Service & Maintenance

• Keep the tracks clean. Wash them regularly. Inspect for buildup of dirt, salt, insect nests, and other particles that may cause problems with the operation of your shutters.  Make sure the felt strips in the tracks are clean and free of debris. Using the shutter daily will help keep the tracks clean.
• Wash with warm water, soap, and a soft brush. Clean slats using a vertical motion. Avoid a horizontal motion that could misalign the slats and jam the shutter. Cleaning should be done at least two to three times during the summer months.
• Keep shutter travel area clear of all articles, furniture, etc. If the shutter hits an object, misalignment or damage can occur which may result in costly repairs.
• If you have an electric motor on your shutters, use the motor a minimum of twice a month. This action will create heat in the tube and eliminate moisture.
• If you have an electric motor on your shutters, complete the shutter cycle before reversing the direction. If you close or open the shutter partially then stop, finish closing or opening the shutter before you operate it in the opposite direction.
• On an electric shutter with a Backup Motor Override (BMO) System, use the SMO only in an emergency. Electric shutter switches should be in the neutral (center) position when not in use. Do not turn switch on and walk away.  Wait until shutter cycle is completed, then return switch to neutral position.
  

Thank you for your business. Please contact us if you have any further questions about the care & maintenance of your shutters.

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Use and maintenance instructions for aluminum Bahama shutters:

To close your aluminum Bahama shutters:

• First, locate the "Bahama collars" which are on the telescoping arms located on the left and right sides of the Bahama shutter.
• Each collar will have a thumbscrew, which is finger-tightened against the arm to keep the shutter in its angled position.
• Loosen the thumbscrews on both arms, and the shutter will fall against the house. It is best to support the weight of the shutter with one or two hands to keep it from closing too quickly.
• For exterior closures: gently slide the "hockey stick", which is located at the base of the telescoping arm, away from the shutter until the shutter is able to lay flat against the window trim and the hole in the side of the shutter lines up with the hockey stick. Then slide the hockey stick back toward the shutter and into the hole. Repeat this for the other side. You may find that it is easier to slide both hockey sticks away from the shutter before attempting to insert either hockey stick into the hole in the shutter (because both sides of the shutter will be lying flat against the trim). You may need to exert some gentle pressure to get the shutter to lie completely flat and line up the holes with the hockey sticks.
• For interior closures: once the shutter has come to rest against the house, the angled clips at the bottom of the shutter will line up with the ones on your house. The holes in the angles will line up, and now you should insert your quick-release pins in the holes. You may need to exert some gentle pressure to get the shutter to lie completely flat and lne up with the holes--you can do this by gently pulling on the shutter blades. Note: DO NOT store the quick-release pins outside for long periods of time or leave them resting in the angle which is installed on the house. These pins are not stainless steel and are meant to be stored indoors.
• For rated Bahamas: these must be secured from the outside. There are anchor systems attached to the shutter and the structure. Sometimes you must disconnect the bottom half of the arms to get the screws in/over the anchors. If this is necessary, re-attach the arms after the anchors are in place so that the arms are secure. To close, loosen the thumbscrew and allow the shutter to close. Using the 2 x 2 or the 2 x 3 clips that are predrilled to align with the holes on the shutter and the wall anchor, secure the shutter to wall in all applicable places.

MAINTENANCE:

In order to keep your Bahama shutters functioning properly, you will need to remove the thumbscrews and coat them twice a year with a product called "Never-Sieze", which is available through Fastenal Company of Mount Pleasant (834-338-0090). This ensures that the thumbscrews will not seize against the collars, preventing you from changing the angle of your shutters. If you choose not to perform this maintenance, the thumbscrews will seize in position against the collars. If this happens, you may still close and lock the shutter by removing the hockey stick completely from the "camel-backs" found at the base of the arms, allowing the arms to swing free and the shutter to close against the house. At this time, you can re-insert the hockey sticks back through the camel backs and into the holes in the shutter.

Thank you for your business. Please contact us if you have any further questions about the care & maintenance of your shutters.

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Care and maintenance instructions for your Accordion Shutters:

Congratulations! You have selected the finest accordion shutters made to protect your family and home. Their strength and durability will provide excellent protection for many years. To protect your investment and keep shutters in top operating condition, the following simple preventative maintenance should be done regularly:

• KEEP THE TRACKS CLEAN. Wash them regularly. Inspect for buildup of dirt, salt, insect nests, and other particles that may cause problems with the operation of your shutters.
• LUBRICATE THE TRACKS AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. Use a clear silicone spray lubricant, such as Permatex Superlube, that can be purchased in a hardware store. DO NOT USE WD-40 OR ANY OILY LUBRICANT. Dirt and salt will build up faster with this type of lubricant.
• LUBRICATE THE THUMBSCREWS AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. We recommend using a product such as Never-Seize, which is available through Fastenal Company in Mt. Pleasant (843-388-0090). DO NOT USE WD-40 OR ANY OILY LUBRICANT. Lubricating the thumbscrews will ensure that you can remove your locking pins to close the accordion shutter. If you do not perform this maintenance, the thumbscrews will seize against the locking pins and you will not be able to close your shutter.
• WASH WIT WARM WATER, SOAP AND A SOFT BRUSH AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. Wash the slats and the “ribs” (hinges) connecting the slats. The ribs should be cleaned with the shutter in both the open and folded positions to better remove dirt and salt. DO NOT USE ABRASIVE CLEANERS, PADS OR HARD BRISTLE BRUSHES.
• BE SURE TO OPERATE YOUR SHUTTER AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. This will help to keep your tracks clear and moving smoothly.

Please remember that your accordion shutters are moving walls of metal, not precision instruments. They must have some "play" in them and will make some noise when used. This is especially true during high winds when positive and negative wind pressures will cause the shutters to flex in and out. The noise your hear is normal and no cause for alarm.

Thank you for your business. Please call us with any questions you may have.

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How to Secure Your Shutters: Video coming soon!