Glossary of terms
- Air freight: Our Express Delivery option takes the wait down to approximately 6 to 8 weeks. There is an additional surcharge depending on the square meterage of your order.
- Aluminium shutters : Our security shutters are made out of aluminium to increase security and privacy. They have tamper-proof aluminium hinges, top and bottom locking rods, and strip proof locks.
- Arched window: A window where the bottom half of the window is rectangular and the top section is an arch or half-circle.
- Awnings: A cover extending over an outside area or window.
- Bay window : Bay windows are a common style of window found in many London homes, they have multiple different sections.
- Beaded Stile: A beaded stile features a decorative ridge along the edge to add an extra feature to the shutter.
- Bifold: Two panels hinged together which fold against each other.
- Box bay window : A window with multiple panels join at a 90-degree angle forming a window structure that resembles either a half-rectangle or a square.
- Café Style : Shutters that don’t cover the entire height of the window; they are situated at the bottom half of the window and don’t go the whole way up.
- Centred tilt rod: A central tilt rod placement is the most recognisable in traditional shutter design and creates symmetry across panels. The tilt rod is positioned in the middle of the panel.
- Corner post: A frame which fits at a 90 degree angle in a box bay.
- Craftwood MDF : Our entry-level material, engineered wood with an intelligent combination of Low Density Fibreboard, High Density Fibreboard and Medium Density Fibreboard encased in an extruded polypropylene coating.
- Curved/ bow bay window : Curved bay windows, often referred to as bow windows consist of multiple window sections, typically comprising four or five distinct panels.
- Custom bay post: Customised to the angle of the window join and allow shutters to follow the natural shape of the window in a seamless way so shutter panels smoothly transition across the window.
- Custom colour matching: Choose your own unique colour choice either from our custom colour library or by sending a paint swatch to the factory to be custom colour-matched with an electronic eye. Available with an additional surcharge.
- DIY Shutters: Our DIY service is a great option if you live outside London but want a high-quality product with helpful and knowledgeable advice about the shutters. You will be responsible for measuring and fitting your own shutters and we will guide you through the process.
- Double hung: Another word for tier on tier shutters.
- Finishes : There are up to 23 paint coats and 27 satin finishes for your shutters – depending on your material choice. There is also a custom colour option should you wish a specific colour to be matched.
- Frame: The frame is where the shutters attach to the windows or their surrounds. Various framing styles are used for shutters with the best option identified by our experts based on the window, where the shutters will fit to, and how they will operate.
- Full height with divider rail: A divider rail is a horizontal panel which strengthens the shutters and allows you to operate the slats in the top and bottom sections individually.
- Full height shutters without divider rail: full height shutters with continuous slats running up the whole panel, moving in unison.
- Full height with hidden break: Full height shutters with an invisible divider rail with all the benefits of having two sections of slats moving independently without any visible break.
- Hardwood: Hardwood shutters are made with solid wood panels and engineered wood frames.
- Hinge Pin: The shutter panels are attached to the framing by inserting a hinge pin between the frame and panel hinge parts.
- Hinges: Form the support of the shutter fixing to the frame. All of the hinges we use on our shutters are butt hinges. Whether panels are directly attached to the shutter framing or two panels are fixed to each other for bi-folding configurations, these high-quality hinges ensure that the expertly crafted shutter panels are securely hung. There are 11 standard hinges in our range which are included in the cost of the shutters. For those looking for an extra injection of luxury, we also offer two non-standard options of stainless steel and brushed nickel at an additional cost.
- Inside mount: Shutters are installed on the inside of the recess opening. This requires sufficient depth for slat clearance (the bigger the slat, the bigger the depth required) and clearance for handles must also be taken into account.
- Lead time: Lead time refers to how long it will take for your shutters to be installed from placing your order. The majority of this lead time comes from shipping time frames and import logistics so this lead time can be shortened by flying the shutters in at an additional cost if preferred.
- Light control: Slatted shutters open up a greater level of light control in a room as slats can be tilted to varying angles which effects the amount of light that shines through into the space. Where the most complete level of darkness is required our integrated honeycomb room darkening blind is a brilliant way to enhance the darkening effect of the shutters.
- Louvre: The small pieces of wood/ slats that sit in the shutter panel. Slats are operated by either pushing a single slat which is clipped into an internal cog mechanism or by using the tilt rod located on front the panel.
- Measure appointment : At a full measure survey, one of our expert surveyors will answer any questions you may have, discuss designs, bring samples of colours and materials, take exact measurements, and finalise costings with you.
- Motorised : Shutters/blinds installed with a motor, which is controllable with a remote.
- Offset tilt rod: Offset tilt rods are located on the front of slats on one side of the shutter panel. They are usually placed in alignment with whichever side the panel is hinged to.
- Outside mount : Shutters are fixed onto the wall outside of the recess opening.
- Panel: Shutter panels are hinged to the fixing frame and swing open like a door to expose the window or area behind.
- Pearlwood : Pearlwood is our lightest material manufactured from premium hardwoods which are intensively hand sanded and coated with fine layers of stain or paint for a brilliant lustrous finish. It is also a beautiful and stable timber. With a fast growth time, Pearlwood has a stunning finish when stained and is the perfect option for shaped shutters.
- Plantation Shutters: Plantation shutters are a type of interior window treatment consisting of adjustable slats or louvers mounted within a solid frame. They are typically hinged to a window frame and can be opened or closed to control the amount of light, ventilation, and privacy in a room.
- Rebate: A window rebate can also be known as a window jamb or window rabbet. It refers to the groove or recessed channel in the frame of a window. It is typically located on the inside edges of the window frame where the sash (movable part of the window) or the window casement (fixed part of the window) fits into the frame. The purpose of a window rebate is to provide a secure and snug fit for the window sash or casement.
- Recess: A window recess can also be known as a window alcove or window niche. It is a built-in architectural feature or space within a wall that is designed to accommodate a window. It is a sunken or set-back area in the wall surrounding a window opening.
- Replacement slat: To order replacement slats for any that have been damaged you can get in touch with our team who will be able to assist. Once you have identified the slat which needs replacing, our team refer back to your original order to confirm the panel location of the damaged slat and the exact set of shutters to ensure that the custom-made replacement is the perfect size. Replacement slats need to be linked to a previous order so that we can manufacture an exact match to the shutters in place. For this reason, we are only able to offer replacement slats for shutters that have been supplied by Plantation Shutters. We offer replacement slats on both a supply-only basis and to be fitted by our experts.
- Roller Blinds: Roller blinds are a type of window covering that consist of a single piece of fabric or material that is rolled up or down around a cylindrical tube or rod. The tube is typically mounted at the top of the window frame, and the fabric can be pulled down or rolled up using a cord, chain, or motorized mechanism.
- Roman blinds: A fabric blind that gathers into pleats when drawn up.
- Room darkening blinds : The blinds are housed snugly in recessed channels behind the shutters, so most of the external light bleed is eliminated. They have a lightweight, single honeycomb construction and have 5 colours to choose from.
- Double Hung Sash Window: The window can be operated from the top and the bottom. They have a great level of versatility as an opening can be created at the top space of the opening, at the bottom, or both.
- Single Hung Sash Window : A window with a lower sash that can be moved and an upper sash that is fixed in place. They are the most common type of window in London homes.
- Sliding Sash window : A Window that has two framed window sashes, one positioned in front of the other, which slide over each other. Sliding sash windows are considered to be one of the most basic window styles found in homes, and by extension are one of the most basic to add shutters to. The only limit to shutters being installed to sliding sash windows can be the depth of the sill. If only a small sill is in place, then they shutters may need to be face fixed to the area around the window to ensure the best possible look and functionality of the shutter.
- Sash Bay Window : Sash windows that are either directly attached to one another at the join or have a small wall break between each of the sections.
- Security shutters : Shutters crafted from powder coated architectural grade aluminium and boast patented locking systems.
- Shaker style : Unlike louvered shutters with adjustable slats, Shaker style shutters consist of solid panels that do not have movable louvers. Shaker style shutters are only available in our Pearlwood material due to its lightweight properties.
- Shaped shutters : All our shutters are made to measure so there is no need to worry if you have an oddly shaped, our experienced surveyors and fitters will be able to fit our shaped shutters to them. Whether it’s an arched or angled window or even a porthole, shutters can be the best way to bring out the best of tricky areas to dress.
- Silent tilt rod: A silent tilt rod, also known as a hidden or concealed tilt rod, is a type of window shutter that does not have a visible tilt rod. Instead, it uses a hidden mechanism to control the movement of the louvers, resulting in a minimalist and more streamlined appearance.
- Single-hung: A single-hung shutter is a type of window shutter design that features a single movable panel or section within a window frame.
- Slat: Slats, or louvres, are the small pieces of wood that sit in the shutter panel. Slats are operated by either pushing a single slat which is clipped into an internal cog mechanism or by using the tilt rod located on front the panel.
- Solid panels: Cover the entire window in one solid panel.
- Stain finish: A stain finish refers to a type of window shutter treatment that features a stained wood finish. There are up to 25 different stain finishes available depending on your material.
- Stile: The ‘stile’ of the shutter refers to the wood located either side of the slats in the panel. This wood is connected to top rails using mortise and tenon joinery for the strongest possible join and is one of the tell-tale signs of exceptionally strong shutter build quality. Stiles come in Plain or Beaded options.
- T post: T-posts are vertical or horizontal posts used to provide additional support and stability for plantation shutters, especially in cases where the shutters are installed on large windows. They are used to help distribute the weight of the shutter panels and ensure that they are securely attached to the window frame.
- Telescopic pole: For large or high up windows a telescopic pole can be used to control the slats. A telescopic pole has a simple sliding pole design that extends out with a small rubber hook on the end to gently open and close slat sections beyond reach and then reduces back to a broom handle size.
- Temporary blinds : Paper blinds which are stuck either directly onto the window or its surrounds and remain in place until ready to be removed when the permanent window dressing is ready.
- Tension Screw: A tension screw is a small screw that is found on the inner side of each of the shutter panels and controls the movement tension of the slats. If over time you notice that your slats have loosened, then a slight adjustment of your tension screw will do the trick.
- Tier on tier : Tier on Tier style shutters have sets of panels staked vertically on top of one another within a single frame so both panels can be controlled independently. One set of shutters, functions as two.
- Tilt rod : A tilt rod is a single rod, approximately 15mm wide, that is attached to panels to open, close, and tilt the slats in unison.
- Track: Track systems are generally used for large wide windows, where more than the recommended number of panels are required to cover the window. They are ideal for patio or French doors as they give good support to the panels, without the need for a bottom frame. There are two types of track systems available:
- Bi-fold – the multiple panels on the track can then be bi-folded back to either or both sides at a 90° angle to the track.
- Bi-pass – panels can be slid one behind another to either or both sides.
- Velux shutters: Plantation Shutters Ltd have an ideal solution for covering your Velux windows. Our shutters are fixed within the frames of the Velux, to allow the window to be opened and tilted as normal. As with all our shutters, the louvres can be moved up and down to allow as little or as much light in as you require, plus the panels themselves can also be opened. For Velux window shutters only our full-height style is available.
- Venetian blinds : Venetian blinds are a type of window covering or window treatment that consists of horizontal slats, often made of metal, wood, vinyl, or plastic, and are suspended from a headrail. The slats can be tilted using a wand or a cord to control the amount of light entering a room and can also be fully raised or lowered to provide privacy.
- Warranty: We offer a five year warranty – please see https://www.plantation-shutters.co.uk/warranty/
- Waterproof : Our waterproof shutters are manufactured from ABS and are the perfect solution to bathrooms, wet rooms or any other rooms that have condensation or humidity issues. Pairing this with their hard wearing nature, and finishes of stainless steel hinges, this material is also ideal for busy areas and commercial spaces.
- Window depth: Window depth is the distance or measurement from the outer face of the wall to the innermost point of the window opening.
- Without tilt rod: Also known as a silent tilt rod is a type of window shutter that does not have a visible tilt rod. Instead, it uses a hidden mechanism to control the movement of the louvers, resulting in a minimalist and more streamlined appearance.
