Accordion Shutters

To determine if you have enough space to install an accordian shutter, a good rule of thumb is... add 6" to the opening size. Then add 1-1/4" for each foot of opening to arrive at the actual width of the shutter. For example, if you have a 72"-wide window, the shutters require an area of approximately 86" in width.... (72" window + 6" + (1-1/4" * 6 )

The standard allowance for top and bottom is 6" - 3" for the header and 3" for the sill.

A 48" high opening will have a shutter 54" high.

Review the opening and stack chart for actual shutter size and stacking requirements. The left side of the chart is the width of your opening. This is the maximum the shutter will open when in the stored position. Take for example the 71.625" opening size. If your window measure 73" wide and you don't want to see the shutter from inside the house, you need to order the next size larger size. It will provide 76.5" of clear opening. However if you don't mind seeing the edge of the shutter from inside, order the shutter that provides a clear opening of 71.625". You will save a little money if you order each window and door using this criteria.

The second part of the chart has to do with the actual width of the shutter. I.E. the shutter with a clear opening of 71.625" will be 85.875" wide. The extra 14.25" is the amount of stack for the shutter when stored. This stack can be all on one side or the other or split half each side or if needed we can stack 25%of the blades one way and 75% the other.

The next section of the chart provides the number of blades the shutter will have. Take note it is always an even #. So when dividing the blades up for an uneven split opening it must be done in pairs.

The last line on the chart is the actual stack width. We did this because my sales folks couldn't do the subtraction between the clear opening and the total shutter width! Go figure!

Remember, for windows the height of the shutter will be 6" higher than the actual opening. So make sure you have the required 3" space above and below the window for the standard wall mount header and sill. You say you don't have the 3" of room above the opening?

Easy! Take a look at drawing 2. We provide a low profile ceiling mount header.