About Bahama Shutter Installation, How to Install Plantation Shutters, Plantation Shutter Installation Instructions Etc.

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What are Decorative Shutter Hinges?

Shutters add visual interest to your house facade and protect the vulnerable windows during heavy storms. Decorative shutter hinges allow shutters to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, since they are able to swing shut without sacrificing a fashionable design impact.

Decorative shutter hinges link the trim of the shutters to the casing of exterior or interior windows. They bring interest to the edifice of your home in areas where climate requires shutters to be secured during hurricanes. This piece of hardware comes in a wide variety of sizes, finishes, and designs to set your home apart from the architecture of your neighborhood or blend with the existing hardware.

One structural division in decorative shutter hinges is between mortise hinges, mounted to the side and front of the window, and front-mounted hinges that lay flat. For example, spear or strap hinges have a small plate attached to an elongated bar designed to hold heavier wood shutters. Butt or blind hinges are simple, symmetrical hinges whose flat surface can be etched with intricate motifs such as scrolls or animals. The L-strap, or New York style, mortise hinges have an old-fashioned look perfect for heavy shutters, while the delicate front-mounted butterfly hinges take the insect shape with scalloped edges. If you need your shutters to maintain a narrow gap between their panels to increase air circulation, you might want to install H-hinges.

Companies specializing in antique reproductions resurrect many designs of decorative shutter hinges. They have recreated hinges covered in an ornate Victorian design, an elegant Fleur de Lis, or a geometric Art Deco pattern. These are often made of copper, brass, nickel, or cast iron. The metal can be finished in an antique, polished, black, matte, chrome, or hand-hammered treatment for textural variety, and to further relate the hinge to a specific architectural era. Even a plain central pin can be augmented into a finial. Of course, there are matching hardware accessories for decorative shutter hinges, such as tiebacks, latches, dogs, and knobs, which create a unified effect. (For more info, visit: wise geek)

About Optical Choppers and Optical Shutters

Optical choppers are mechanical or electronic devices that pass then interrupt a beam of light for a known brief interval. Optical shutters, by contrast, are mechanical or electronic devices used to control the amount of time that a light sensitive material is exposed to radiation. Technologies used for optical choppers and optical shutters include liquid crystals, rotating shutters, tuning forks, etc.

Optical choppers and optical shutters are in several configurations: variable frequency rotating disks, fixed frequency tuning fork choppers, and optical shutters.

Rotating disk optical choppers are used in situations where frequency, aperture size, or mark/space ratios (duty cycle) are variable. The variable frequency rotating disks resemble small fans. They have a slotted disk mounted on a motor head, and can be used at a variety of frequencies by adjusting the motor speed. An optical switch senses disk position and provides a reference output to automatically adjust the chopping frequency. The entire device is often connected to an external signal so that the optical chopper maintains the same speed and frequency as the system in which it is placed.

Tuning fork choppers, also called resonant choppers, are appropriate for optical chopping when a single known fixed frequency is desired and small size is require, or long life needed. Tuning fork optical choppers resemble musical tuning forks with small vanes mounted on the tines. They vibrate in response to an AC signal at a specific resonant frequency. Their vibration occurs at a frequency fixed by the mechanics of the structure. Fork optical choppers are extremely durable and have no wearing parts. As a result they are often used in high acceleration and vibration applications, in which they provide a long service life. Tuning fork optical choppers are versatile and are usable at extreme temperature or in a vacuum.

Optical shutters differ from optical choppers in that they are not limited to a simple periodic on-off cycle. They follow an arbitrary, varying pattern of openings and closings. Optical shutters are useful for low frequency chopping, particularly when slow behavior is desired. Optical shutters respond to a TTL input waveform. When the single vane mounted behind the aperture receives a signal, it moves; either opening or closing the aperture. The vane can be stopped in either the open or closed position.

Bahama Shutter Installation

Tools that are required are a level, drill driver bits, appropriate fasteners, tape measure, ladder and a pencil.

Step 1, Measure width of opening and mark the center at the top 1-1/2" up from window opening on the window header.

Step 2, Measure hinge at top of shutter panel and mark the center of the hinge. Mark every 10"-16" right and left of center mark.

Step 3, Drill 1/4" hole in hinge at previous marks on hinge.

Step 4, Place shutter over opening aligning center hole in hinge with mark on header. Check for even overlap above and below opening. If there is a sill rest the shutter on the sill and mark the header thru the center hole in the hinge.

Step 5, Set aside shutter and drill appropriate size hole in header 1/4" above mark made in previous step.

Step 6, Attach shutter thru hole in center of hinge using appropriate fastener. Snug the fastener up to the point the shutter stays in place but can still be moved.

Step 7, Level shutter. Stand back and check the look for consistency of overlap. Tighten the fastener so the shutter wont move while completing the installation.

Step 8, Drill holes thru hinge into header as before and using appropriate fasteners attach the hinge firmly in place.

Step 9, Attach support tubes to shutter panel using supplied fasteners. Then lift up panel and extend each arm to the face of the building. The arms should be at a 90 degree angle to the building.

Step 10, Using the supplied support arm brackets attach them to the surface of the wall in the position that allows the panel to close completely on the surface of the building. You will receive more detailed instructions with your shutters. There are a couple of variations on how and where the support arms and brackets can be attached.

Step 11, Adjust the arm extensions to the desired point that provides the most effective angle for your Bahama shutter. (Visit: storm shutters to get more info)

How to Install Plantation Shutters

Steps:

1. These shutters are “custom” built, meaning that just as identical window openings vary slightly in width and height, the custom shutters built for those windows also vary to the same degree. Sort through the shutter panels in your order so that you know which panels combine to fit in each window opening. Each shutter panel, on the end, will be marked with your acknowledgement number, and with the number of the item on the acknowledgement (item #1 = window opening #1) to help you pair the panels up.

2. Within each window grouping all shutter panels will be the same height. Arrange the panels so that the rabbeted edges (see figure below) overlap each other properly. When all panels, mounting strips and hinges are placed together properly in this type of "framed” mount, the total width and height of the set should be the same as the width and height measurements given in your order.

3. Install shutter panels with the “notch” for the pushrod at the top. When installed, the pushrod faces the room.

4. Each piece of mounting strip is precisely cut. If your original measurements on the order were accurate, these strips should not require adjustment or modification.

5. On a flat surface, assemble the 3- or 4-sided frame for your shutters using the included screws in the pre-drilled, counter-sunk screw holes that are perpendicular to each miter cut. Be very careful not to put undue strain on the corners of the frame as you handle it. Excessive force applied to the screws will split the wood. When the frame is assembled, place the shutter panels in position and replace all included hinge pins.

6. Attach the framing pieces to your window jamb with ~60mm drywall screws, if you have either wooden or drywall jambs. Jambs of other types of material (brick, cement, metal, etc.) will require other types of screws or fasteners.

7. Place the frame (usually done without the shutters in place … remove hinge pins) in the window. The mounting strip should be attached to the jamb with screws as shown in the drawing at the top of the first page. They recommend that you “counter-sink” the screws so when installation is complete the heads of the screws will be out of sight below the surface of the strip.

8. In this type of mount, it is sometimes necessary to “shim” between a framing piece and the jamb so the frame will be square and the shutter panels will fit properly within it. If spacer shims are needed, back the mounting screws out, insert the shims, and re-tighten the screws. Do not use excessive force in tightening the mounting screws because this could split the wood. Once firmly attached, replace the hinge pins you removed in the previous step. Carefully swing the shutter open to check for alignment problems in relation to the sill.

9. The magnets will be mounted at the top immediately behind the shutter panels on the edge of the top mounting strip that faces down. With the left shutter panel open on it’s hinges, position a magnetic catch immediately behind the "stile" of the right panel. Using the 2 matching screws provided, attach the magnet to the trim. Magnetically stick the strike plate to the magnet with the 2 tiny "points" facing the room, then gently press the shutter panel against the strike plate to make marks in the wood of the shutter "stile". Using those marks as your placement guide, attach the strike plate to the back of the "stile" with the smallest screw provided (see figure below, left). Using the same procedure, attach any other magnetic catches that are appropriate to your installation. If you prefer, the magnets can be mounted to the sill, or to the bottom strip of a 4-sided frame.

10. Use the touch-up paint (included if the shutters were painted at the factory) on any areas which were marred during the project.

11. All shutter panels come with "tension" screws deeply counter-sunk in each vertical edge. By simply turning the screw a little clockwise or counter-clockwise with your Phillips head screw driver, you can gently tighten or loosen the louver/pushrod tension in each individual panel to suit your preferences. When adjusting the tension, always spread the amount of adjustment evenly between all screws in BOTH edges of the individual panel. (Continue to learn more about Shutter Hinge, please visit: decorama)

Plantation Shutter Installation Instructions

Step 1 - Assemble shutter frame.

Remove filler strips form the front of each shutter frame piece to expose predrilled screw holes (a screwdriver may be necessary to remove strip). Lay out the four frame pieces on the floor or similar surface. Using a hammer, install butterfly clamps at each corner (you may need a hard surface under corners). Insert 11/2" screws in corners.

Step 2 - Hanging Aluminum Strip (optional)

(If assistance is available, this step may be skipped).

Measure 2" above the window opening. Align the bottom of the strip at the 2" mark with the beveled side up and facing forward. Center and secure to wall with on 11/2" screw in center. Use a level and insert remaining screws.

Step 3 - Hanging the Frame

Hanging the frame over the window, catching the back groove onto the aluminum strip (if used). Make sure the framework is level and centered with the window. Attach the top portion of the frame to the wall with the 2 ?" screws provided through the predrilled holes in the order shown (1-4). Do not over tighten screws. Remaining screws will be inserted later.

Step 4 - Install Shutter Panels

With the tilt bar notch up, fasten a shutter panel to the frame by aligning shutter and frame hinges. Insert hinge pins. If pins don't slide easily, move back and forth until the hinge pin slides into position. Hang all panels.

Step 5 - Checking Shutter Panels

With shutter panels in place, grasp the bottom lift and /or right side of the shutter frame. Using a soft rocking motion, shift the frame left to right until shutter panels are evenly aligned. It is appropriate for shutter panels to rest on the bottom frame piece may need to be lifted in the center prior to inserting screws, particularly on wide frames. Secure the remainder of the shutter frame to the wall using the 2 ?" screws provided.

Step 6 - Filler Strips

Important: Double check shutter operation and alignment before installing filler strips, Filler strips should mot be removed once in place. Install filler strips marrow or outside edge first, and then snap into place. (If you want to know more about Shutter Hinge, visit: wholesale window coverings)

How to Measure for Kestrel Shutters

1. From where do they measure?

Typically both interior and exterior shutters are mounted within the Window opening. This is referred to as an inside mount. For inside mounted shutters you would measure between the side window jambs/casings for the width and from the inside edge of the top jamb/casing to the sill/floor for the height.

When there is not enough depth for the shutters or you wish the shutters to cover over the entire opening, trim work and all, you would use an outside mount. For outside mounted shutters you would measure the distance between the outer edges of the side trim for the width and from the top of the top trim to the sill/floor for the height.

Outside mounted shutters will require a separate piece of wood from which to hang the shutters. This must be properly mounted into a wall stud to ensure that it will hold the weight of the shutters.

2. How do they know if their window is deep enough for an inside mount?

Use the following guide to determine the window depth you need.

·Raised / Flat / Recessed panel shutters - 1.3/8" depth

·Fixed louver shutters - 1.3/8" depth.

·1.7/8" Traditional operable louver shutters - 1.3/4" depth.

·2.1/2" Plantation operable louver shutters - 2" depth

·3.1/2" California/Contemporary operable louver shutters - 2.7/8" depth

If your window does not have this depth you will most likely need to go with an outside mount installation. Please note that the above depth allowances take into consideration that the standard thickness of all Kestrel shutters is 1.1/4". Thinner shutters measuring 13/16" thick are also available. These are typically used for cabinet doors and for older homes where the shutters sat within wall pockets.

3. What if their windows are not square?

It is always a good idea to measure each opening in more than one place so as to make sure that the opening is square. If the opening is not square you have a few options:

·Order shutters to fit the largest size of the opening and then trim down the edges to match the window.

·Mount strips of wood to the inside of the window frame. These strips should be tapered to compensate for the window frame being out of square. The shutters can then be mounted to these strips.

·Mount strips of wood to the outside of the window frame. This would essentially create a new frame which is square. The shutters can then be mounted to these strips. This is in essence using an outside mount.

·Order shutters for the smaller size to avoid any trimming. This will result in some light seeping in through the gaps where the opening is larger. Small wooden strips can be tacked to the inside of your opening, just behind the shutters, to prevent this. Having an overlap rabbet where the shutters meet will also keep light out.

4. How many shutters should there be in each opening?

As all windows are a different size they do not make stock shutters. Every shutter is made for a specific opening for each individual order. This means their shutters are custom sized and this allows you to have any number of individual shutters within an opening that you would like. Here are a few things to consider when determining how many shutters to place within an opening:

·Does the window open? If not, you will most likely not have reason to open the shutter frame often except to wash the window glass. This would be a reason to go with as few shutters as possible. This will maximize visibility and mini