Fix Sticking Shutters: Adjusting Hinges and Lubricating Joints

It’s frustrating when shutters that should open and close smoothly end up sticking, catching, or moving jerkily. Stiff shutters are difficult to operate and can lead to damage if forced. But often the cure for sticking shutters is relatively simple – a combination of hinge adjustments and proper lubrication. This article covers common causes of sticking shutter operation along with proven DIY methods and professional techniques for adjusting hinges and lubricating joints to restore smooth shutter motion.

Common Causes of Sticking Shutters

To properly fix sticky shutters, you first need to understand what’s causing the sticking. Typical culprits include:

Paint, dirt, or grime buildup impairing hinge movement
High humidity swelling the wood and binding moving parts
Loose hinge screws allowing play and misalignment
Dry, unlubricated joints creating friction and squeaking
Warped slats or panels rubbing together or on frames
Out of alignment hardware like latches not meshing smoothly
Hinges tightened unevenly causing off-kilter hanging

Diagnosing the specific cause is the key first step toward getting shutters moving freely again.

Cleaning Dirty Hinges

Paint splatters, accumulated dirt, grime, and other gunk on hinges can interfere with pivot motion. Cleaning is an easy first step toward free operation:

Use a razor blade to scrape off any paint blobs sticking hinges.
Scrub hinges with a small brush and degreaser to remove oily dirt buildup.
Use compressed air to blow out any crumbs or debris lodged inside hinges.
Wipe down entire area with a clean rag afterwards.

Cleaning allows hinges to fully extend and retract without impediment.

Adjusting Loose Hinges

Hinges slowly loosen over time, allowing shutter panels to slip out of alignment and bind. Simple tightening realigns sticking doors:

Check each hinge screw and tighten any loose ones with a screwdriver.
Use longer screws if necessary for a more secure grip in the wood framing.
For stubborn screws, apply penetrating oil before tightening with added force.
Replace any stripped screws that spin freely without tightening.

Snugging up loose hinge screws eliminates play that allows binding and sticking.

Leveling Unevenly Hung Shutters

If one shutter sticks higher than the one hanging next to it, the hinges likely need leveling adjustments:

Determine which side needs to move up/down and by how much.
Back out top or bottom hinge screws slightly to allow adjustments.
Shim behind a screw with slivers of wood to adjust angle and orientation.
Re-tighten screws securely. Test shutter operation and re-adjust as needed.

Leveling uneven shutters prevents binding and allows smooth coordinated operation.

Re-Hanging Badly Warped Shutters

Over time, shutter panels can severely warp or bend out of shape. Rehanging can help:

Completely remove warped shutters from window or door.
Plane or sand down any swollen or misshapen areas.
Rehang shutter using shims to fine tune level and plumb.
Test operation and use additional shims if any sticking points remain.
Seal around shutters using caulk to prevent moisture penetration.

Rehanging provides an opportunity to completely realign and resquare badly warped shutters. If severe warping persists, shutter replacement may be required.

Loosening Extra-Tight Hinges

For new shutters or after hinge tightening, hinges can sometimes be too snug. This also leads to sticking.

Try lubricating the joints using spray or graphite powder. Penetrate into crevices.
Loosen hinge screws very slightly to allow more pivot play if lubrication alone doesn’t help.
Consider replacing tight hinges with specialty loose pin or pivot hinges promoting effortless swing.

A little strategic loosening can get hinges moving freely again.

Lubricating Dry Shutter Joints

The most common sticking cause is insufficient lubrication. Periodic lubrication prevents noisy, sticky operation:

Use machine oil or lubricating spray to penetrate into hinges. Work joints to disperse lube.
Apply wax-based gel lubricants to sliding surfaces like latch bolt guides.
For wood-on-wood areas, rub paraffin wax or graphite powder directly onto rubbing points.
Lubricate lift rod guide pins. Slide rods in and out to distribute lubricant.

Proper re-lubrication of all friction points gets shutters gliding smoothly once again.

Adjusting Hardware and Components

If shutters catch on surrounding hardware or frames, adjustments provide clearance:

Align latches/catches so shutter latches engage easily without binding.
Adjust keepers, strike plates if rubbing shutter surfaces during closure.
Shim lower hinges out slightly if panel bottoms drag on sills.
Sand or plane protruding areas on panels that catch on frames or stops.

Altering hardware alignment and trimming wood high spots eliminates points of friction and interference.

When To Call A Professional

Some causes of stuck shutters like hinge adjustments, minor sanding, and lubricating can be tackled by DIYers. However, if you are uncomfortable detaching shutters or dealing with:

Hardware alignment needing precision tuning
Significant hinge and panel sanding/planing
Rehanging severely warped or damaged shutters
Refastening loose window frames causing issues
Weather sealing, flashing, and drainage improvements

It is advisable to hire a professional experienced in shutter adjustments and repairs. They have specialized skills and tools to tackle tricky sticking issues while avoiding damage.

Signs Full Shutter Replacement Is Needed

In cases of extreme damage or deterioration, sticking may persist even after adjustments. Signs that replacement is needed include:

Complete wood rot through entire thickness or length
Multiple split, cracked, or broken slats
Hinges so worn that screwing provides no grip
Years of repainting binding joints completely stuck
Outdated odd custom sizes that can’t be retrofitted

If multiple components are too far gone, full shutter replacement may be the only option to address underlying causes.

Professional Shutter Adjustment Process

Qualified contractors methodically tune and tweak sticking shutters using precision techniques perfected over years of experience. The process includes:

Thoroughly examining shutter assembly to diagnose binding causes.
Cleaning hinges, hardware, tracks to restore free joint movements.
Systematically tightening all loose screws and fasteners.
Leveling uneven shutters and realigning components.
Making subtle alignment tweaks and sanding targeted high spots.
Applying specialized lubricants made for shutter hardware.
Adjusting latches, lifts, and accessories preventing smooth operation.
Sealing gaps and refining clearances.
Testing operation between each adjustment.
Fine-tuning adjustments until full free movement is restored.

Professional adjustment combines cleaning, tightening, alignment, lubricating, and modifying to fix sticking issues.

Maintaining Non-Sticking Shutters

To prevent freshly adjusted shutters from reverting to sticking, maintenance is key:

Annually clean hinges and re-lubricate with a light machine oil or wax-based lubricant.
Listen for sounds of rubbing/squeaking which indicate a need for re-adjustment.
Keep wood properly sealed and painted to prevent swelling that alters clearances.
Periodically check and tighten any loose hardware.
Immediately sand out any new wood warping or bubbling paint.
Have professionals re-adjust if painting, installing new windows, or modifying surroundings.

Proper ongoing maintenance preserves optimal shutter operation for years.

Restore Smooth Function

Don’t force sticky shutters or live with the annoyance of difficult operation. Our team specializes in expert shutter adjustment services using proven methods to get shutters moving freely again. Through systematic cleaning, lubrication, hardware tuning, and precision modifications, we’ll have your shutters opening and closing with ease. Contact us today to schedule service and breathe new life into tired, sticking shutters!