Full-height shutters are a popular choice among homeowners looking for a classic window covering that adds style and helps control light and privacy. They run the full height of the window or door, offering a clean, symmetrical look that works well in both traditional and modern interiors. With their solid frame and adjustable louvres, full-height shutters are dependable when installed and looked after properly.

But like anything in your home, they can sometimes run into trouble. Misaligned panels, stiff louvres, fading or tilt rod problems can impact how well they function and how good they look. If left unchecked, minor problems can turn into bigger repairs. This article explains common issues that can affect full-height shutters and what can be done to sort them out, especially in homes across Leicester where the weather can play a role.

Alignment Issues

When your shutters don’t sit neatly or the panels look uneven, you could be dealing with alignment problems. This is often caused by poor installation or small shifts over time, especially due to temperature and humidity changes. What once fit perfectly can start to look wonky or become tricky to open and close smoothly.

Here’s how to tell if alignment is off:

- Panels don’t line up when closed

- Shutters don’t fully shut without a struggle

- You start seeing gaps at the top or bottom

- Shutters clash with one another when opening

A simple way to fix this is by checking the hinges and tightening the mounting screws. That alone can bring things back into place. If screws are already tight and the issue continues, a small adjustment to the hinge position or padding behind it might help. Shutters that have shifted too much may need more detailed work. We recommend letting someone experienced take a look rather than trying to reposition the panels yourself.

Leicester's changing seasons, with damp winters and sticky summers, can cause wood to swell and shift. These natural changes can affect the way shutters sit if they aren’t maintained regularly.

Stuck Or Difficult To Move Louvres

Louvres are the moveable slats in shutters that allow you to manage light and privacy. When they’re working right, they tilt smoothly and stay in position. But dust, moisture or age can cause them to stick, creak or become loose.

Common reasons for stuck louvres include:

- Dust and grime buildup around joints and mechanisms

- Extra layers of paint or varnish from past touch-ups

- Swelling caused by damp conditions

- Warping from long exposure to direct sunlight

To keep things moving, give your shutters a gentle clean every once in a while using a dry or lightly damp cloth. If a specific slat keeps sticking, a spot-sanding of the edges may restore motion. Just be careful, as over-sanding can create uneven gaps. In a Leicester home with large bay windows, we found heavily dusted louvres that had seized up over time. A good clean and minor adjustment was all that was needed to bring them back into action.

One thing to avoid is forcing stuck louvres. That often leads to damage where the slat connects to the tilt rod. Repeat issues across multiple shutters may point to a deeper structural problem, such as warping or wear in the mechanisms, which should be checked by someone familiar with shutter systems.

Discoloration And Fading

Full-height shutters add a stylish finish to any room, but sunlight can dull or discolour their look over time. UV rays slowly break down paint, varnishes and even natural wood finishes, especially in bright or sun-facing rooms. Leicester sees its fair share of sunny spells, which means your shutters might fade unevenly depending on where they’re placed.

Here’s what you can do to help reduce fading:

- Apply UV protective coatings to the shutters

- Use curtains or blinds to limit sunlight during brighter parts of the day

- Treat your shutters with specialist products that refresh and protect finishes

Staying on top of maintenance makes a big difference. In rooms with large, sunlit windows, shutters can become faded on one side more than the other. Giving them a regular clean followed by a light protective treatment helps keep a fresh look. Taking action early helps avoid patches, peels or discolouration that are trickier to reverse.

Problems With Tilt Rods

Tilt rods run vertically down the centre or side of your shutters and link the louvres so they can be tilted in unison. When these rods loosen, bend or snap, the whole system struggles. Common tilt rod problems include loose joints, missing pieces or complete disconnection.

To keep things working, you can:

- Inspect for any loose screws or connections

- Gently tighten fittings without overdoing it

- Replace broken tilt rods using the correct tools and matching parts

Tilt rods can start to shift or sag if the shutters are handled roughly or if windows are regularly slammed open or closed. Take one home in Leicester where the same panel kept coming loose – it turned out the force on the tilt rod from a nearby window draft was slowly pulling it free.

Being gentle when adjusting tilt rods or louvres can go a long way. An unbalanced or loosely-connected rod won’t only affect performance, but repeated movement can strain the louvres and the entire frame. If damage continues to occur or the rod won’t stay put, we strongly suggest calling in a professional repair technician who understands the shutter design.

Keeping Full-Height Shutters Looking Their Best in Leicester



With the proper care, full-height shutters remain a strong and stylish feature in your home. Keeping them clean, aligned and protected from the elements means they’ll not only work properly, but they’ll also keep adding charm for years. In Leicester, where the weather can jump from cold and damp to bright and dry, regular attention makes all the difference.

Watch for early signs like subtle misalignment, rubbing noises, or parts that seem looser than usual. Fixing small issues now can save larger efforts later on. Maintenance helps uphold both the appearance and the smooth operation of your shutters.

If you spot more serious trouble or repeated issues, it’s worth getting an expert to take a look. Professional help ensures any adjustments are done right and that parts are replaced with the correct materials. Whether your shutters have been in place for years or you’ve just had them installed, keeping them in top shape adds long-term value to your home. With just a little upkeep, full-height shutters can continue to be both a functional and attractive part of your living space.

For homeowners across Leicester looking to keep their shutters both stylish and functional, explore our expertly crafted full-height shutters in Leicester. British Made Shutters offers tailored solutions to help you avoid common problems and maintain the long-term beauty and performance of your shutters.