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. Your plantation shutters could develop small operational issues, but most of them can be fixed at home with ease. Here are some of the most common plantation shutter issues we hear about:

1. 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. Fortunately, this is easily fixed with a Phillip’s head screwdriver. You’ll find tension screws at each end of the louvers. Use the screwdriver to tighten each side and they’ll be able to work good as new.

2. 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. If your louvers are misaligned, you may find one of these plastic pins fallen nearby. If not, they’re fairly cheap to replace. These simply need to be slid back into place until the louver is secured.

3. 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. If the frame is broken, this is one of the more major plantation shutter issues and will probably require a full replacement, though it’s always a good idea to talk to the shutter manufacturer first so you can know your options. However, broken frames are typically caused by an unusual amount of pressure and are not as common.

Plantation shutters might not be maintenance free, but well-made plantation shutters manufactured with the right wood are sure to hold up better than any other window treatment. At Shenandoah Shutters, we manufacture all of our shutters at our workshop in Richmond, VA. We use durable woods like yellow poplar or custom woods such as mahogany, oak, or cherry. Contact us today to learn more about our plantation shutter options as well as how to care for those plantation shutters.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How to fix loose plantation shutters?

Locate the tension screws on the hinge side of each panel and tighten them clockwise using a Phillips head screwdriver. Go a quarter turn at a time and test the louvers as you go. If the screw spins without gripping, replace it with a slightly longer drywall screw so it bites into fresh wood.

• Why are my plantation shutters not closing properly?

Check each hinge along the frame and tighten any screws that have worked loose using a Phillips head screwdriver. If the panel still does not close flush, the hinge itself may need replacing. Contact your manufacturer before attempting anything further.

• What tools do I need to fix plantation shutter problems at home?

Just a Phillips head screwdriver for most repairs. Replacement plastic pins and drywall screws are worth keeping on hand too. All are available at any hardware store for a few dollars.

• Can I replace just one louver, or do I need a whole new panel?

In most cases a single louver can be swapped out on its own. Contact your original manufacturer with your shutter details and they can usually match it. A full panel replacement is only needed when the frame itself is damaged.