So a recap on how to repair broken plantation shutters:
- Order these spring-loaded plantation shutter pins
- Pop them into the shutter frame
- Drill bigger holes into slat if necessary
- Put one side of the slat into a pin
- Flatten out the other pin using a knife or card
- Slide the slat down into place
Full Answer
How to take care of your plantation shutters?
How Can You Take Care Of Your Plantations Shutters?
- Avoid using a lot of water or harsh cleaning products on wood plantation shutters.
- Clean wood plantation shutters with a dusting cloth, damp towel, and vacuum. ...
- Dust or vacuum plantation shutters made of synthetic materials before wiping them down with a cloth and a cleaning product. ...
How to tighten loose plantation shutters?
How do you adjust shutters?
- Find the Tension Adjust Mechanism. You can adjust the shutter tension in plantation shutters with either screws located on several of the louvers, or by small nylon ...
- Adjust the Tension Screws a Pair at a Time.
- Adjust the Tension Pins.
- Check the Staples in the Tilt Rod.
How to clean interior plantation shutters?
Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Removing Dirt and Grime
- Fill a bowl with white vinegar. White vinegar can be used to wipe any stains off of plantation shutters.
- Wet a sock or cotton glove. For easiest cleaning, you will wipe down your shutters with a sock or cotton gloves.
- Wipe down the shutters. Place your sock or glove over your hand. ...
- Keep wiping until your socks or gloves run clean. ...
How to fix broken plantation shutters?
Broken Frames or Louvers. A small break in the louvers may be able to be fixed with wood glue, though it will never look quite “good as new.”. A more extensive break to the louvers will likely require a replacement louver. You can contact your plantation shutter manufacturer and ask them to come out to do the job.
How do you repair wooden shutters?
2:196:00Repairing A Wood Shutter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we had to expose them and they had wood plugs protecting. And hiding the screws in order to getMoreAnd we had to expose them and they had wood plugs protecting. And hiding the screws in order to get the wood plug out and expose the screw. I took a 3/16 drill bit and drilled out the plug.
How do you fix a broken plantation shutter?
3:568:06How to Fix Plantation Shutters - missing staples and broken magnet ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou run it through the metal. Staple that's already existing in the slat. And then you go ahead andMoreYou run it through the metal. Staple that's already existing in the slat. And then you go ahead and get your super glue apply a little bit and then start to force the staple back into its holes.
How do you fix a broken wooden shutter slat?
0:281:45How to replace a slat in your push rod shutters - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a pair of small pliers snip the staple on the slat ease the slat from the push rod. Next takeMoreUsing a pair of small pliers snip the staple on the slat ease the slat from the push rod. Next take a wallpaper scraper and gently tap between the slat and solid upright section of the shutter panel.
Can shutter be fixed?
You can get plantation shutters repaired, be that on your own or through a professional repairperson. Minor problems such as loose screws or worn-down pieces are small enough projects to do in an afternoon, but for more severe damages, it's better to let a professional assess the shutters.
How do you remove a plantation shutter frame?
Using a screwdriver, remove screws attaching the plantation shutters to the hanging strips. Remove each shutter in one piece from the hanging strips. Some shutters may be attached to hinges by a hinge pin. If your plantation shutters do, remove the hinge pin to release the shutter from the hanging strips.
How do you adjust slats on plantation shutters?
0:001:00Wood Shutter Louver Tension Adjustment - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext hold the louver with one hand and insert a Phillips head screwdriver into the access hole whileMoreNext hold the louver with one hand and insert a Phillips head screwdriver into the access hole while holding the louver turned the tension screw a quarter of a turn no more than that to begin with.
How do you fix plantation shutters that won't stay closed?
0:000:42Ask the Pros: Help! My Shutters Won't Stay Open - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn on this side and then the other folded back and get at that tighten things up put yourself inMoreTurn on this side and then the other folded back and get at that tighten things up put yourself in position you'll be good to go in no time.
How much does it cost to get a shutter replaced?
Exterior Home Shutters A single pair costs, on average, between $25 and $1,200, depending on the materials. Installation typically requires two hours of labor, at an average charge between $65 and $100 per hour, for a total cost between $155 and $1,400. By material, a pair of shutters will cost: Vinyl: $25–$450.
How do you restore old shutters?
Whoever does the work will need to remove the shutters, take off the hardware, strip the old finish, then sand the wood, stain it and coat it with a clear finish — ideally two coats. The final step is putting it all back together and making sure the parts fit as well as they do now.
How do you fix house shutters?
1:287:13How to Replace Vinyl Shutters - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou would drill a quarter inch hole and then you'd use those spikes to kind of do a little bit of aMoreYou would drill a quarter inch hole and then you'd use those spikes to kind of do a little bit of a friction fit.
How do you fix vinyl shutters?
4:317:04How to Repair Vinyl Shutters Anchors on Homes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipExperience. I will cut some of this. Off if i try to put this whole thing in what's going to happenMoreExperience. I will cut some of this. Off if i try to put this whole thing in what's going to happen is it's going to go in and it's probably gonna leave about that much sticking out of the shutter.
How do you fix plantation shutters that won't stay closed?
0:000:42Ask the Pros: Help! My Shutters Won't Stay Open - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn on this side and then the other folded back and get at that tighten things up put yourself inMoreTurn on this side and then the other folded back and get at that tighten things up put yourself in position you'll be good to go in no time.
How do you fix manual roller shutters?
A solution to this issue is to spray the components of your roller shutter with a lubricant, such as WD-40. The WD-40 will loosen up the mechanisms, allowing them to move smoothly. Open up the box at the top of your slats and you should be able to investigate further.
How do you fix tilt rods on plantation shutters?
4:155:55How to Repair a Tilt Connector - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipActually put the tilt connector into the slack. And you wiggle it. Around. Until it goes in and thenMoreActually put the tilt connector into the slack. And you wiggle it. Around. Until it goes in and then. You just repeat.
3 Common Plantation Shutter Issues and How To Fix Them
Plantation shutters are simply the best window treatment option you can find in today’s market. They’re beautiful, durable, made from natural materials, and relatively low maintenance. However, that doesn’t mean that time or the environment around your shutters won’t wear down on those shutters.
Loose Louvers
The slats of your plantation shutters are called louvers. Ideally, they can be adjusted by your tilt wand to let in as much or as little light as you’d like. However, louvers can become loose with frequent use, as can anything else. When this happens, they can slide back down even when they’re lifted.
Crooked Louvers
Another issue is that your louvers can become crooked or misaligned. This can happen especially if you have pets or children who tend to be precocious. Most plantation shutters have small plastic pins that hold the slats in place with the tilt wand so as to keep from falling out of alignment.
Broken Frames or Louvers
A small break in the louvers may be able to be fixed with wood glue, though it will never look quite “good as new.” A more extensive break to the louvers will likely require a replacement louver. You can contact your plantation shutter manufacturer and ask them to come out to do the job.
Why did CiCi hang out at the front window?
Before the shutters were up, we noticed that CiCi had been hanging out at the front window so that she could watch for our return. After the shutters went up, she didn’t take kindly to the fact that we had covered her window to the world, so she proceeded to knock out four of the slats at the bottom.
What was the first project we did in our new house?
If you remember, the first project we did in our new house was to install plantation shutters in our front living room.
Can you replace plantation shutters?
Plantation shutters are pretty expensive, so you want to repair them and not replace them. Here is how to fix broken shutters!
How much does it cost to fix plantation shutters?
According to Home Advisor, the average cost for plantation shutter repair is between $123 to $346. The national average is $233.00.
How Do Plantation Shutters Break?
Each shutter panel has a top rail, louvers or slats, a tilt rod, a midrail, the hinge mortise on the side, tension screws beneath that, stiles on either side, and a bottom rail. This is all attached to a frame or hang strip.
What is the simplest shutter to repair?
Plastic, metal, and vinyl plantation shutters are generally the simplest to repair. That said, sometimes they’re costlier than wood shutters, although that will depend on the type of wood used to manufacture your shutters.
How to keep louvers from getting loose?
To prevent your louvers from getting loose and floppy, take a look at the tension screws every couple of months. If they seem loose, tighten them back up before they become problematic. Don’t keep tightening the screws if they’re already pretty tight, as that’s a good way to strip them. Then the screws are useless.
What to do if louvers won't stay open?
If the louvers won’t stay open, you can often fix that yourself. You can even take care of replacing the magnet or its plastic casing if you’re feeling particularly handy. Louver pin work should be handled by professionals though, especially if your pins are gone.
What is the magnet on shutters?
Each shutter frame has an internal magnet designed to hold the shutters together when you close them. These magnets are set in a box, made of plastic that safeguards them. However, the plastic can wear down with enough UV exposure, although this shouldn’t happen for a few years.
What happens if my pet gets too close to my plantation shutters?
If your pet gets too close to your plantation shutters, they could break the louvers, as could curious young children . In most cases, if the damage is extensive, the louver has to be replaced entirely rather than be repaired.
How to staple a shutter panel?
Open the shutter panel to gain access to back side. Rotate louver so staple holes in louver are facing away from tilt rod. Using your needle nose pliers, grasp the staple at the crown. Place a small drop of superglue (GEL) on both end of the staple. Push staple into the two holes in the louver.
What to do if staple holes are missing?
A common problems is missing staple connectors. Inspect the are around the staple holes for any damage. Damaged louvers should be replaced by ordering a louver replacement kit.
How to keep louvers open?
To keep this from happening, manufacturers employ various methods of tensioning louvers when they are manufactured. If your louvers will not stay open, first check for the presence of tension screws. If your panel contains tension screws, you will find them recessed on the outside of each stile. By turning these screws clockwise, you pull the louver (s) closer to the stile. This will causes friction between the louver (s) and stile, and keeps the louvers where you want them.
How to replace staples on a panel?
Using your needle nose pliers, grasp the replacement staple at its crown. Using your other hand, hold the tilt rod in position to receive the staple. Enter the panel from behind with your needle nose pliers containing the replacement staple.
How to attach a staple to a tilt rod?
To attach a louver to the tilt rod, position the tilt rod so all louvers are tilted up or down approximately 45 degrees. Using your needle nose pliers, grasp the replacement staple at its crown.
How to move a tilt rod?
If your tilt rod contains staples, then move your tilt rod and position your louvers in the full open position. Position the louver that is missing its staple so that the staple holes in the leading edge of the louver face the tilt rod. With the louvers in the full open position, gently roll the tilt rod to the right, then to the left.
What to do if tilt rod is damaged?
If the damaged tilt rod contains staples, snip the tilt rod staples and remove the damaged tilt rod.
What are plantation shutters?
Plantation shutters have been a popular window treatment for many years. They offer lots of great benefits like sun control and extra insulation, which really comes in handy when the weather turns super cold like it has been lately.
Why are wood shutters better than vinyl shutters?
I’m a big fan of wood shutters because they are usually lighter weight than vinyl or made-made products, which means less problems with panels sagging, especially in larger windows. Another big advantage wood shutters have over vinyl/plastic shutters is that normally man-made panels do not have a way to adjust or tighten the louvers ...
Where are the screws on bifold shutters?
If you have a window in your home with bi-fold plantation shutter panels, the screws are normally located in between the shutter panels. Another window where I normally run into a loose louver or two during the winter is here in my breakfast room. (see arrows below pointing to loose louvers) During the winter months when it’s cold out and the leaves are off the trees, I open and close the louvers in here almost daily, so one or two will tend to loosen up when it’s super cold out.
Do louvers loosen up over time?
It’s pretty inevitable that louvers will eventually start to loosen up over time due to everyday use. There are a few shutters out there that have springs built into the panels. I’ve always shied away from those because if the spring goes bad, there’s usually nothing you can do but replace the whole panel.
How to clean a shutter?
Dust off loose dirt with a soft brush. Gently wash the shutter with a rag and soapy water; if it’s excessively dirty, use trisodium phosphate (TSP) diluted with water per instructions. Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eyewear when using TSP. Rinse cleaned shutters with a hose. Let dry completely.
Why do exterior shutters peel?
Whether functional or merely decorative, exterior shutters may suffer from peeling paint, joint problems, and decay because they are exposed to the elements. Movable parts such as louvers may break. Do inspect exterior shutters every year and address problems before they progress to the point where the shutters need to be replaced.
How to secure a slat on a frame?
Tilt the end with the stationary pin into the open slot on the frame. The pin will insert into the slot. Then press the spring-loaded pin down with your finger so that the slat can slide along frame and into the slot. The spring will release into the opening on the slat, securing it.
How to cut a pin out of a slat?
With a utility knife, cut the old pin by sliding the knife between the slat and the frame. Pry out the remains of the pins from the slat and the frame. Tap the stationary pin into one end of the slat. Insert the spring-loaded pin into the stile (not the louver) on the other side.
Why do shutters need to be repaired?
The most common issue you may face would be slats needing repair due to damage caused by physical impact to the shutters.
What happens if a slat pin is broken?
Slats will have pins on each side that connect them to the stiles (the solid vertical rails on the edge of each shutter panel). If a pin becomes dislodged or broken, you will simply remove the broken pin and replace it with a spring-loaded slat pin. If the pins on both sides are broken or dislodged, we will send you one stationary pin ...
Can you be on your own when it comes to shutter repairs?
With our helpful videos on our website, YouTube and Instagram, plus the help of our knowledgeable shutter experts, you are never on your own when it comes to shutter repairs or maintenance!
Can slats be remade?
For irreparable damage, individual slats can be remade and replaced following the steps from our quick maintenance video. The steps are essentially the same as for a dislodged slat.
