Bahama Shutters - Exterior shutter type designed to cover a single window with one panel. Shutters are hinged at the top and are propped open at the bottom. Often shutter panels us a vertical sub-stile.
Bermuda Shutters - Same as Bahama Shutters.
Board and Batten - An exterior shutter style that consists of vertical boards with or without spaces between. Horizontal boards connect the vertical boards.
Cafe Type - A shutter unit that only covers the lower portion of a window.
Custom (Custom Made) - A shutter unit that is made specifically for an individual window opening. See Custom Made Shutters vs. Customized Shutters.
Customized - A shutter unit that is made for an individual window by converting pre-made shutters panels to fit the opening See Custom Made Shutters vs. Customized Shutters.
Divider Rail - A horizontal bar that creates top and bottom louver sections. It looks like the top or bottom rail and allows the sections to rotate independently.
Double Tier - A shutter unit that has one set of shutters on the top and one on the bottom. Each set of shutters opens independently of the other.
Exterior Shutters - Designed specifically for outdoor use.
Finish - Paint or Stain.
Fixed Louvers - Set in a single uniform position so the louvers do not move. Most often at an angle to block direct sunlight and allow for ventilation. Used frequently for exterior shutters.
Frame - Used for mounting custom shutter units to the outside of a window opening and can have either 3 or 4 sides.
Hanging Hinge - A hinge that connects a shutter panel to the window jamb or hanging strip.
Hang (or Hanging) Strip - A strip that extends the length of the shutter unit hinged to the outside panel. The strip is screwed to the wall or window jamb.
Hardware - The device(s) that attach shutters to the window, holds the shutters in a fixed position, assist in the function, or add to the design of shutters. Hardware is most often metal.
Hinge - A two-leaf device that connects a shutter to the mounting surface or joins two shutters together.
Interior Shutters - Designed specifically for indoor use.
Interpanel Hinge - A hinge that connects two panels.
Lock Rail - Same as Divider Rail.
Louver - Slats contained within a shutter panel - can be movable or fixed.
Mortise - A rectangular cavity in shutter stile for inserting a hinge - allowing a tighter fit to the side of the window or hang strip. See Mortise.
Movable Louvers - Adjustable slats that can be rotated into the desired position.
Panel - A single shutter. Most shutter units consist of more than one shutter panel.
Plantation - 1-1/8" shutter panel with louvers generally larger than 1-7/8".
Rabbet - A cut or groove along the edge of a stile between panels that allows them to form a joint to reduce light penetration.
Rail - Horizontal bar at the top, bottom, or across the center (divider rail).
Raised Panel Shutters - Shutters that consist of raised panel boards between the stiles and rails.
Shaker Shutters - Exterior shutter style that use "shakers" in place of louvers. Shakers are arranged flush to the front with a zero degree angle.
Shutter - A panel usually consisting of two side stiles, a top and a bottom rail, and louvers, raised panels, or fabric in between.
Stile - Vertical bar found along either side of a shutter panel.
Sub-Stile - Vertical stile located within the shutter panel to create two louver or raised panel areas.
Style - Any number of names used to describe a particular shutter design. Some manufacturers may invent new terms for a particular configuration. Some examples of style names include plantation, traditional, board & batten, shaker, or raised panel. .
Tilt Bar - The horizontal bar used for adjusting the louver position.
Traditional - 3/4" shutter panel with 1-1/4" louvers.
Unit - Shutter panels and other necessary components (hanging strips, hardware, etc.) that work together to fit a window opening.
