Plantation Shutter Construction

Plantation Construction Main Plantation Construction Sub1

Production of every plantation shutter unit begins with the hand selection of premium quality, kiln-dried northern basswood. Only the straightest wood with the most uniform grain is chosen. We never used pressed woods, veneers, or synthetic plastics in production.

From raw basswood, we mill components used throughout the assembly process. Specific components are then cut into lengths for each individual plantation shutter. Because we custom build each plantation shutter unit to the 1/16”, precision is crucial.

Wide elliptical-shaped plantation shutter louvers are attached to the tilt bar with non-corroding, glue-coated staples. Holes are drilled into the side stiles by precision machinery that ensures equal spacing between louvers.

A plantation shutter panel is complete when all of the individual components come together. Joints between stiles and rails are doweled and glued for strength and durability. Self-tensioning nylon pins connect the louvers to the side stiles to provide uniform balanced rotation and for the louvers to remain in the desired position.

Plantation Construction Sub2

To achieve a more tailored fit in the window, hinges are mortised into the plantation shutter panel and stiles are rabbeted where two panels meet. This diminishes opportunities for light to penetrate between plantation shutters.

Fully assembled plantation shutters advance to the finishing department. All plantation shutters are thoroughly sanded prior to being painted or stained. Painted shutters are then sealed, re-sanded, primed, sanded again, and covered with two satin-finish top coats. Stained shutters are hand dipped, hand rubbed, sealed, re-sanded, and protected with two clear top coats. Plantation shutters are allowed to dry for a minimum of 48 hours before further handling.

Finally, individual plantation shutters are assembled into complete units with all hardware and hanging strips, or frames, attached. Following a final inspection, plantation shutters are wrapped in paper to protect the finish and carefully packed into heavy cartons for shipping.

We take great pride in manufacturing the finest quality custom-made plantation shutters in the industry. We want you to enjoy your shutters for years to come.

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A shutter unit that only covers the lower portion of a window.
A shutter unit that is made specifically for an individual window opening.
A horizontal bar that creates top and bottom louver sections, allowing the sections to rotate independently.
A shutter unit that has one set of shutters on the top and one on the bottom.
Ornamental wood attached to the wall to the outside of the window opening. Generally used to give the window a finished appearance.
Paint or stain.
Used for mounting custom shutter units to the outside of a window opening and can have either 3 or 4 sides.
A vertical strip that extends the length of the shutter unit hinged to the outside stile of a shutter panel. Generally used for cafe type shutter units.
Measurement top to bottom of the window opening according to our measuring instructions. Or, the desired panel height for café type shutters.
A two-leaf device that connects a shutter to the mounting surface or joins two shutters together.
Movable horizontal slats contained within a shutter panel.
A rectangular cavity in shutter stile for inserting a hinge – allowing a tighter fit to the side of the window or hang strip.
A single shutter. Most shutter units consist of more than one shutter panel.
A cut or groove along the edge of a stile between panels that allows them to form a joint to reduce light penetration.
Horizontal bar at the top, bottom, or across the center (divider rail).
A shutter unit that has one set of shutters from top to bottom.
A window is considered square if the difference between the largest measurement and the smallest is no larger than 3/16 inches and the difference between the diagonal measurements is less than 3/16 inches.
Vertical bar found along either side of a shutter panel.
Traditional or Plantation.
The number of shutter panels from top to bottom. See single tier and double tier.
Vertical bar used for adjusting the louver position.
Shutter panels and other necessary components (hanging strips, hardware, etc.)
that work together to fit a window opening.
Area just beyond the window opening if there is no existing trim.
Measurement side to side of the window opening according to our measuring instructions.
Vertical sides of the window opening. This area will be used to attach a shutter unit using either the INJ or INH mounting methods.