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Tracked Shutters vs Bypass Shutters: Which Is Right for Your Doors?
When you want shutters across a wide opening (bi-fold doors, patio doors, French doors or a room divider), a single fixed panel won't do. Instead, the shutters hang from a track so they can move out of the way. But there are two main systems, and they behave quite differently: tracked (bi-fold) shutters and bypass shutters. Here's how to tell them apart and choose the right one.
How Tracked (Bi-Fold) Shutters Work
Tracked shutters, often called bi-fold door shutters, are hinged together in a run and guided along a top (and sometimes bottom) track. When you want the opening clear, the panels concertina, folding back on themselves and stacking neatly to one or both sides. It's exactly how a set of bi-fold doors works, which is why a bi-fold track shutter system pairs so naturally with them.
How Bypass Shutters Work
Bypass shutters also run on a track, but instead of folding they slide past each other on parallel tracks, much like mirrored wardrobe doors. One panel sits in front of another as they move, so there's always some overlap and you don't need room for the panels to fold back into the space.
What About Underfloor Heating?
A common worry is that a tracked system means cutting a channel into the floor. It doesn't have to. Both systems can be hung from a single track fitted above the opening, with no bottom track at all. That leaves your floor untouched, which is ideal if you have underfloor heating, tiled or timber floors, or simply don't want a track underfoot.
The Key Differences at a Glance
- Movement: tracked shutters fold and stack; bypass shutters slide and overlap.
- Full opening: tracked systems can clear almost the entire opening; bypass systems always keep at least one panel across it.
- Space needed: folding panels need a little clearance to stack; sliding panels stay flat to the window.
- Best partner: tracked suits bi-fold and French doors; bypass suits sliding patio doors and dividers.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose tracked (bi-fold) shutters if you have bi-fold or French doors and want to throw the whole opening wide so the shutters disappear with the doors. They give the cleanest "fully open" look and the most dramatic transformation when closed.
Choose bypass shutters if you have sliding patio doors, a very wide window, or you're dividing a room and prefer panels that stay flat and simply glide aside, with no clearance needed for folding.
Not sure which suits your space? That's exactly what our free home visit is for. We'll look at your doors, how you use the room, and recommend the configuration that works best, then measure up precisely. Explore our bi-fold door shutters to see the tracked system in action.
Book Your Free Design Visit
Whether you're leaning towards a tracked bi-fold system or bypass shutters, the best way to decide is to see the options in your own home.
Our Free Measuring & Design Service includes:
- Honest advice from our experts
- Quality samples to view at home
- A no-obligation, tailored quote
Call us today on 01472 927 011, send us a message, or book online. We'll be happy to help.
Ask the Experts
Call our friendly Expert team today for assistance; we're always more than happy to help in any way we can: 01472 927 011
We can book you in for a FREE home measuring appointment and design consultation at a time convenient to you! From the comfort of your own home, we will provide samples of our Shutters, talk you through our ranges and style options and accurately measure your window(s) before putting together a NO-OBLIGATION quote tailored to your bespoke needs!
