Abstract: A shutter kit comprising frame components, louvers, inserts, louver clips and tilt bars are combined as a ready to assemble shutter. The frame components are configured to assemble into a shutter frame. The louvers are adapted to fit within the shutter frame. The inserts are adapted to attach to stiles of the frame components. The louver clips are capable of rotatably attaching at regular intervals along the length of the inserts and removably retaining the louvers. The tilt bars are adapted to rotatably interconnect the louver clips. In one embodiment, the inserts, louver clips and tilt bars are preassembled into trees adapted to insert into an assembled shutter frame.

Abstract: A removable louver shutter comprises a shutter frame defining an opening and inserts mounted to the frame proximate to the opening. End caps are rotatably mounted along the inserts. Generally planar louvers are each removably attached between corresponding pairs of the end caps so as to be disposed within the opening. At least one link bar connects the end caps so as to move the louvers between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A shutter attaches over a window opening without reliance on a traditional window frame for mounting or support. Rather, the shutter panel utilizes concealable hinges to fixedly attach the shutter panel directly to a window casement. This so-called “frameless” shutter has a shutter panel with stiles and spreaders that accommodate rotatable louvers that open and close the shutter panel to light. Each concealable hinges has a shutter mount and a window mount that removably attach together so as to removable mount the shutter panel over the window opening. A window frame may be attached to the wall around the shutter panel for decorative purposes.

Abstract: A grooved-stile shutter has a shutter frame with elongated stiles, inserts, louver end caps and louvers. The stiles define grooves disposed along opposite facing stile edges. The elongated inserts are installed into the stile grooves. The louver end caps rotatably mount along the inserts. The louvers removably mount to the louver end caps within the shutter frame. In this manner, the louvers can be individually removed and replaced without disassembly of the assembled shutter frame.

Abstract: A frameless shutter has a shutter panel having stiles and spreaders that accommodate louvers that rotate so as to open and close the shutter panel. An installation plate is mounted within a window opening. A concealable hinge has a shutter mount fixedly attached to the shutter panel back side and a plate mount fixedly attached to the installation plate. The shutter mount and the plate mount removably attach to mount the shutter panel over the window opening. A window frame is mounted to a wall having the window opening so as to surround and decorate the shutter panel.

Abstract: A shutter frame is assembled so as to incorporate grooved frame components as opposite facing stile portions of the shutter frame. Elongated, flexible inserts are installed into groove portions of the grooved frame components. Flexible louver attachments are rotatably mounted along the inserts. Louvers are removably mounted to the louver attachments within the assembled shutter frame so that the louvers can be individually removed and replaced without disassembly of the shutter frame.

Abstract: A shutter manufacturing method provides a coated manufactured wood substrate sheet. A plurality of attached shutter components are identified. The attached shutter components are configured edge-to-edge and end-to-end so as to comprise the substrate sheet. The attached shutter components are separated into a plurality of prefinished shutter components, and the prefinished shutter components are incorporated into a shutter assembly.

Abstract: A tilt control is adapted to rotate a louver between at least a partially open position and a partially closed position within a shutter frame. The tilt control comprises a stile adapted as a portion of the shutter frame and a gear rotatably retained within the stile. A rack slideably retained within the stile. The gear engages the rack so that linear movement of the rack causes a corresponding rotation of the gear. The louver removably connected to the gear so that rotation of the gear rotates the louver.

Abstract: A shutter is manufactured by laminating a surface of a substrate material. The substrate material is then cut into boards that are edge-milled and laminated and cut to length so as to create prefinished shutter components. These components are then assembled into a completed shutter. In one embodiment, the substrate is medium density fiberboard (MDF), the surface laminate is a hot roll laminate of decorative paper and the second laminate is a heat transfer foil. The combination prefinished, MDF substrate shutter components and associated construction methods achieve a high-quality shutter at a much reduced cost over conventional shutters constructed entirely of indigenous wood that is spray-painted after assembly.

Abstract: A shutter is manufactured by laminating top and bottom surfaces of a substrate material. The substrate material is then cut in bulk, forming strips that are shaped, sanded, edge-laminated and cut to length so as to create prefinished shutter components. These components are then assembled into a completed shutter. The laminates provide a high gloss, piano finish that is more scratch resistant and easier to clean, dust and maintain than spray-painted coatings used on conventional shutters. Tongue and groove joint construction reduces component chipping and cracking and provides significantly more surface glue space than conventional doweled joints. Also, louver tension control anchors prevent warping and bowing of the shutter frame and will not strip out of the louvers as would conventional tension controllers using “screw into wood” construction.