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.