Plantation Shutters Encylopedia

Arched or Sunburst. The upper part of the opening is arched in a half circle or lazy circle with louvers in a fan style. Full operation of individual louvers in the half circle arch and limited operation in lazy circle arches. Drawing

Beading. Decorative Reveal used on wood profiles for a more distinctive appearance.

Bi-fold. When two or more panels are hinged together and fold up against each other. Used with and without track support. Drawing

Bypass. When two or more panels on overhead tracks will slide past and underneath each other. A bypass can be designed to allow louvers to be fully open or closed only in the stacked position. For the louvers to be open, the stack separation is in relation to the size of the louvers. Drawing

Curved shutters conform to the curve at the top of the opening. Louvers are all horizontal and the upper most louvers may be fixed due to curve restrictions. Drawing

Custom shapes and applications. Please call for assistance. We will assist you in preparing a pattern.

Divider rails are utilized to provide additional strength to a panel and allow separate operation of the louvers above and below the divider rail. For example, divider rails can be utilized when you want to close the lower louvers for privacy and open the louvers above the divider rail for light and ventilation control. Drawing

Double hung means two separate panels are hung vertically and can be swung open individually. Drawing

Even dimensions means that the measurements for width and height are consistent (within 3/16" of an inch) when measured in several places.

Framing. Hang Strips, "L" Mold and "Z" Mold are various frame profiles used to frame the shutter panels and provide a square and even mounting for the panels.

Hang strips are simple rectangular pieces that are usually mounted outside on each side of an opening. The simplest of all installations is the inside mount hang strip where the strip is recessed in the opening (must have adequate depth for louver rotation). A wraparound hinge is used to mount the panel to the hang strip. Drawing and Photo

Hardware hinges are provided in bright brass, antique brass, white powder coated or brushed aluminum finishes at no extra charge. Hinge styles include 3-inch butt hinges for mortised panels, 3-inch non-mortised hinges and wraparound hinges. Non-mortised hinges will be provided unless otherwise requested. Knobs are not provided. Should you desire knobs, we suggest you visit your local hardware store to choose the style you would like.

Inside-mount direct hinge. Photo. (Simplest installation possible). Must have clearance for louver rotation behind panel and square openings with even dimensions. If the dimensions are over 3/16" in difference in width or height, use "Z" Mold or Outside-Mount Hang Strip.

Inside mount using "Z" Mold. "Z" Mold is commonly used in uneven dimensions or out-of-square openings to "square up" the opening for mounting panels. Photo

Inside mount hang strips can be used in slightly uneven dimension opening with the understanding the space between the panel and the opening edge will be inconsistent. Drawing

"L" mold is utilized when shutter panels need to be "projected" away from the wall or window to allow louver clearance. The "L" Mold is provided in the required projection to allow clearance based on louver size. Photo

Louvers. Wood plantation shutters offer choices of 1-1/4" (Designer Series only), 2", 2-1/2", 3-1/2", 4-1/2" and 5-1/2" louvers (Designer Series only). PolyDesign offers 2-1/2", 3-1/2 and 4-1/2" louvers and vinyl is limited to 2-1/2" and 3-1-1/2" louvers. The louvers rotate on a nylon pin in a nylon bushing and are connected to a tilt rod that coordinates the louver rotation for control of light, privacy and ventilation. Special sizes and shapes are available upon request. Photos

Light strip is a small strip of wood installed at the edges of the inside mounts to limit light intrusion. "L" and "Z" Molds have light strips built in. Drawing

Molding. Hang Strips, "L" Mold and "Z" Mold are various frame profiles used to frame the shutter panels and provide a square and even mounting for the panels.

Mortising is utilized on high-end shutters to recess the hinge into a groove where the hinge attaches to reduce the space between the frame and the panel. We use the new, non-mortised style hinges that don't require mortising of the panel to reduce this space. Hinge mortise is available upon request, however. Drawing

Non-beaded. No decorative reveal used on wood profiles for a more distinctive appearance.

Non-mortised. There is no groove where the hinge attaches to the frame and the panel. This is our standard-installation hinge.

Non-rabbeted. No light stop where shutter panels meet.

Outside mount hang strip mounts on the wall or trim outside of the opening on each side. Drawing

Outside mount "L" mold is used to project the panel out from the window to provide louver rotation clearance. Mounts on the wall or trim outside of the opening. The "L Mold" is utilized on French door applications as well. Photo

Paint colors. We offer 12 paint and stain colors; or we will match any paint color you desire. We caution you that the "new" paint on your shutters may be different from your "old" paint due to batches, time, dirt, smoke, etc. Photos

Rabbeting is utilized by high-quality shutter companies when opposing shutter panels meet in the center to provide a double light stop.

Rails are the structural upper and lower parts of a plantation shutter panel. They range in height from 2" to 4-1/2" based on panel height and louver size. Drawing

Square opening means it is even dimensionally, not square in shape. To verify that the opening is square, measure diagonally across the opening from corner to corner. The measurements should be within 3/8" of each other.

Stain. We will match within the limits of wood and grain differences. If a very close match is required, send us a sample and we will provide a sample for approval. Photos

Stiles are the structural right and left parts of a plantation shutter panel. They house the nylon bushing the louver rotates on. Drawing

Sunburst or arched. The upper part of the opening is arched in a half circle or lazy circle with louvers in a fan style. Full operation of individual louvers in the half Circle arch and limited operation in lazy circle arches. Photo

Tilt bar controls rotation of louvers in a coordinated manner for control of light, privacy and ventilation. The tilt rod is usually mounted on the center of the louver on the face of the panel. the tilt rod can be mounted to the right or left edge of the louver if desired. Drawing

"T" Post is used to separate multiple window installations, i.e., a triple window opening would use a "T" post at the vertical mullion where the window sections meet. Drawing

Tension system is provided on custom wood shutters to adjust the louver tension to eliminate undesirable movement of louvers. Drawing

Track is used in bi-fold and bypass installations to provide a support and guide for panels as they are moved. The track is an extruded aluminum and the carriers are nylon wheels. Drawing

"Z" mold is utilized for inside opening mounts where the opening dimensions are uneven. The "Z" Mold allows the frame to be installed in the opening square and even. The panels are square and need a consistent opening to fit properly. Photo

Call 1-800-823-6677 to speak with a knowledgeable Shutter and Blind Specialist.