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Shutter Parts
Not sure what you need. Read on......
Lets familiarize ourselves with the basic parts of a plantation shutter.
As depicted in the diagram to the left, there are 4 (four) major parts that make a Plantation Shutter panel.
They are the Rail, Stile, Louvers, and Tilt Rod. The Rails and Stiles form the panel that hold the Louvers.
The Tilt Rod is connected to the Louvers so the operator can move all Louvers at the same time
The connection between the Louvers and Tilt Rod is almost always accomplished with staple connectors, or in some cases the Tilt Rod contains a metal strip that loops through the Louver staples.
The Louvers pivot within the panel on Louver Pins. These louver pins are almost always nylon. In some cases, manufacturers utilize a wooden dowel that is permanently glued into the louver and rotates within a hole in the Stile
Plantation Shutters can go from looking great to real ugly in a New York minute. All it takes is just one missing Louver staple or a broken Louver to turn your big investment into an eyesore. What is a shame is that most people will live with this unsightly Shutter not knowing that fixing it takes just minutes and can be accomplished by the average homeowner.
So then, lets take a look at some of the more common maladies the Plantation Shutters can have and how the Shuttermedic can help you.
Louver and Tilt Rod becomes disconnected.
When this happens, generally it's a simple task of just ordering replacement staple connectors as long as the wood adjacent to the staple holes is not damaged. If the staple holes in the Tilt Rod or Louver are damaged, then you will likely need to order a replacement louver or tilt rod.
Broken Louver.
If your Louver is broken, and you and willing to mend it yourself, then you will need to get your repaired Louver back into the panel if removing it was necessary to accomplish the repair. The general theory is that you need to be a magician to accomplish this. In fact, what you do need is our specially designed Louver Repair Pin. The pin is spring loaded, and allows for easy reattachment of your repaired Louver into the panel.
If your Louver is beyond repair, then simply order a Replacement Louver Kit. This kit comes with a replacement louver, easy to follow instructions that contain photos, and all the hardware you need to complete the installation. This kit is designed for the average homeowner, and no special tools are required.
Broken Tilt Rod.
At first glance you might think that you are in big trouble. Not to worry, replacing a broken Tilt Rod is just as easy as replacing a broken Louver. If your Tilt Rod contains a metal strip embedded into the length of the Tilt Rod, then listen up. That strip of metal is about twice the thickness of a soda can. The hoops on this strip of aluminum that thread through your Louver only need to be bent back and forth a few time before they break. Since this is a solid strip of aluminum, breaking just one hoop on the Tilt Rod will necessitate replacing the Tilt Rod. Not to worry, ordering your replacement Tilt Rod is easy, and even easier to install. The other style of Tilt Rod generally found on Plantation Shutters uses a staple to staple connection between it and the Louver. Oversized or damaged staple holes are a common problem especially if the Plantation Shutter has experienced some type of blunt force trauma. So the bottom line is, whether your Tilt Rod is fractured or broken simply order a new one. The Tilt Rod Kit is designed with the average homeowner in mind, does not require any special tools to perform the replacement, and contains all the hardware needed to perform the installation. Easy to follow instructions are also included that contain photos demonstrating the installation procedure.
Broken Louver Pin.
Wow, you got lucky! Something probably struck the Louver and broke the pin before breaking the Louver. Simply remove the broken Louver Pin and order a Louver Repair Pin so you can get the Louver back into the panel. No magic wand required.
Panel is falling apart:
Yikes! Now this generally occurs because of weak joints at the corners or the panel where the Rail and Stile join. If your panel inherently had weak joints to start with, then hanging additional panels onto it, as is the case in a bi-fold arrangement simply aggravates the problem. Re-enforcing this connection between the Stile and Rail is easily accomplished by ordering our Plantation Shutter Repair Kit. The kit includes instructions and special screws designed to fix this problem. You will need a drill to perform this procedure.
My Louvers just flop around and don't stay where I leave them.
This is aggravating and unsightly. There is absolutely no reason you should have to deal with this. The reason this is happening is because your panel has lost it's tension. A Plantation Shutter needs a bit of tension in the panel so the louvers stay in the position that you set them. With no tension in the panel, the weight of the Tilt Rod will move the louvers in the down position.
Manufacturers most often design tension into panels using a couple of different methods. The most common methods are tension screws or springs.
Tension screws travel through the Stile and into the louver. When they are tightened, they draw the Louver into the Stile. This causes friction between the Louver and Stile resulting in panel tension. If your panel has these screws, try tightening them. If your panel was constructed with tension screws, they will be recessed into the outer edge of the stile. Manufacturers will sometimes put button caps over these screws to hide them. If this is the case, remove the button cap to access the tension screw. Tighten this screws with a phillips screw driver. If this does not work, it is likely that the screw no longer has enough wood in the louver hole to get a good bite and is stripped. Removing this screw and using a longer screw will generally do the trick if it is stripped.
Another tension method is the use of spring(s) in the Stile holes. The spring pushes the louver into the adjacent Stile, which again results in friction and panel tension. If your panel has no tension screws, it likely has springs. If your springs have sprung, then read on.
Ok your panel does not contain tension screws, and you have no way of getting to the springs in the stile without removing louvers. Read on...
The easy do-it-yourself fix to this problem are tension washers. These washers are easily installed on your problem shutter. They are designed to increase the tension to a point that the louvers will stay where you leave them. Depending on the size of the panel, and how much tension was lost will determine how many tension washers you will need. From experience, a panel that is 20" wide and 40" long will use from two(2) to (4) tension washers. No special tools are needed, it is an easy do it yourself task, and instructions are included with the order.
My Hinges look old and tired.
How about a shutter face lift? If you have changed your decor, or paint scheme, it may be time to change your shutter hinges. This can be accomplished easily with a screwdriver. We offer a wide range of hinge styles and finishes. Changing your shutter hardware will really make a difference!
Shutter panels will not stay closed.
Shutter panels are kept closed by utilizing either shutter magnets or shutter button catches.
Shutter magnets come in a couple of different styles. Replacing them simply requires a screwdriver. The outer casing of the magnets is made of plastic. If the screws used to attach the magnet to the window sill or shutter frame were over-tightened, this could cause the plastic to break over time. Additionally, over time, sun and heat can cause this plastic to become brittle and fail.
The other part of the shutter magnet which can cause problems is the strike plate. This plate is made of metal, and attached to the shutter. Two common problems occur with the strike plate. The first is that it is missing! The second common problem is painting over the strike plate. Either one of these will cause no or little magnetic adhesion.
Shutter button catches consist of two pieces, the catch and a button. The button is attached to the shutter, and the catch is attached to the window sill or shutter frame. When the shutter is closed, the button is pushed into the catch, it expands, then catches the button.
Button catches can be removed and installed by simply using a screw driver. Over time, buttons can get brittle and break. Catches can get bent. No problem, just order replacements and you are good as gold.
Adding function and Style is easier than you think !
Shutter Knobs are functional, and a great way to give your shutters some pop. They come in a number of different styles and finishes. Installation is easy, and can be accomplished without any special tools or skills.
Additional Aid
If you are in need of service or parts not listed on the Shuttermedic.com website, just drop us an email and we will do all we can to help.
Call Toll Free 866-391-2320
Email us: patrick@shuttermedic.com
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