exterior
Shutter Painting & Restoration
Reviving window shutters with expert paint and restoration
From £120 per shutter pair
Price varies with shutter type, condition, and access requirements. Full strip-and-repaint costs more than an overcoat.
Typical Duration
1-2 days per set of shutters
Free Consultation
No-obligation quote and colour advice
Window shutters are a defining feature of London's period streetscapes, from the solid panel shutters of Georgian Mayfair to the louvred shutters of Belgravia's garden squares. Our shutter painting and restoration service covers everything from careful paint stripping and timber repair through to re-finishing with durable, weather-resistant coatings that protect against the British climate while maintaining period-appropriate aesthetics.
About Our Shutter Painting Service
Shutters serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose on London properties. They protect windows, control light, provide privacy, and contribute significantly to the architectural character of a façade. Over time, exposure to rain, frost, and UV light causes paint to crack, peel, and blister, while the underlying timber can develop rot in vulnerable areas such as bottom rails and joints. Interior plantation shutters face less severe conditions but still require repainting as finishes dull and scuff with daily use. At Mayfair Painters, we have extensive experience with every type of shutter found on London properties. Our approach prioritises thorough preparation — stripping back failed paint systems, treating any timber defects, and building up new coatings that flex with the wood rather than cracking. The result is shutters that look pristine and are protected for years to come.
What We Deliver
- Full paint stripping of exterior and interior shutters using chemical or heat methods
- Timber repair including splice repairs, dutchman patches, and resin filling
- Priming with appropriate wood primers for bare timber
- Application of flexible exterior gloss or eggshell systems
- Interior shutter repainting in eggshell or satinwood finishes
- Hardware removal, cleaning, and refitting — hinges, stays, and fasteners
- Louvre slat cleaning and individual painting where required
- Colour matching to estate or conservation area specifications
Our Approach
Shutter painting requires patience and attention to detail, particularly with louvred designs where each slat must be individually coated. We begin by assessing the condition of the existing paint system: if it is sound, we clean, abrade, and overcoat. If the paint is failing — flaking, peeling, or crazed — we strip back to bare timber using infrared paint removers that are gentle on old wood. All hardware is removed before painting begins, allowing us to coat every edge and surface. For exterior shutters, we use microporous paint systems that allow moisture to escape from the timber while remaining waterproof on the surface. Interior shutters receive a fine eggshell or satinwood finish that resists fingerprints and is easy to wipe clean. On managed estates such as the Grosvenor and Cadogan estates, we work within the specified colour palette and obtain any necessary approvals before work begins.
Materials & Brands
Exterior shutters are finished with Dulux Trade Weathershield, Teknos Aquatop, or Sikkens Cetol for natural timber finishes. Interior shutters are painted with Farrow & Ball Modern Eggshell, Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell, or Benjamin Moore Advance for its exceptional levelling properties. Primers include Zinsser BIN for sealing and Dulux Trade wood primer for bare timber.
Property Considerations
Shutters on listed buildings and within conservation areas must be repainted to match the approved colour — typically a specific shade of white, cream, or heritage colour stipulated by the estate or local authority. In Belgravia and Mayfair, Grosvenor Estate specifications apply. We are familiar with these requirements and handle all necessary approvals. Access is often the primary challenge: shutters on upper floors may require scaffold or platform access, which we arrange and manage.
Why Choose Our Shutter Painting Service
Thorough Preparation
Failed paint is fully removed and timber defects repaired before any new coating is applied.
Heritage Compliance
We work within estate colour specifications and conservation area guidelines to ensure full compliance.
Louvre Expertise
Each louvre slat is individually painted for complete and even coverage that brush-and-roller methods alone cannot achieve.
Our Shutter Painting Process
Condition Assessment
We inspect the shutters, timber condition, and existing paint system to determine the scope of work.
Hardware Removal
Hinges, stays, and catches are removed and set aside for cleaning and refitting.
Stripping & Repair
Failed paint is stripped, timber repairs are made, and the surface is sanded to a smooth finish.
Priming & Undercoat
Bare timber is primed and an undercoat applied to build the coating system.
Topcoat Application
Two coats of finish paint are applied by brush for a smooth, durable result.
Rehang & Inspect
Shutters are refitted, hardware reinstalled, and the finished work inspected for quality.
Brands We Use for Shutter Painting
Available Across London
We offer shutter painting & restoration across all 20 of our service areas in prime London.
View All AreasRelated Services
Exterior Painting
Protect and beautify your property from the outside in
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Specialist care for London's iconic timber sash windows
Learn moreWoodwork & Joinery Painting
Precision painting for skirting, architraves, and bespoke joinery
Learn moreHeritage & Period Painting
Sympathetic decoration that honours your property's history
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. We handle interior plantation shutters, panel shutters, and louvred shutters as well as exterior shutters on period properties. Each type receives preparation and finishes appropriate to its exposure and use.
Each louvre slat is painted individually using appropriately sized brushes, working from the back of the shutter to the front. Our painters coat each slat edge before filling the face, preventing the drips and runs that occur when louvres are roller-painted as a single surface.
We use infrared paint removers and careful hand scraping to strip old paint layers. These methods are gentler on aged timber than chemical strippers and do not raise the grain, preserving the original surface quality of the wood.
Where possible we remove shutters, take off all hardware, paint them on trestles, and rehang once dry. For shutters that cannot be easily removed — particularly those with complex hinge mechanisms — we paint in situ with careful masking of surrounding surfaces.
Exterior shutters receive microporous paint systems that allow timber to breathe while remaining waterproof. We use Dulux Trade Weathershield, Teknos Aquatop or Sikkens Cetol depending on the desired finish and exposure conditions.
Interior shutters typically need repainting every eight to ten years with normal use. Exterior shutters should be inspected annually and repainted every four to six years depending on exposure — south and west facing shutters deteriorate faster than those on sheltered elevations.
Ready for Expert Shutter Painting?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from our specialist team. We respond within 24 hours.