For day 8 of our shutter advent, we focus on a feature that is recognisably ‘shutter’. The tilt rod.
Shutters with a tilt rod will spring to mind when you picture classic examples of this wonderful window dressing. Contemporary shutter design preferences see less people opting for this slat operation method but the nostalgic souls that we are, we still remember the days that this shutter design detail came as a standard.
What is a 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. Until recent years, tilt rods were a standard feature of all shutters. In modern shutter design where innovations have allowed for intelligent manufacturing solutions, internal cog mechanisms give the option to completely remove the tilt rod from shutters and still be able to successfully manoeuvre tilt operation.
Tilt rod placement:
There are two possibilities for tilt rod locations in our shutter ranges; Centred or Offset.
Centred
A central tilt rod placement is the most recognisable in traditional shutter design and creates a great symmetry across panels. Central tilt rods are effective on any shutter, however, to achieve a modern finish, central tilt rods are often combined with mid-sized panels and café style shutters to avoid busier designs.
Offset
Offset tilt rods are located on the front of slats on one side of the shutter panel.
Offset tilt rods are usually placed in alignment with whichever side the panel is hinged to. For example, if a shutter has two panels, one hinged to the left of the frame and the other hinged to the right, the offset tilt rods will be placed on the same side of the corresponding panel.
FAQs
Do I have to have a tilt rod – what is the benefit of opting for one?
It is not a requirement to have a tilt rod as new manufacturing techniques allow for the rod to be removed and replaced with an internal cog mechanism. Removing the tilt rod comes at an additional cost because of the more complex design so the benefit of choosing a tilt rod is not just the design choice if you like the look of tilt rods, but it is also the cheaper option.
Can I remove the tilt rod later?
No, tilt rods cannot be removed once manufactured onto a shutter as panels will not have the complex mechanism within to allow continued slat control.
What is the best choice for a traditional style shutter?
Those looking to achieve a traditional look on their shutters are best to choose tilt rods for their panels as this is a classic option for shutter design.
If you are unsure whether tilt rods are best for your shutters, you can see some great examples of some of the wonderful choices our clients have chosen for their home in our Gallery. Alternatively, our team are always on hand to advise and discuss any shutter queries you may have on 020 8871 9222.