What is a stile?
The stile is the source of strength for a wood plantation shutter. It is the vertical part of the shutter frame and secures the louvers. The tops of the stile are routed to accommodate the mortise and tenon joinery.
What is an engineered stile?
The stile is built by layering and stacking thin strips of wood to create a single piece. Each strip of wood is glued to the other, with the wood grain running in the opposite direction. It is then subjected to high temperatures and pressure.
What are the benefits of an engineered stile?
A single piece of wood will always be weakest along the grain and is susceptible to warping and splitting when exposed to the elements. An engineered wood stile will always be stronger because of strength gained by breaking up the grains and having them run opposite each other. The process stabilizes the wood and results in a much sturdier, more robust piece.
