Our last blog post explored in detail the vertical rails on a shutter panel, called stiles. Now, let’s take a look at the solid top and bottom rails, and the optional mid-rail. What are the specs on these, how do they reinforce structural integrity, and why is it important when designing your shutters?

Top and Bottom Rails 

Plantation shutters are known for their movable slats, also called louvers, that rotate open and closed to control how much light enters the room.  

Holding each shutter panel together are the left and right vertical stiles, and the solid top and bottom rails.  

Top and bottom rail sizes are at the factory’s discretion, determined by the height of the panel and adjusted to accommodate your chosen slat size. These rails will generally range between 3” to 5”. Smaller rails would reduce the stability and overall structural integrity of the shutter, therefore we do not advise requesting any deviation from the factory’s recommended rail sizes.  

This matters when designing your shutters because it will tell you where your first moving slats will begin – an important factor in determining how much recess depth you have for the slats to operate and how large of a slat size you can choose.