How to replace a broken louvre

Has one or more of your shutter louvres been damaged? The good news is that, in most cases, there's no need to replace the entire shutter. A replacement louvre can usually be fitted, restoring your shutter to its original appearance.

You may need to contact your original supplier to obtain a matching replacement louvre but, at Buzzard Shutters, we provide every customer with spare louvres for each shutter we install, giving you peace of mind should an accident happen in the future.

Unfortunately, not every shutter company offers this level of customer care, particularly those cheaper shutter suppliers, whose products are made in China, often using slave labour. 1. Remove the Broken Louvre and Pins

If the louvre has a half hidden control at the back of the shutter, unscrew the metal rod that is attached to the louvre.  Retain the screw to use with the new slat or louvre.

If the louvre is attached to a central or side tilt rod, use needle-nose pliers to gently twist and pull out the metal staple holding the rod to the damaged louvre.

2.  Remove the Broken Louvre

If the slat remains in place, carefully slide a thin knife or putty knife blade between the louvre and the frame (stile) and gently tap it until the louvre pops loose. Use a utility knife or pliers, to extract any remaining broken pin fragments stuck inside the frame.

3. Prepare the Replacement Louvre

You will need a new louvre cut to the exact size of your old one, along with a spring-loaded replacement pin (often called a "plunger" or "tension pin"). Insert the new pin into the drilled hole at the end of your replacement louvre.

3. Install the New Louvre

Align one side of your new louvre with the standard, fixed pin in the frame. Push the spring-loaded pin on the opposite side inward using a putty knife or similar, and wedge the louvre into the frame. Release the tension and wiggle the louvre until the pin pops out and locks securely into the frame's hole.

4. Reattach the Tilt Rod

For a half hidden tilt control rod at the back of the shutter, align the metal rod with the new louvre and re-insert the screw you removed earlier.

For a centre or side tilt control shutter, hold the louvre straight and use long-nosed pliers to reinsert the staple through the hole in the tilt rod and directly into the pre-drilled hole in the louvre. Apply a tiny drop of super glue to the end of the staple to keep it secured if necessary.