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Plantation Shutters – The phrase “plantation shutters” at one time evoked images of palatial Southern homes with tall columns and long verandahs. Today, plantation shutters are a very popular window covering in all parts of the U.S. and now increasingly abroad. They are permanent and thus are considered part of the home, unlike draperies or blinds. They are the most enduring, functional and elegant interior window coverings available.

Traditional Style Shutters – Traditional style shutters roughly include shutters with louvers 1 7/8” wide and less. Generally NOT regarded as furniture-grade shutters.

Custom Built – Defined in the dictionary as: “Made-to-order. Dealing in made-to-order goods.” It is a fundamental standard that Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters only be custom built to fit each opening. Conventions of window and door manufacturers, sizes of windows, and installations are so varied that custom built shutters are the only logical solution to providing our customers with window and door coverings with the “fit and finish” of furniture. Sierra Shutters & Sun Control are custom shutter specialists. See “Standard Sizes” .

Standard Sizes – Standard sizes shutters are available in most warehouse lumber yards and from many window treatment companies and distributors. Sierra Shutters & Sun Control does not promote or sell shutters in standard sizes. There is never a need to cut down Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters or add filler pieces to fit an opening. It takes a little longer to produce custom-built shutters, yes, but would someone cut down a walnut roll-top desk to fit in a corner of a room? Or would anyone cut a cherry table, an heirloom passed down from grandmother, to fit the dining area? One-size-fits-all works with ball caps – not furniture-grade shutters. See “Custom Built”

Tolerance – Defined in the dictionary as: “The permissible error in size, etc. of a machine part or manufactured article.” With Sierra Shutters & Sun Control it applies to the close tolerances of the machines that cut, shape, sand, and assemble the shutters. This close attention to detail is necessary in order for moving parts to operate smoothly and give the finished product a look and feel of quality furniture. A practical example of close tolerances for Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters is to minimize light infiltration at the louver-stile junction.

Finish – Defined in the dictionary as: “to put the final touches to; a manner or style of finishing; the material used for a decorative surface; perfected.” Sierra Shutters & Sun Control feels this is the final and lasting touch which determines the quality of fine wood products. The difference in finish can be a piece placed in a conspicuous area of the home to make a statement of quality that endures for generations, or one used in a utilitarian way where degree of use is not a concern. Sierra Shutters & Sun Control are definitely functional, but they speak a language of quality rarely heard in circles other than in fine furniture.

TYPES of WOOD

Hardwoods – Defined in the dictionary as: “any close grained wood from deciduous trees e.g. oak, beech, ash, and from some tropical trees, e.g. mahogany.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture General Technical Report on Softwoods (FPL-GTR-102, pg 148), the term “Hardwood” has “no reference to the actual hardness of the wood.” In other words, deciduous trees also produce soft woods such as cottonwood, basswood, and poplar. Referring to materials as true hardwoods is based on their higher density, but also on a well established opinion of them among furniture makers as being materials used for long lasting beautiful furniture – even as heirlooms. Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters are made from poplar, and other furniture-grade materials. There is no question as to whether Sierra Shutters & Sun Control uses true hardwoods. True hardwoods offer strength, durability, stability, and beauty to furniture – and to Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters.

Softwoods – Defined in the dictionary as: “any soft, light-textured wood, especially the wood of coniferous trees [evergreens such as pine, fir, hemlock, cedar, and spruce].” (Compare “Hardwoods” in this glossary.) Softwoods are even at times used in interior shutters when requested such as knotty pine for a particular décor, e.g. in a cabin. Sierra Shutters & Sun Control never passes softwoods (coniferous or deciduous) off as “best” materials for Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters.

Deciduous Trees – Defined in the dictionary as: “Falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle.” Often contrasted with Evergreen (coniferous) trees. - See hardwoods.

Coniferous Trees – Trees which bear cones and evergreen needle-like or scale-like leaves. Conifers are of major importance as the source of softwood, and also supply resins and turpentine. See softwoods.

METHODS of CONSTRUCTION Louver (blade or slat) – Defined in the dictionary as: “Slanted fixed or movable fins to allow flow of air but to exclude rain or sun or to provide privacy; a finned or vaned device for controlling a flow of air or the radiation of light; a fin or shutter of a louver.” For interior plantation shutters, movable louvers allow what approaches 100% adjustment of light into a room during the day or provide privacy at night. Fixed louvers offer a distinguished touch for room dividers, closets, dressing rooms, café doors, etc. Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters have 1/2” thick elliptical louvers with widths of 1 3/4", 2 1/2", 3 1/2", 4 1/2 and 5 1/2". Stile – the verticle frame member of a shutter panel.   Rail – The horizontal frame member of a shutter panel. With Sierra Shutters & Sun Control, its height varies according to the height of the shutter panel for a balance of strength and aesthetics. All panels have top and bottom rails. Occassionally, a middle rail or divider rail will be specified for certain applications and is always recommended on panels over a certain height.       Astragal– A narrow piece of beaded molding that provides privacy, yet still minimizes light entering through the shutter.

Tilt rod – Connects the louvers to operate together. Sierra Shutters & Sun Control also builds radiused (sunburst) panels with “hidden” control rods that move all the louvers when one louver is moved. 3" Non-mortise hinge – A hinge that is attached to our panels that does not require to be routed into the shutter, keeping the integrity of the panel.

Tension screws – Used in Sierra Shutters & Sun Control shutters along with bushings to allow adjustable tilt-rod resistance (includes a brass washer that helps to maintain tension during variations in temperature). Mortise & Tenon (tongue & groove) – A rectangular cavity (mortise) and a projection (tenon) that join together for a more secure joint.

Bullet catches - used to secure shutters into frames (no unsightly magnets)

Hinges - 3" heavy duty brass hinges

Quarterburst/Sunburst– Defined in the dictionary as: “A design in the form of rays diverging from a central point.” When applied to plantation shutters from Sierra Shutters & Sun Control, it means precise beauty that only comes from craftsmanship. Quarterburst or Sunburst panels built by Sierra Shutters & Sun Control are available with hidden circular control-rods that allow movement of all louvers at once for a uniform look – no painstaking adjusting of individual blades is necessary.