Plantation shutter glossary
Shutter terms in plain words
25 words you'll hear when shopping for shutters, each explained in a sentence or two.
Arched shutter
- A shutter shaped to follow a curved window top, such as a full arch, a half-round or an eyebrow. Arched shutters
Basswood
- A lightweight hardwood used for shutters. It holds paint and stain well, so it can be finished in any color. Basswood vs. poly shutters
Bay window
- A window that pushes out from the wall, usually a large center window with an angled window on each side. Each window gets its own shutter. Bay window shutters
Clearview
Also called: Hidden tilt, invisible tilt
- A shutter style with the tilt rod hidden at the back of the panel, leaving an open view between the louvers. Also called hidden tilt or invisible tilt. Clearview or traditional
Consultation
- A free visit to your home where we bring samples, look at each window and give you a quote. Book a free consultation
Divider rail
- An optional fixed rail part of the way up the panel. It splits the louvers into two groups, so you can keep the bottom closed for privacy and the top open for light. Divider rails and split tilt
Double panel
- Two panels on one window that open from the middle, used on wider windows. Single or double panel
Eyebrow window
- A window with a shallow curved top, wider than it is tall. It is shuttered with a shaped top piece. Arched shutters
Final measure
- The visit where we take exact measurements of every opening before your shutters are built. How to measure for shutters
Frame
- The border that is fastened to your window opening. The panels hang from it, so the shutter sits square even when the window isn't. How to measure the opening
French door shutter
- A shutter mounted on the door itself, planned around the handle, so it swings with the door. French door shutters
Hinges
- They attach each panel to the frame and let it swing open like a door.
Inside mount
- A shutter that sits inside the window opening, which is how most plantation shutters are fitted. How to measure for shutters
Louver pins
- Small pins at each end of a louver. They hold it in the stile and let it pivot. Shutter repair
Louvers
Also called: Slats
- The slats that tilt to control light, privacy and airflow. Ours come in 2½, 3½ and 4½ inch sizes: smaller for more privacy, larger for more light and view. Louver sizes
Panel
- The door-like section that holds the louvers. Panels swing open on hinges for cleaning or a full view. A window gets one, two or more panels depending on its width. Single or double panel
Plantation shutter
Also called: Interior shutter
- An interior window covering made of hinged panels with wide louvers that tilt to control light, privacy and airflow. What are plantation shutters?
Poly
Also called: Polymer, composite
- A solid synthetic shutter material that resists moisture and humidity. A good fit for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. Basswood vs. poly shutters
Single panel
- One panel covering the whole window, hinged on one side. Used on narrower windows. Single or double panel
Split tilt
- Louvers divided into a top and a bottom group that tilt separately, without a visible divider rail. Divider rails and split tilt
Staple
- The small metal loop that connects each louver to a front tilt rod. A broken staple leaves one louver out of step with the rest. Shutter repair
Stiles
- The two vertical sides of each panel. Every louver is pinned into the stiles at both ends.
Tilt rod
Also called: Tilt bar
- The bar that links the louvers so they all move together. A traditional tilt rod runs down the front of the panel; a Clearview shutter hides it at the back for an open view. Clearview or traditional
Top and bottom rails
- The horizontal pieces at the top and bottom of each panel. Together with the stiles they make the panel rigid.
Traditional tilt
- A shutter with the tilt rod running down the front of the panel: the classic plantation shutter look. Clearview or traditional