Exposed hardware

more exposed hardware at the top. Sorry the pictures are so dark.

Example of one of the smaller windows that looks good. Notice the z-frame around the shutters, and there are no gaps.

Thanks in advance for any input.

This post was edited by beaches1980 on Sat, Oct 5, 13 at 10:00

I do not think you are being picky. If you look at google images of shuttered windows, they do not have gaps like yours. I would not be happy with those at all.
I think you need call the store where you purchased them

Are the larger shutters, which appear to be two to a window, supposed to be able to open at the center so they can be folded on that pivot hardware back against the wall on either side? I ask because the hardware installed seems to be for that purpose.

If you never intend to fold the shutters back, as it appears with the narrow ones on the small windows, which look as though just the slats would move up and down for light control, why would they be installed differently?

They need space both at top and bottom, and at the sides to be folded back. If that wasn't your intention, and you intend to have the shutters cover the windows at all times, then I would ask them to re-install as the did the narrow ones. Was there an installation contract which specified the larger windows would be installed differently?

I don't understand what is going on with the center top ...

I've been googling everywhere to find that type of installation
used on interior shutters .None to be found.
I don't know why they had to use the pivot type hinge .

You're not being picky.. I consider them to be unacceptable .

I'm very interested to know what their answer is when you ask
them why that type of install was used ..

Thank you for your replies so far. Its good to know that we aren't the only ones who think these shutters look weird.

The 2 larger windows, have both been installed with 2 to a window each, opening kinda like closet bifold doors. They slide open, but don't fold over. There is no pivot hardware. That is not what I wanted, but I could deal with it if they at least looked nice closed, and if they would actually stay closed.

I also don't have an installation contract, but I know the store we bought them from will refund us 100%. I do feel confident in that at least.

I will keep you posted on what they say. We have a call into our sales person, and are waiting to hear back...probably not until Monday.

So it's installed as if to be a bifold doors with the track on top ?
Never seen that on plantations...
Here's a pic of 4 panels on one window.
I'm sure there will be a resolve ...Good luck to ya !!

I see what I called a pivot is actually a pin type thing that allows them to slide in a track to open. It will be interesting to see what they come up with, since to open them, you do need a bit of space for them to slide. Was there a display in the store that showed ones that open like that?

I just Googled them and looked through some pics til I came to this one linked below. You can see a gap on the sides of these, too. It's not as obvious as yours as there is lots of light on the inside as well as outside in the pic.

Note how the pics (scroll ahead to 22 of 28) have the corners where the hardware is hidden in the photos, or the black bar at the bottom is places JUST right to conceal them Sneaky!

Here is a link that might be useful: Image of HD shutters like yours

Thank you again for your replies, and thanks for the links & pictures. You guys are awesome!

I never did see a display, we had a rep at our place to measure and we picked from a catalogue. We have real wood shutters on our main floor, and I said I wanted the new ones to open like them. I never thought there would be any other way to open them.

The odd thing about the large windows install, is that the side window is installed correctly next to it, so I can easily compare and see the difference.

My shutters have the same hinges as forboystoo. They fold back as they are even with the trim. The hardware you have looks like what is used for doors, not windows.

Other than cleaning, I can't remember folding back my shutters.

Have them done right, you deserve right.

Here is a picture of the shutters I have on one of my fairly large windows. They have hinges directly in the frame of the windows. No gaps when they are closed. They do not sit in tracks. That hardware appears to be causing your gaps.

Poor pictures taken with iPad.

Open.

Hope this helps.

I would have them changed.

Red- thanks for posting your pictures. Your shutters look perfect. May I request a picture with them closed as well, please? I want to be able to show this to our rep.

Also, do you have trouble closing the shutters? The doors pop open, and its a pain to close them.

Thank you so much!!

Red- thanks for posting your pictures. Your shutters look perfect. May I request a picture with them closed as well, please? I want to be able to show this to our rep.

Also, do you have trouble closing the shutters? The doors pop open, and its a pain to close them.

Thank you so much!!

Here's a picture closed. No trouble shutting them although I don't open and close them daily.

They don't pop open. There are strong magnets at the bottom of the tiny frame on each side of the window and a small metal piece on the bottom of each side of the shutters that hold the shutters in place once closed.

{{!gwi}}

"They have hinges directly in the frame of the windows"

Do you mean they are permanently recessed/chiseled into the window frame, as a door is?

Snookums-- like this. The hinge is not imbedded into the frame like a door frame. It's just installed on the window frame. And you can see the tiny frame they also installed for the shutter to rest against when closed.

In the middle, bottom area of the frame are the 2 small magnets.

This is a different window than the other pictures. Since it's smaller, I was able to get a picture of the hinge, the frame and the magnet.

You can also see a tiny hole that I need to fill above the hinge that was left by a company that put shutters on and didn't do a good job. I had them take them off and ordered them from someone else.

Not just anyone can do a good job on plantation shutters. Like the OP, I found out the hard way. Don't pay for them until you are satisfied.

Picture of bigger window with closed shutters.

Thanks for the detail, Red.

Thought I would post an update:

HD is replacing my shutters!! So happy.

My rep came out to see the windows and was really shocked with the product. So in 8 weeks or so, my windows should be fixed up.

Thanks for providing feedback!!! (hopefully the new ones are better).

So glad for you Beaches. I love plantation shutters.

Beaches, thank you so much for posting an update! They'll look great, and isn't nice when the rep steps up for you and you get a happy outcome :)