Shutters R Us

Technical » FAQs

Q. What size Shutter blades are available?

We have 3 blade designs in wood & also 5 designs in Aluminium and the Classic 90 is available in Polywood for you to select from. To view our complete list take a look at Products.

Q. I have a narrow window casement there's not much room for an inside mount?

This is a common problem and we have a few solutions including choosing an appropriate blade profile size, or setting the shutter back a little to get that clearance (we use a build out frame to do this, or sometimes there is only a small obstruction such as window hardware which we can navigate around sometimes. It’s a good idea to take a digital photo or do a sketch with dimensions and send it t o our technicians to comment on. Check out the window clearance table.

Q. What finishes do you do?

We have a standard range of colours, Satin White, Anotec Off White and Matt Natural Anodized. We keep it simple but there are endless colour choices in Powder coated Aluminium (see Powder coat chart) . We prefer not to paint the Western Red Cedar as it is truly the most beautiful timber and does not deserve to painted over. Technically the wood will not breathe which means that as the ambient moisture increases or decreases there is no flexibility provided and over time the paint will deteriorate. If you want painted shutters then choose high integrity Aluminium or Polywood.

Q. Can we specify a two-tone colour shutter?

Yes you can, The most popular of this featured design is using Natural Oiled Cedar blades inset into a Natural Matt Anodized frame.

Q. Do you supply door hardware, door locks & hinges (mortised or non-mortised)?

Yes we do you can take a look at our total range of extra hardware and accessories and components in our hardware and components section.

Q. Are your shutters lockable?

Yes our shutters are lockable. That is the frame can be locked at the top, bottom or as a traditional deadlock. Most of our lock hardware is designed for use in the Aluminium range as that is the strongest construction when mindful of the security requirements.

Q. What is your lead-time?

We ship Australia wide 5 days a week and produce Shutters and Screens and Balustrades in a growing number of manufacturing outlets. Ship time for supply only is approximately 3 weeks and Supply Only is from 3 to 6 weeks in normal time of the year. Once your order is accepted you can track your order through the manufacture process. Custom shapes and Commercial orders take a little longer depending on the sizing and configuration, we will quote you. See our custom enquiry form.

Q. What are your terms of payment?

Our terms are simple also. Generally they are 10% wit order and 80% on advice of manufacture complete and the balance 10% on completion of the installation. You will need to check with the store nearest to you at time of order for their individual policy. There are a number of convenient ways to pay so that your order is processed immediately and efficiently. See terms of payment or how to order.

Q. Do you pack and ship your products?

All goods are packed for top load shipping in cardboard export packs. Export shipping includes crating and handling charge.

Q. I checked out your standard sizes and my opening is just slightly too wide according to your span panel width table, what should I do?

You will need to divide the opening into 2 panels or you may use an Architrave or build out frame that reduced the opening, (like a frame within a frame) you could order a side mounting strip or a reveal add-on. See moldings.

Q. Can I fit insect screens onto my shutters?

Yes you can ask your screen manufacturer(we don’t do them) to produce fly screens for your shutters that are made with a boxed out frame to miss the blade projection or you can look into the rollaway screens that are popular these days.

Q. How could I estimate a sq ft (sq metre) price for my shutter budget?

You can go online to the Quick Quote page and put in your opening sizes to calculate a very close estimate including all of you hardware needs. We will formalize the accurate quote when you are close to ordering your shutters. (see example of our very comprehensive quote document)

Q. I want the top of my shutter blades to operate independently of the lower part for privacy reasons.Is this possible?

Yes it is, with our designs the shutter is made of groups of blades determined by your requirements, this is ideal for privacy and ventilation settings.

Q. Are your wood shutters treated for termites?

We do not need to add extra treatment because western red cedar is naturally resistant to termite infestation that is one of Western Red Cedar’s natural qualities. In fact the saw dust from the millers is perfect as natural topping mulch in gardens for that very reason.

Q. Are the cedar shutters fire resistant?

No cedar is flammable just like most timbers but we can offer a dressing to make the wood flammability retardant "faint". This flame retardant is used in hospitals and commercial applications. We would recommend you consider Aluminium with fire retardant operating mechanisms.

Q. Can I paint my own shutters?

Yes you can but we offer no warranty if it isn't part of our standard range.

Q. Do you make your shutters in any other timber other then western red cedar?

No not right now, but if the order was substantial we would consider it.

Q. I want my shutters to be hinged and be able to open right back against the wall 180°. Is this possible?

We have broad hinges which allow for that installation condition. You may be restricted by the skirting board or large profile architrave so it will need a little investigating.

Q. I was unable to figure out the panel size to order for a window measuring 1606mm wide by 1875mm high. I prefer an outside mount because I don’t have blade clearance.

You can refer to our how to measure section to get details on how to get the panel sizes. Be sure to check on the maximum allowed panel size for the blade type and material choice.

Q. How do I determine if I should mount my shutters inside the opening or outside the opening.

It's a matter of personal choice as well as practicality. If you have a decorative trim (Architrave) surrounding your opening you may not want to hide it, on the other hand you may have no clearance in your window case (reveal). See how to measure section and shutter clearance table.

Q. Can I put more then 2 panels in my opening?

Yes you can add a vertical member (mullion) to create 2 or more openings (maybe to line up with the frame work of your existing windows, or you may choose top and bottom fixed pivot hinges which obviate the need for posts and mullions, or you may choose to install sliding or bi-fold panels which may not need a mullion.

Q. If I want to choose a 2 track sliding system and I don’t have enough fixing or clearance at the top what can I do?

In most cases we suggest using an angle support pelmet. That is to cantilever the track out from the wall giving the required clearance.

Q. What type of payment do you accept?

We accept Master Card, Amex, Visa, Cashiers Check (Bank Cheque) Bank Draft, Direct Deposit and C.O.D.

Q. What are hanging strips and compensating moulds?

These and other profiles are used mostly in existing installation where in the window or door may be out of square, slightly larger than the panel to be installed, or where a panel requires mounting to either the reveal (inside mount) or to the wall or Architrave as a (face mount) and a profile such as an 'Z' mould is used to achieve a professional fit. Our custom designed Architrave has a classical look and suits many homes. These profiles cope with out of square openings very well. The colour-matched molding integrates with the installation nicely.

Q. How many sliding tracks can I have in an opening?

Your choice – one track restricts the panels to slide the entire distance of the opening. Two tracks allows panels to stack and is subject to number of panels to one each track. If you choose 4 tracks then 4 panels for example can all stack behind each other. Refer to sliding panel configuration.

Q. I see the bottom track is 25mm high, can I get a low profile bottom track?

Yes the default is 25mm double bubble track as it is a substantial system and well suited to external use to counter for Wind Uplift. For internal use on a flat hard surface we can use the low profile bubble. It should not be used on a carpet surface as it would be unstable on top of the pile.

Q. What size shutter blade looks best for me?

It is a personal choice but a general rule of thumb is a large blade for a large opening and a narrow blade for smaller openings. Also check on the clearances.

Q. What is air infiltration?

Air infiltration refers to the movement of air at a different temperature through the different interfacing surfaces of in this case a Plantation Shutter. Our shutters are designed for absolute minimum air infiltration when in the locked closed position due to the precise clearances and overlap contour. But remember these blades are elliptical and therefore the opposing shape does not allow a perfect seal.

Q. What is a "rough opening"?

The rough opening is the opening in the wall into which the Shutter will fit. Normally, the rough opening will be (12mm) larger than the frame of the window and furthermore, the Shutter panel will be sized in both width and height. If you want to get an online quote just use a rough opening size to do your budgets.

Q. What does the term "failed" mean and how can you tell when a window has "failed"?

A window has failed if there's moisture in between the panes of glass of laminated glass or mould has formed at the junction of the glass and the sill. There is a likelihood of the sill being rotted away whilst the paintwork underneath is still in tact.

Q. What Shutter material do you recommend for our external window treatment?

Shutter material choices vary by personal choice as well as durability and structural criteria and fit for purpose use.

Building code requirements may also have an influence over these choices.

Some differences to consider:

- Aluminium conducts temperature whereas Timber is a natural insulator.

- Aluminium is more durable and better suited to external, security minded areas, high maintenance or adverse weather affected areas.

- Timber is durable as well, hardwood is more durable than softwoods for the types of chosen woods used in windows and shutters. Cedar is a very soft wood and is prone to accidental knocks and dents very easily.

- Timber is a natural product and nothing can emulate the softness and character of natural wood products.

- Polywood is a PVC based material, our Polycore system has an Aluminium core through each profile. It is very strong, does not warp and has a UV rated satin paint finish resembling our wood and Aluminium profiles. We can combine the mediums to suit the design need.

Q. What are U/R values and how they relate to Shutters insulation capabilities?

One way that insulation is created is with dead-air space.

Our panels are precision built so that they restrict the chance of draft between junctions or laps of blades. A properly constructed and installed shutter provides more insulation than a single paned glass. Other factors contribute to the insulation qualities of a shutter, such as gaskets, material type etc.

The U/R value tells how the product insulates. It is a formula derived from the efficiency of the product, and that formula takes into account many of the factors aforementioned.

A good "R" measurement is a high one, while a good "U" measurement is low.

Homeowners are more interested in the R-value, while builders are interested in the U value.

Q. What is low E?

Low-E, or low emissivity refers to the properties of a shutter panel's capability to reflect certain length waves. A shutter with a good low E lowers your energy bill because in the summer it reflects sunlight and in the winter it absorbs it to help in heating your home. Western Red Cedar is a very efficient Low-E medium. Hollow core Aluminium is also efficient as it integrates captured air lock space within the two enveloping skins of the shutter blade.