Perforated vs solid vs vision shutters
Solid shutters hide the shop, perforated shutters let light and a partial view through, and vision shutters give the clearest view at the highest price. Many councils resist all three on the outside of a shop, so check before you choose.
5 minute read. Last updated November 2026.
What is the difference between solid, perforated and vision shutters?
The difference is the lath: solid laths have no openings, perforated laths have small holes, and vision laths have larger punched slots. The frame, the motor and the box are the same type of parts in each case.
| Solid | Perforated | Vision (punched lath) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| View into the shop | None | Partial, best straight on | Clearest of the three |
| Light through at night | None | Some | More |
| Air through | None | Some | More |
| Window display after closing | Hidden | Seen in part | Seen |
| Guide price up to 3 m (plus VAT) | £1,450 to £1,995 | £1,750 to £2,295 | £2,195 to £2,895 |
Perforated holes are small, so the curtain can look solid from an angle. People walking along the pavement see less than people standing in front of the window. Bear that in mind if the display is the reason for choosing it.
Which shutter type gives the best security?
The look of the lath tells you little about security, because the independent measure is a tested rating such as LPS 1175 and not the curtain style. A solid curtain does have two plain advantages: nobody can see the stock, and there are no openings to reach through.
A solid curtain also has drawbacks. A Richmond upon Thames leaflet says solid shutters can let intruders work unseen behind them and can create a fortress look on the street. A curtain people can see through gives passers-by a view of what is happening inside.
If security is the main reason for the shutter, the gauge of the lath, the guides, the locking and the glass behind it matter more than the choice of hole pattern. Our security and insurance guide covers ratings, and a tested shutter starts at a guide price of £3,995 plus VAT, priced after survey.
What do councils say about each shutter type?
Many councils accept none of the three on the outside of a shop without a strong reason, and perforated is not a safe assumption. These are positions from guidance we have read. Councils differ, so treat them as examples and ask your own.
| Council | Solid | Perforated or punched |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | Acceptable only in exceptional circumstances, such as a high-risk shop in a non-sensitive area | Shutters with visual holes or slots are treated the same way |
| Richmond upon Thames (2005 leaflet) | Resisted throughout the borough | Also resisted. The council says they look solid from an angle and attract graffiti |
| Newport | Acceptable only in industrial areas | Pinhole accepted outside industrial areas only if exceptional circumstances are shown, and never in or near conservation areas |
| Conwy (2014 guidance) | Policy says permission will not be granted on shop fronts | Same policy. External grilles are more likely to comply |
The pattern is clear: where councils accept anything, it is usually an open grille or an internal shutter. That is why it pays to ask early. Read our shutter planning guide for the legal position in each nation.
How much more do perforated and vision shutters cost?
A perforated curtain up to 3 m wide adds £300 plus VAT to the guide price of a solid shutter, and a vision curtain adds £745 to £900 plus VAT.
| Extra over solid (guide, plus VAT) | Up to 3 m | 3 to 4 m | 4 to 5 m | 5 to 6 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perforated | £300 | £300 | £300 | £300 |
| Vision | £745 to £900 | £900 to £1,000 | £1,000 to £1,200 | £1,100 to £1,200 |
Where a cell shows two figures, they compare the low ends and the high ends of the bands. For a window that sells goods after closing, set the extra cost against what the display earns you. For a shop that shuts at the same time as the rest of the street, the sum may not add up.
How do I choose between solid, perforated and vision?
Work through five checks in this order, because the first two can rule options out before you think about looks.
- Ask the council. Find out which types it will accept on your street, and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area.
- Ask your insurer. If the policy names a security level, that settles the curtain.
- Look at the window. If the display sells after closing, a solid curtain removes that value.
- Look at the street. If the shop is on a lit, busy road, a see-through curtain lets passers-by notice trouble. On a dark back street, hiding the stock may matter more.
- Think about upkeep. Holes and slots collect dirt, and any flat curtain invites graffiti. Allow for cleaning.
| If your shop is | Start with |
|---|---|
| A retail unit with a window that sells after hours | Perforated or vision |
| A takeaway that needs air through a closed unit | Perforated, vision or a grille |
| A unit with a break-in history or high-value stock | Solid, then ask about a rated shutter |
| On a street where the council resists all of these | An internal shutter or grille |
Our Display package pairs an aluminium frontage with a perforated shutter, and it starts at a guide price of £4,195 plus VAT. Compare your options in the quote tool, or ask us which types your council has accepted in the past.
Can one shutter have more than one lath type?
Yes, some makers offer a curtain that mixes laths, with solid laths at the bottom and perforated or vision laths at window height. The solid section covers the stallriser zone and hides low shelving, and the upper section keeps the display in view.
A mixed curtain can help when the planners and the insurer pull in different directions, but it still needs the same planning consent as a full curtain. Ask at survey, and check the lath layout on the drawing before you accept the quotation.
If you are unsure which curtain will pass, ask the council first, then talk to us or price your options in the quote tool. We will show the chosen curtain on one drawing with the frontage, so you, your landlord and the planners all look at the same thing.
Common questions
Do perforated shutters avoid planning permission?
No. An external perforated shutter is still an external shutter, and many councils resist it. Ask your council before ordering.
Are vision shutters less secure than solid shutters?
Not by default. Security depends on the gauge, guides, locking and any tested rating. The hole pattern affects what people can see more than how long the curtain resists attack.
Which shutter lets the most light through?
A vision shutter, because its punched slots are larger than the holes in a perforated lath. A solid shutter lets none through.
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