Hunter Douglas Palm Beach Shutters:A Closer Look

Tradition makes them beautiful.

Palm Beach™ custom shutters combine the best of both worlds: attractive good looks and low maintenance. You can enjoy the elegant appearance of shutters in any interior space -- without worrying about warping, fading, chipping or excessive wear.

Palm Beach™ shutters come in both 2 3/8" and 3 3/8" louver sizes, in the most popular colors, and in two unique styles. Lantana™ is our patented, gear-driven model for easy fingertip operation, while Palmetto™ offers the classic look of a tilt bar system. Both styles feature sleek lines, smooth operation and our exclusive equal distant louver spacing.

A closer look at Hunter Douglas Palm Beach™ Shutters .

Palm Beach™ custom shutters are available in a variety of configurations for the perfect look. Three basic systems, framed or unframed, are available:

Standard hinged panel system
• Bi-fold track system
• Bi-pass track system

Optional configurations within these systems include double-hung and cafe windows, bay and bow windows, and French and patio doors.

Easy care and maintenance.

Hunter Douglas Palm Beach™ custom shutters are made from our uniquely formulated poly-satin compounds that will not warp, crack, chip or shrink. Poly-satin shutters are the perfect solution for installation in bathrooms, kitchens, pool and sauna areas, and sunrooms because they are UV-resistant and unaffected by temperature and humidity extremes.

In addition, the color is impregnated throughout all poly-satin components. The finish resists scratches and dents, and never requires sanding, staining or painting.
Plus, Palm Beach™ shutters are easy to keep looking good. Just wipe them off with ordinary soap and water. The surface finish of our poly-satin compounds is actually enhanced by regular cleaning

Durability.

For added strength, key interior support elements such as stiles and T-posts are reinforced by thick aluminum. This adds a tremendous amount of stability to the shutter panels.

Palm Beach™ shutters are also flame retardant.

Frame selections.

Palm Beach™ shutters can adapt to practically any window situation or decorating theme. Frame designs vary from traditional to contemporary.

SHUTTER BASICS The basic shutter assembly is a shutter panel hinged to a frame. The panel consists of louvers which pivot open and closed, with stiles on the sides and rails on the top and bottom. Panels over 60" in height require at least one divider rail. Top and bottom rails are typically 4" in height, although 2" rails are available for shutters up to 20" wide by 36" high. Stile and other support elements are reinforced with aluminum along their full length for added durability and strength. Tilt Bar or Gear-Driven Operation The shutter louvers are opened and closed using either a tilt bar linked to the louvers (Palmetto™) or an internal gear and rack system in one of the stiles (Lantana™). The tilt bar on Palmetto systems can be ordered in the traditional location - front center on the panel - or it can be ordered on the rear of the panel, connected to the ends of the louvers on the panel's hinge side. Other Panel Components Additional components of shutter panels include: stile covers, stile caps, astrogal, and stile ramp caps. Stile covers fit on the side of the stile. They conceal fabrication hardware and provide a finished look to the stiles. Stile caps serve the same function on the top and bottom of the stiles. Astrogal is a flange to block the light gap where two shutter panels meet. It is not needed in single panel assemblies. Instead of a standard stile cap, the stile ramp cap is used on the bottom of stiles on the non-hinged side of a panel. It helps maintain proper panel clearance and assists in keeping the panel closed, eliminating the need for magnets in some cases.
	SHUTTER FRAMES While it is possible to sell and install unframed shutter systems, where the panels are attached directly to the window or door opening, the vast majority of shutters sold are framed systems. Frames help compensate for out-of-square openings, offer superior light blockage, and add a decorative style to the installation. Three Choices of Frames There are three types of frames for standard panel shutter systems: traditional frame, contemporary frame, and Z-frame. Deco flex and rubber flex are available with the contemporary frame for a more decorative look, as well as to help block light gaps in out-of-square openings. Shutter Hinges Hinges are available in white, white silk, off-white, brass or chrome. Stainless steel hinges are available at a surcharge. Optional removable pin hinge available when specified.

STANDARD PANEL SYSTEMS
Standard panel systems can consist of multiple shutter panels in a variety of hinged configurations. In addition to being hinged from the frames, panels may be hinged from T-posts, which serve as intermediate vertical supports. Two panels may also be hinged together in a bi-fold design.

The possible types of standard panel systems are illustrated in the Product Configurations page.

BI-FOLD TRACK SYSTEMS
In a bi-fold track system, the shutter panels are connected to top and bottom tracks which both support the hinged panels and guide their folding movement. Up to eight panels may be hinged together in a bi-fold track system.

A special frame is used with bi-fold track systems, although the tracks may also be attached directly inside the door or window opening. In sliding door openings, the frames are usually three-sided, with the optional bottom track attached to the floor.

Possible panel arrangements in a bi-fold track system are illustrated beginning on product configurations page.

BI-PASS TRACK SYSTEMS
Shutter panels in a bi-pass track system are not hinged. Instead, they slide on top tracks to open and close. Two tracks are required so that the panels, or connected pairs of panels, can slide past each other.

The tracks can be attached to a special bi-pass frame or directly to the door or window opening. In door openings, the frames are usually three-sided, with floor guides attached to the floor.

Panel arrangements for bi-pass track system are illustrated beginning on product configurations page.