How many plantation shutter panels do I need in my window opening?
Generally, a window looks best with 4 panels, two openings as pairs either way. A 3-window bay, however, will usually have 2 panels on the smaller side windows and 4 in the centre. All panels will open away from the middle.
For partitioning or for large windows where tracking is needed at the top to suspend the panels you will really need an even number of panels or they will look odd and not hang from the track properly. Ideally, 8 panels or 12 panels for very large openings are best although quite often it is wise to hang even 6 panels from tracking if they are quite large.
In summary, the window layout will normally dictate the number of panels. If the window is split into two halves you would either have 2 or 4 panels and it follows that if it is three panes then three or six panels will suffice. The vertical dividers of the windows are where the vertical stiles of the shutters should be ideally.