement can cause stress, flexing, or long-term damage.

At Surrey Blinds and Shutters, we only supply shutters designed to withstand this kind of usage — and here’s how we ensure they last:

✅ Engineered Stiles

• Our shutters are constructed with engineered stiles — made by laminating layers of timber together
• This process creates a stronger, straighter frame that’s less prone to warping, twisting, or flexing
• Essential for taller panels, which are under more physical stress during folding

✅ Mortise and Tenon Joints

• Every shutter is built using traditional mortise and tenon joinery
• This method creates solid joints without relying on dowels or blocks, giving the frame superior durability
• Particularly important for tracked shutters, where panels are repeatedly moved and folded

✅ Why It Matters

• Prevents panels from twisting under weight or movement
• Ensures the shutters stay aligned and close snugly, year after year
• Makes it possible for us to offer a 10-year guarantee with confidence
• Reduces maintenance and protects your investment long-term

Tracked shutters aren’t just about style — they’re about performance over time, especially in homes where large doors are used daily. We take the construction seriously, so your shutters perform the way they should, without compromise.

🌙 Noise and Thermal Benefits of Tracked Shutters

While tracked shutters are most often chosen for their practicality and flexibility, they also offer surprising benefits when it comes to reducing noise and improving insulation — particularly when fully closed.

✅ Improved Noise Reduction

• Closed tracked shutters help soften sound transmission across large glazed surfaces
• Particularly useful in open-plan rooms or properties near roads, gardens, or communal spaces
• Panels fitted with Sark (lightweight hardwood) or Alderney (ABS slats) are especially effective, as their internal structure contains natural air gaps that help disrupt and absorb sound

✅ Thermal Comfort Year-Round

• Tracked shutters provide a physical barrier against heat loss, helping to stabilise room temperature in colder months
• In summer, they reduce solar gain, especially when configured with larger slats for airflow control
• Both Sark and Alderney ranges provide added insulation thanks to their construction, which traps air and buffers external temperature changes

✅ Energy Savings

• While not airtight, tracked shutters help reduce draughts and excessive heat flow
• Ideal for large door spans or older patio setups that struggle to hold consistent indoor temperature
• Can help lower heating and cooling costs over time, especially when used with quality frames and a snug fit

Tracked shutters offer much more than just looks — they can help make your home quieter, warmer, and more comfortable throughout the year, without compromising the flexibility that bifold doors are known for.

🧼 Cleaning and Maintaining Tracked Shutters

Tracked shutters are easy to maintain — especially as they’re usually fitted with larger slat sizes (such as 76mm or 89mm), which means fewer slats overall and more space between each one.

Here’s how to keep them looking their best:

✅ Day-to-Day Dusting
• Use a soft microfibre cloth, ostrich feather duster, or vacuum with a brush attachment
• The wider slats make it easy to reach between them with minimal effort
• Focus on slat edges, tilt rods, and hinges where dust may collect over time

✅ Track Maintenance
• Vacuum the lower track regularly to remove dust or debris that might affect movement
• Use a soft, dry brush or narrow vacuum attachment
• Avoid using oils or lubricants — the track is designed to glide cleanly

✅ Deeper Cleaning by Material
• Waterproof shutters (like Herm or Wisley) can be wiped down with a damp cloth and mild detergent
• ABS slat shutters (e.g., Alderney) should only be wiped with a lightly damp cloth — avoid soaking the MDF frame
• Always dry thoroughly with a clean towel or soft cloth to avoid streaking

🧽 Pro Tip

Don’t forget to open the shutters and clean behind the panels — especially near the frame where dust can collect. This helps the shutters close snugly, which supports better thermal and noise performance too.

🇬🇧 UK-Made Shutters – The Wisley Range

Our Wisley range of UK-manufactured shutters offers a combination of style, speed, and sustainability — without compromising on quality.
• ✅ Made in the UK – great for local support and reliability
• ✅ Fast lead time – delivery and installation in as little as 5 weeks
• ✅ Eco-friendly – significantly lower carbon footprint than imported alternatives
• ✅ Waterproof – suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and humid environments
• ✅ Wide colour choice – available in nine stunning colours

UK-made shutters are an ideal solution for customers who need their shutters quickly, want to minimise their environmental impact, or simply prefer to buy British.

📍 Interested in faster delivery or sustainable options?

🆓 Free Temporary Blinds While You Wait

When you order plantation shutters from us, we offer complimentary temporary blinds to cover your windows during the manufacturing period — so you’re never left without privacy or control over light.

These temporary blinds are:

• Free With A Shutter Purchase
• Easy to fit
• Neutral in colour and discreet in appearance
• Ideal for maintaining privacy and comfort while your shutters are being made

📍 Just one more way we aim to make your experience smooth and stress-free.

🤝 Our Service Commitment

At Surrey Blinds and Shutters, we combine quality craftsmanship with trusted service, ensuring every customer receives a smooth, professional experience from start to finish.

✅ Our Own In-House Fitting Team

All of our shutters are installed by our own experienced fitters — we never subcontract. You’ll deal with the same trusted team throughout your journey.

✅ Post-Installation Checklist

Once your shutters are fitted, we carry out a detailed checklist to make sure everything is perfect and you’re completely happy before we leave.

✅ 10-Year Shutter Guarantee

We stand by the quality of our products. That’s why all our shutters come with a full 10-year guarantee for your peace of mind.

✅ UK-Made Shutters in as Little as 5 Weeks

Need shutters sooner? Our UK-made range can be manufactured and installed in as little as five weeks – ideal if you’re working to a deadline.

✅ Established in 2009

We’ve been proudly trading since 2009, bringing years of hands-on experience to every consultation, installation, and customer we work with.

✅ Free Temporary Blinds While You Wait

Waiting for shutters to be made? We offer complimentary temporary blinds so you’re never without privacy or light control during the lead time.

Whether you’re fitting out a single bay or updating your whole home, we’re here to help from start to finish – with a team that genuinely cares.

How to Get Started

Book your free consultation today and let our experts guide you through the best options for your space.

📞 Call us on 01483 608 274
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Unit 3, Farnham Business Centre, Dogflud Way
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