Center Tilt Rod








A traditionally constructed wood plantation shutter uses a tilt rod centered on the front of the panel (pictured above).  The tilt rod is connected to all of the louvers by means of  interlocking shutter staples.  Wood plantation shutters have utilized these construction principles for hundreds of years.

If your shutter has a traditional tilt rod located in the center then select Traditional Center option in the drop down menu titled [Confirm Tilt Rod Location on Louver].  


Traditional Other
















 In rare cases manufactures will move the tilt rod off center to one side or the other. This is done for aesthetic reasons. If your shutter has a traditional tilt not located in the center (pictured above) then select Traditional Other  option in the drop down menu titled [Confirm Tilt Rod Location on Louver].  Measure the distance from one end of the louver to the center of the louver staple.  During the check out phase enter this measurement in the Customer Comments Section using the following terminology: "Center of louver staple is ____ inches from end of louver."


In an effort to modernize the look of plantation shutters some manufactures offer a hidden tilt rod system.  Customers replacing damaged louver(s) that are attached to a hidden tilt rod will be required to perform a few extra steps that customers with traditional tilt rods do not. 

Now let's explain what a hidden tilt rod is and the additional steps that will be required of you when replacing your damaged louver.  

Although the design of hidden tilt rod systems vary from one manufacturer to the next,  there are basically two types.

Internal Tilt Rod











The first type of hidden tilt rod is internal (pictured above). Internal tilt rods consist of a mechanism contained in one of the shutter stiles.  This type of hidden tilt rod requires a special louver pin on the same side as the hidden tilt rod.  When replacing a damaged louver with this system it is important that you save this special louver pin. When removing your damaged louver, cut the pin on the opposite side of the hidden tilt rod.  It will be necessary to re-use this special hidden tilt rod pin when installing your replacement louver.  Normally we would drill a round hole on each end of your replacement louver for a standard louver pin.  However, if your shutter has this hidden tilt system we will delete the round louver pin hole on one end of your replacement louver.  Modification to this end of your louver for the special pin will need to be performed on site. 

If your shutter was constructed with an internal tilt rod then select this option in the drop down menu titled [Confirm Tilt Rod Location on Louver].  Note that the traditional louver staple holes will be deleted.

Hidden Tilt Rod




















The other type of hidden tilt rod utilizes a single metal or plastic strip that is attached to the back of the panel on the end of the louvers and is called a hidden tilt rod strip (see photo above).  This strip is attached by means of a nail or screw.  When removing the damaged louver first detach the louver from the hidden tilt rod.  Once detached, cut the louver pin located on the side of the louver opposite the hidden tilt rod.  Save the louver pin on the side of the hidden tilt rod for use with your replacement louver.  Using the hidden tilt rod strip as a template mark the location where your screw/nail will be placed.  To prevent cracking of the replacement louver it is recommended that you pre-drill this location using a 1/16th inch diameter drill bit.  Glue is included with your kit for use in securing the nail in the hole.  Any additional modification such as notches are also to be accomplished on site.  If your shutter is constructed with a hidden tilt rod strip enter then select this option in the drop down menu titled [Confirm Tilt Rod Location on Louver].  Note that the traditional louver staple holes will be deleted.