Shutter rates by finish
Sizes that behave
A shutter wider than about 600 mm on a base unit and 450 mm on a tall unit starts to sag on its hinges and to feel unwieldy. Above 2,100 mm tall, three hinges become four and the substrate choice matters more than the finish. Wardrobe shutters at 2,400 mm high and 600 mm wide are common and need four hinges with a heavy-duty rating — the single most common cause of a wardrobe door that will not close square is a tall shutter on three cheap hinges.
Weight matters at delivery as much as in use. A 2,400 mm acrylic-faced shutter on HDHMR weighs close to 30 kg and has to reach the flat in a Mumbai service lift, often diagonally. Panel sizes are checked against the lift car and the staircase turn before anything is manufactured.
Front and back are different
Every shutter needs a balancing laminate on the reverse, even in a colour nobody sees. Without it the two faces absorb moisture at different rates and the door bows. The same applies to the edges: all four banded, not just the two visible ones. In a quotation, check the words “both faces” and “all edges” appear.
Shutter versus carcass, and why it matters to your budget
The carcass is the box, the shutter is the face. Because shutters are replaceable without touching the plumbing or the wall fixings, they are where a kitchen can be refreshed later — and therefore where a tight budget should economise first, not last. A BWP carcass with laminate shutters now, acrylic shutters in year eight, is a far better plan than the reverse. See modular kitchen cost and choosing a shutter finish.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen shutter cost?+
₹450–700 per sq ft in 1 mm laminate on BWP ply, rising to ₹850–1,250 for acrylic or matt PU. For a typical 10 ft kitchen with about 90 sq ft of shutter area, that is ₹40,000 to ₹115,000 depending on finish.
Why do my shutters not align?+
Usually the carcass has racked or the hinges are under-specified for the door weight. Good hinges have three-way adjustment, so a competent fitter can bring an installation back into line in an hour — if the box behind is square.
Can shutters be replaced on an old kitchen?+
Yes, provided the carcass is square, dry and structurally sound. New shutters, hinges and handles on an existing carcass is the highest-value kitchen renovation available, typically ₹65,000–1.4 lakh for a full kitchen.
What is the maximum size for a single shutter?+
Around 600 mm wide by 2,400 mm tall for a hinged door, with four heavy-duty hinges. Wider than that, use two doors or a sliding system; taller than that, split with a horizontal rail or move to a lift-up mechanism.