Shutters of wood are relatively fragile due to the way they are made. Houseguests, party guests, or kids rough housing can bump into the panels and cause damage. The tilt rod connections to the louvers can also have problems because of incorrect usage. Always adjust the louvers by handling the tilt-rod itself, do not move the louvers directly. Always keep the tilt rod perpendicular to the louvers, don't twist the rod or attempt to adjust the louvers when the rod is at an angle.

While the homeowner can make some repairs with our guidance, which is free, in most cases the most practical option is for the homeowner to remove the damaged panels and to bring them to our shop for repair usually within 2 weeks. Arrangements can be made for us to do the repairs on-site. We charge for actual time used including travel to and from the job.

Tilt Rod Connections

Staple to Staple: The older/cheaper version is a staple in to the louver that hooks through a staple in the back of the tilt rod. This is a repair that the homeowners can do themselves. We can provide 5/8" standard air driven staples and show them how to cut to about ½" with a chisel tip and install with needle-nose pliers and glue.

Staple to Question-Mark Strips: The next step up involves the tilt rod having a continuous metal strip but which has question-mark shaped hooks that bend around the louver’s staple. They can be re-bent carefully by the homeowner using needle-nose pliers. If they are broken off, we can fashion an alternative by fitting a staple into the tilt rod. They usually work 96% as well but may impact how fully the louvers close.

Staple to Woven Strips: The next option involves a tilt rod with a continuous metal strip that weaves in and out of the louver staples and which fits into a slot in the back of the tilt rod by force fitting. The metal can be secured in the slot with glue.

Whenever possible the tilt rod should not be replaced. The paint matching is the biggest issue. Other issues are the size and shape of available replacement tilt rods.

Louver Tip Connections

Nylon Tips: The older/cheaper version has a nylon fixture that goes into a hole in the end of the louver and a bigger round tenon into the side of the shutter panel frame. This approach can lead to the louver blade fracturing away. If the chip exists it can be re-glued into place. We have replacement nylon pieces if needed.

Wood Tenons: The better versions have wood from the louver that extends out the ends as a real tenon and which fits into the side of the shutter panel frame. Due to their small size it is common for the louver blade end tip to fracture off, usually relatively cleanly. We can repair/replace by drilling through from the outside of the louver panel frame and installing a special small headed screw that will go into the end of the louver blade itself.

Whenever possible the wood’s finish on the louver blade should be maintained without filler or sanding due to the difficulties of matching colors after whatever aging has occurred.