How to Install Hunter Douglas Satinwood Plantation Shutters from Blinds.com

The following online instructions are for the installation of Hunter Douglas Satinwood fauxwood interior window shutters.

Much less expensive than wood shutters, certainly more durable, and just as attractive, Hunter Douglas Satinwood shutters add class to your home or business.

Plus, they're very simple to install. Many even come pre-assembled. Larger shutters are unassembled to prevent damage during shipping.

Topics Shown Below:

• Tools You’ll Need
• Shutter Components
• Frame and Shutter Assembly
• Inside Mount Installation - Z-Frame
• Outside Mount Installation - Square Frame
• Cleaning Instructions

Tools You’ll Need to Install Fauxwood Plantation Shutters:

Shutter Components

Plantation shutters are generally comprised of a shutter panel attached (hinged) to a frame. The panel itself consists of louvers, which rotate open and closed; stiles running vertically on the sides; and rails running horizontally on the top and bottom. Panels over 60" require one divider rail, which adds strength and support to your shutter panels, and allows you to open the top louvers while keeping the bottom ones closed (See Illustration A).

Illustration A

Frame and Shutter Assembly

Most shutters arrive pre-assembled. Larger shutters may be shipped disassembled to prevent them from damage during shipping. Using the supplied corner keys and screws, reassembly of the frame is quick and easy:

1. Position the four frame pieces face up according to how they are marked on the back.
2. Fasten the corners together using the supplied L-shaped inserts (see below).
3. After all four corners are connected, turn the frame over and repeat the procedure on the backside.
4. Attach any T-posts to the frame through the predrilled holes in the T-post into the predrilled holes in the frame.
5. Complete the reassembly process by attaching the shutter panels to the frame. Panel locations are marked on each shutter, and all hinge holes are predrilled. For Inside Mount Z-Frame T-Posts, one screw is placed in a pre-drilled hole from the top of the Z-Frame and one is placed through a pre-drilled hole on the bottom of the Z-Frame.

Illustration B

Inside Mount Shutter Installation - Z-Frame Mount

The Z-Frame is used for Inside Mounts. It is the best choice for all Inside Mount installations, provided that your window has at least 1 1/2" clearance (See Illustrations C).

Illustration C

The Z-Frame is installed within the window opening, AND extends by 1 1/8" onto the face of your sheetrock/molding (See Illustration D). A screw port allows the mounting of the screws, which is then covered by a filler strip. The face of the frame will cover most inconsistencies or light gaps due to out-of-square windows. The Z-Frame will hide up to 3/4" of deviation per side.

Illustration D

A sill Z-Frame is included if your window has a protruding sill. The sill Z-Frame is designed with a portion of the decorative face removed, so that the frame rests flush on top of the sill (See Illustration C).

Installation Instructions for Z Frame:

If the shutter was shipped disassembled, refer to Frame and Shutter Assembly above.

Once assembled, follow these steps:

1. With the shutter panels open, center the frame in the window opening.
2. Screw only the top of the frame to the casement first. Attach the frame with the provided screws, using either screw port. Start in the middle, and then fasten the corners. Space additional screws no more than 30" apart. If one or more T-posts are used, attach the frame near the top of each T-post.
3. Move the bottom frame left or right as needed to align the panels. When the panels are evenly aligned, fasten the bottom frame, spacing the screws the same distance apart as on the top frame.
4. Attach the side frames with screws through the predrilled holes at every hinge.
5. Complete the installation by snapping in filler strips and mounting the shutter magnets.

Outside Mount Shutter Installation – Square Frame

The Square Frame is used for Outside Mounts. Outside Mount installations are necessary when there is not at least 1 1/2" of clearance within your window opening (See Illustration E). The frame is installed on your wall, outside of the window opening. If your window has trim, attach the frame directly to your trim or first remove the trim and mount the frame to your wall (See Illustration F). The Square Frame has a base dimension of 1 5/16" and requires at least 1 5/16" of a flat surface. The mounting screws must be drilled into a secure surface such as wood, not drywall. Otherwise, use drywall bolts. If your window has molding of less than 1 5/16" or has a dimensional surface, it is best to remove the molding.

Illustration E	Illustration F

Outside Mount shutters will come to you without any deduction from your sizes, unlike Inside Mounts where approximately 1/4" will be deducted from the width and height.

Installation Instructions for Square Frame:

If the shutter was shipped disassembled, refer to Frame and Shutter Assembly above.

Once assembled, follow these steps:

1. Determine where the outside edges of the frame will be located around the window.Mark the top, left, and right edge locations.
2. With the frame in place, first screw only the top frame to the mounting surface through the screw port on the frame.  Attach the frame with the 3" screws provided, using the pre-drilled holes in the screw port, which pass through the aluminum reinforcement inside the frame.
3. Depending on clearances required for louver operation, snap-ons may be used to "build-out" the frame.  Each snap-on adds 1/2", and a maximum of two can be used.
4. Move the bottom frame left or right to align the panels. Once the panels are evenly aligned, fasten the bottom frame using the pre-drilled holes.
5. Attach the side frames with screws through the predrilled holes at every hinge.
6. Snap in the filler strips and cover strips.
7. Mount the shutter magnets.

Cleaning Instructions

With Hunter Douglas Satinwood Fauxwood shutters, no special cleaning or care is necessary.

Just wipe them off with ordinary soap and water. In fact, regular cleaning enhances the finish and gives them an "ever-improving" appearance for years to come.