These shutters are actually 3 hinged double panels. Each panel is one piece (top to bottom) with a divider rail in the middle so you can operate the top louvers separately from the bottom louvers. This gives you more light control and better privacy. These shutters are a composite material, which is in between vinyl and all wood on price. It is a very durable product and one i use almost all the time. I use Victor Shade Company in St Louis for all my shutters installations. They carry Hunter Douglas and Norman shutters.