frequently asked questions
Q.
I am not sure what the name of the part is that I
need
A.
A
picture of a plantation shutter has been provided with all
the major parts named.
Q.
Do you need any special tools to do these repairs?
A.
No. Replacing broken louvers and tilt rods require tools that
are generally common to every household. They are: a measuring tape,
needle nose pliers, vise grips, and in some cases a pair of wire
snips or a utility knife.
Q.
Do I need to remove my shutters to
install my plantation shutter replacement parts?
A.
Installing a
replacement
tilt rod or
louver can generally be accomplished without having to remove
the panel from the window or frame.
Q.
How long does it take once
I place my order to receive my order?
A.
In most cases Martin
Shutters will fabricate your replacement
louver or
tilt rod the same day you place your order. We generally ship
the next business day. Depending on where you are located in the
United States, and the type of shipping service desired, may require
an additional 1-4 business days before you receive your plantation
shutter repair part.
Q.
How do I know if I need a 2.5", 3.5", or
4.5" louver.
A.
These are standard Plantation Shutter louver
sizes. Simply move your tilt rod to position the louvers in the full
open position. Take your measuring tape and measure the distance
from the front edge of the louver to the back edge of the louver.
Q.
Will the plantation shutter repair parts that I order look
different compared to the broken louvers or tilt rod I replace?
A.
No.
Q.
Are the installation instructions you mentioned that
are included with my louver or tilt rod order easy to read and
follow?
A.
Yes. Martin Shutters has taken special care to write
the instructions so the average person can understand and follow
them. The instructions also contain photos demonstrating each step,
further simplifying the procedure.
Q.
Do my plantation shutter
replacement parts arrive painted?
A.
Replacement
louvers and
tilt rods can be purchased either primed or with no coating
(natural wood). If you are planning on staining your replacement
part then you would want to select the natural wood. If you are
planning on painting your replacement part, you would want to select
primed. All replacement parts are fabricated utilizing Poplar.
Q.
What kind of paint should I use on my replacement parts?
A.
It
is recommended that you use a water based paint.
Q.
What is the
difference between a flat louver, elliptical louver, or tapered
louver?
A.
Adjust your tilt rod and position the louvers to the
full open position. Now move to the side of the panel and look at
the ends of your louvers. If the bottom and top of the louvers
appear to have a curve or (camber) to them, then they are elliptical
louvers. This camber often reminds some people of an airplane wing
or the shape of a lens.
Click here to see louver profiles.
Q.
Do you have any minimum
order requirements?
A.
No. Prices for replacement louvers and
tilt rods are priced each. Some of our
plantation
shutter specialty hardware are packaged by quantity.
Descriptions and quantities are listed next to the photo of each
item.
Q.
Is it necessary to hire a professional to install your
plantation shutter replacement louvers and tilt rods?
A.
No. The
easy to follow instructions that contain photos make this a
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) procedure.
Q.
My louvers will not stay in
the position that I leave them, they just flop around. What can I
do?
A.
This can be fixed by easily installing specially designed
tension washers. They place tension back into a panel that has
lost it and allow the louvers to easily glide within the panel and
stay where you leave them. No special tools are required.
Instructions are included in each order that are easy to read and
designed with the average homeowner in mind.
Q.
The louver repair
pins are longer than the hole in my stile. What should I do?
A.
Simply drill the hole deeper in the stile.
Q.
I am not sure how
long of a replacement staple I need. What length should I order?
A.
Staples can always be trimmed shorter. We recommend you order
the 5/8" staple. After inserting the staple into the staple holes on
your shutter, it will become apparent to you how much you will need
to trim you staple. Simply use a pair of wire snips to trim your
staple shorter.