Terminology
Astragal: A strip shaped like a "T" that helps to eliminate light gaps between left and right pane when no rabbet stile exists
Beading: Decorative molding or routing performed most often on stiles and framing materials.
Biscuit: A wood component used, along with glue, to fasten two pieces of wood together (similar to a dowel).
Bull Nose: A rounded or obtuse exterior angle, as the corner made by two walls.
Center (Divider) Rail: Divider rail that is inserted to strengthen panel or divide panel into sections for combinations.
Clearance: The amount of space needed to allow the louver to move freely behind the back of a panel.
Divider Rail: A rail that adds strength to tall panels and divides them into two sections in which louvers operate independently of each other.
Double Hung: Two independently operated panels, one mounted on top of the other.
Frame: Used to support and or increase the window depth clearance allowing louvers on back side of panel to clear obstructions.
Framed Shutters: A shutter system installed inside special custom moldings.
Hanging Strip: A piece of wood which is mounted in or onto a window or door onto which the shutters are mounted. The adjustable hanging strip system allows installation adjustment for out-of-square windows and provides for light control.
Hinge: The metal mechanism that attaches to the shutter stile and connects the panel to the frame, hanging strip or another panel and allows for shutter operation.
Hoffman Keys: Shaped like a butterfly, they are fasteners used in connecting miter corners of frames.
Hidden Tilt Rod: Tilt rod is a “hidden" gear built into the stile allowing the louvers to be free of a traditional tilt rod.
Inside Mount: A shutter mounted inside of a window opening.
Light Stop: Small strip of wood or part of shutter against which panels or louvers close to prevent light penetration.
L-Frame: May be used for inside mounts on windows with existing wall trim and some depth clearance, if window openings are only slightly out of square.
Louvers: The movable blades within a shutter panel that control light and privacy.
Louver Pin: Small part that connects louver to the panel and permits the louver to rotate. Usually made of nylon or wood
Mortise: A cavity cut into the wood.
Mortised Hinges: Hinges that require a mortise for proper installation (see mortise).
Mouse Hole: A cavity in the rail in which the tilt rod rests.
Non-Mortised Hinges: Hinges that do not require a mortise for proper installation.
Outside mount: A shutter panel mounted outside of the window case.
Panel: A shutter panel consists of at least two stiles, two rails, one tilt rod, and any number of louvers.
Rabbet Stile: A profile cut into the stile which allows them to overlap. Prevent light from penetrating between the panels.
Rail: The horizontal top and bottom members of a shutter panel.
Repair Pins: Spring loaded louver pins designed to retract flush for the purpose of inserting a louver into an existing shutter panel.
Sill: Bottom horizontal member of window opening.
Stiles: Vertical member of the shutter panel to which the louvers are attached.
Stile-Louver Clearance: Space between inside of a stile and louver end. Well-constructed panels generally have 1/32" clearance
Tension Screw: A screw used to adjust the tension of louvers. They are recessed into outer edge of stile often covered with a button plug.
Tilt Rod: A vertical bar located on the front of the panels attached to louvers. Used to adjust the position of louvers.
T-Post: A vertical post used to support different sections of shutters in wide windows.
Track: Metal hardware used to support panels from overhead in bypass and bi-fold installations.
Window Depth: The distance from the surface of the wall to the closest part of the window.
X-dor Handle: Projects the handle out, thus moving it away from the door and adding the needed room required for window treatments while still allowing the handle to function as intended.
Z-Frame: Used for inside mount applications with drywall openings. Good for slightly out of square windows because extended leg covers any imperfections.