The pictures above are from a recently shutter project we had the privilege of doing for a remodel in Tempe, Arizona.  The customer opted for a medium "Z" frame, with 3.5" louvers, a standard tilt bar, and a bright white finish.  However, on two of the bedroom windows there was a chair rail in the bottom portion of the sill and a hand crank mechanism for outdoor rolling storm shutters on one side.  This necessitated some special considerations.

What we did for these bedroom windows was move to a standard "L" frame and designed it to work as an inside mount.  All other specifications remained the same.  But, additional standardization was required as the window frames were not square.  So, our master installer needed to provide fill and chalking to cover the uneven light gaps on the side.  When he was done the customer commented, "I can't even tell that this needed to be caulked."

Shutters are always a great option for any remodel as they are timeless and tend to hold their value over time.

Of course, we would love to help you with your shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new shutters might cost.

Here is something to consider when ordering plantation shutters - does it have an astragal stile?  So, what is an astragal stile?  It is an extra feature which covers the gap made as two panels meet.  Some shutters come with a rabbited stile which is a slight overlap of the panels - sort of looks like the panels are notched.  Other shutters come with neither - meaning a slight gap exists between the panels.

In our opinion the astragal stile provides the cleanest finished look, as any slight imperfection in the window or wood is impossible to detect.  The astragal stile accomplishes this by doing the best job of all the options of hiding any light gap.  Your eye will likely notice a light gap that is uneven - even if it is very slight and within industry manufacturing standards.  Because of this, unless you have a very specific reason, you should seek a shutter with an astragal stile where the shutters meet in the middle.

Keep in mind, this astragal is really only needed where opposite side panels meet.  You do not need an astragal where same side hinged panels meet.  See diagrams below.

One option for your plantation shutter project is called a split rod.  This refers to a divided tilt rod. Instead of one continuous tilt rod, the rod is split so that sections of louvers can operate independently of each other. This achieves the same purpose of a divider rail, without the insertion of the divider rail.  A split tilt option is also available with the hidden tilt feature.  The picture above is an example of a shutter with the split "hidden" tilt option.

For us, this split rod feature is available for no additional charge, so it really just becomes a design choice.  Ask yourself, do you want to open up the top portion of your shutters for light and view while the bottom portion is closed for privacy?  Are you okay with seeing the top portion louvers at a different angle than the bottom portion without a solid rail between them as a separator?  Would you be okay with a tilt rod down the center of your panel that has a break at some point and as such the rods lean in a slightly different directions?

These are the sorts of design preference questions that are worth considering as you think about whether a split rod feature makes sense on your plantation shutter project.

Of course, we would love to help you with your shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new shutters might cost.

Certain applications and decor requires the functionality of a bi-fold track system for sliding door openings and/or room openings.

When two or more panels are hinged together to fold up adjacent to each other, they are called bifold panels. A single track system is used for a bi-fold track system. Panels must be hinged together in multiples of two. The top fascia is 2 ½”, the same as Medium Z-frame. The header and side legs are made of 1” rail material. A standard 1” floor clearance is also provided and cannot be modified. Corner fascias are included on O.M. and net width orders only.

All fascia over 8’ (or 96”) are provided in two pieces with 45 degree miter joint for both faux wood and real wood shutters.

These diagrams should help you visualize how these type of shutters work with some of the specifications.