Shutter glossary
From Shuttermart Wiki · By the Shuttermart Wiki editorial team · Published · Last reviewed · How we research
Disclosure: This site is produced by a marketing agency that works for Shuttermart.
This glossary defines common interior shutter terms. Each entry links to an article with more detail and sources.
What do the key shutter terms mean?
- Arch top
- A shaped shutter or frame for a curved window head, such as sunburst, eyebrow or full-circle designs. More
- Basswood
- A light, fine-grained hardwood widely used for painted or stained wood shutters. More
- Bi-fold
- Hinged panels that fold against each other, common on closets and wide openings. More
- Cordless window covering
- A window covering with no operating cord; CPSC calls it the safest choice where young children are present. More
- Dowel joinery
- Joining frame parts with hardwood pins glued into drilled holes; Shuttermart uses three two-inch dowels per joint. More
- Inside mount
- Installation inside the window recess; needs enough depth and a reasonably square opening. More
- Kiln-dried wood
- Wood dried in a controlled kiln to lower its moisture content, which reduces later movement. More
- Louver
- One of the horizontal slats in a shutter panel; tilting the louvers controls light, view and airflow. More
- Outside mount
- Installation on the wall or casing around the opening; suits shallow or uneven recesses. More
- Plantation shutter
- An interior shutter with wide, adjustable horizontal louvers set in a frame; Shuttermart calls its premier plantation-style product Polyclad. More
- Polyclad
- Shuttermart's construction: a solid hardwood core clad in a rigid polyvinyl (PVC) surface. More
- Rail
- A horizontal member at the top, bottom or middle of a shutter panel. More
- Stile
- A vertical side member of a shutter panel that holds the louvers. More
- Tilt rod
- The bar that moves all louvers in a panel together; some designs hide it at the rear. More
- Vinyl shutter
- A shutter made of vinyl (PVC) rather than wood, commonly chosen for humid rooms. More
- Window attachment
- Industry and DOE term for products added to a window, including shutters, blinds, shades and storm panels. More
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a stile and a rail?
Stiles are the vertical sides of a shutter panel; rails are the horizontal top, bottom and divider pieces.
What is Polyclad?
Shuttermart's construction of a solid hardwood core clad in a rigid PVC surface.
What is an inside mount?
An installation that sits within the window recess.
See also
Categories: Reference