Custom Made vs.
Customized Shutters
Many companies claim to
sell "custom" shutters. However, they may
actually be selling "customized" interior
shutters. Customized interior shutters
start as pre-built individual stock size shutter panels
which are then cut down and hinged together to
achieve a specific unit size. The practice
generally results in shutters that are a poor
fit for the windows in your house. In addition,
the shutters are not proportional to the window
size and depending on how much of the shutter
was trimmed, the integrity of the panels may
have been compromised. A popular installation
technique used by companies that customized
shutter units is to mount the shutters to the
inside of the window opening using a hang strip
on either side. This allows the installer to use
 stock
size shutter panels and adjust the size of the
hang strip so the width of the shutter unit
"fits" the window opening. The hang strips are
unnecessary in a properly made shutter unit and
only take away from the available louver
area.
Synthetic shutters
typically use pre-made stiles, rails, and
louvers, then cut them them to size to allow for
quick production. This also results in an
improper fit and components that are not in
proportion to the window.
Custom Interior Shutter Units
Other companies sell "custom
made" shutters.
These are shutters that are specifically made
from the start for each individual window
opening. Park Avenue
Drapery Corp.
is a great example of a company that sells
premium quality window shutters made to the 1/16
inch for each window opening. All windows are
unique and there are no standard size windows,
so don't assume that all windows are the same.
Custom made shutters are fabricated so all
stiles and rails can be uniform throughout the
house or office (keeping in mind that rail sizes
are adjusted depending on the height of the
window opening and the louver spacing.)
When purchasing shutters
make sure that you do NOT
choose a company that sells "customized"
shutters.
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