Using the Hidden Tilt Rod

Many customers automatically assume their shutters will feature a traditional tilt-rods, that run down the center front of their shutter panels. Normally this is true, and is actually acceptable to the average customer, who either prefers or does not mind having the traditional look. Many decors and a high percentage of homes, especially in southern areas, will benefit from that particular look, as it fits the architectural design of the home itself.

Tilt-rods have been acceptable for so many years, due to one main reason. And that reason being was that the tilt-rod was required and served the purpose for providing a practical way to open and close the individual louvers, without having to move each and every one. In some houses, that would have been hundreds, if not thousands of louvers, being opened and closed. Not only would the time required to do this have been excessive, it would have also created a chaotic appearance as the individual louvers could also be set in so many different angles without there be any uniformity to each panel.

The rods themselves have become more decorative over time, and have been used in multiple or split sections sections, to give home owners better control over their shutters. But still, many will find the tilt-rod obstructs their view, or it adds another busy feature to a window, that may already have a grid in place.

However, some years back, different companies began to manufacture panels that now have a control rod that is hidden in the rear of the panel. There are several systems that can accomplish this, but most common is the use of a metal rod attached to the ends of the louvers, on the backside of the panel, almost completely hidden from view. At Suber Custom Shutters, we refer to this as a Hidden Tilt Rod, and to the panel itself as a Clear View Shutter. The hidden tilt rod has become more popular, every year since we began offering it back in 2008. Since most customers choosing to use the Clear View Shutter are seeking to improve their view through the windows, the hidden tilt rod is most often used in combination with either the 3 1/2" louver or the larger 4 1/2" louver.