How to install face fit Shutters

Installations can vary slightly from window to window, so please follow these instructions carefully.

Before you begin to install your new shutters, we recommend clearing a large space on the floor near to where you’ll be working. It’s also a good idea to have another person there to help you, should any heavy lifting be required.

Assembling the shutters

Please note, these assembly instructions apply to shutters that have been ordered with more than one panel. If a single panel shutter has been ordered, it will be supplied pre-assembled.

1. Use a sharp blade to carefully open the delivery boxes and remove all contents. Then, place the panels in the correct order on the floor, making sure they are the right way up, and any rebates match up.

2. The framing pieces must be assembled first; they will be labelled Top, Bottom, Left and Right. Position all the frames face up on the floor.

3. The mitres are joined using Hoffman keys. Place the Hoffman key on a hard surface (a piece of ply or timber is recommended to prevent damage to the floor and to make sure the key finishes flush with the back of the frame) with the rounded end of the key facing up. Push each half of the mitre onto the key, until the mitre joins neatly and flush. Repeat for each corner.

4. (i) If the opening requires a T-post, identify the top of the post and position loosely within the frame.
   (ii) Place all panels within the frame in their correct order and insert the hinge pins

5. Square up the frame so that all hinge and clearance gaps are even and adjust the position of the T-post so that the panel gaps are even. Attach the top and bottom frame to the T-post using the long screws provided. Pre-drill a pilot hole from the back of the frame to ensure that when you insert the screw to secure the T-post, the screw does not punch a hole through the front surface. Congratulations! Your frame should now be fully assembled

6. Remove the hinge pins and panels from the frame before fitting the shutter to the window frame. Then reassemble as before.

Installing face fit Shutters

1. Position the frame evenly around the window opening and insert a screw into the pre-drilled hole at the top of the left-hand frame. Keeping the top of the frame level, insert a screw into the pre-drilled hole at the top of the right-hand frame. A spirit level can be used to level the top frame if required, but if architraves are present the frame will usually run flush with the top or a line on the architrave. This will temporarily hold your frame in the correct place on the window; the rest of the framing will be secured in later steps. For wider frames, a screw may also need to be inserted centrally into the top frame, to prevent it from sagging. If fitting to brick, then mark the wall through the pre-drilled holes and insert wall plugs first. 

2. Place the left-hand panel into the opening, lining up the hinge sections in the left L-frame, and then insert the hinge pins. Repeat for all other panels, working from left to right across the opening.

3. Assess the panels for squareness to the frame and each other. If gaps are not even or the panels do not line up to each other at the top and bottom, adjustments will need to be made using Hinge Spacers or other materials.

4. Adjust the bottom frame to the left or right, until the gaps are even and the tops and bottoms of adjacent panels line up. Insert a screw into the bottom of the left frame.

5. Re-check that the panels and frame are still square, and the gaps are even. Stand back and check that the whole opening is sitting square on the window. 

6. Insert the rest of the screws into the pre-drilled holes on all sides of the frame. If required, additional holes can be drilled in the frames to line up with specific locations. 

7. Re-check squareness of frames and panels and test the function of the panels. Carefully press the cover strips into the corresponding sides of the frame.

8. Apply caulking around outside of frame. Where possible, caulking should be the same or similar colour as the reveal, as it will make the window opening appear to be square. Where this is not possible, the caulking should be the same or similar colour to the frame.

9. Lastly, if everything is looking good, give the shutter a final wipe down clean and start enjoying them!

If you’d like to review these instructions in the printed document provided with every order, click here.