What do you call the gadget that keeps shutters ajar?

[Carol]

All our neighbours keep their shutters just slightly open during the day, so that the sun stays out but some air gets in. Ours just move around crashing against the wall or the window when we try to do the same. I reckon they have some sort of gadget fitted to keep theirs in place, but I've no idea what! Anyone know?

or even if you don't know what is the word for shutter accessories / hardware so that i can google and try to find a photo. It must be common because everyone does it.

[davidmarshall25]

Ours have the handle oneside that lovks them & a little bracket the other side that you can clip the handle over to keep them slightly ajar.

[Carol]

and its all one piece? So, mine are missing the little bracket?

[fidobsa]

I assume you are talking about the exterior roller shutters? I had to renew the shutters on my 3 front facing windows when I had new windows. Basically there are 2 designs. The newer type have the shutters stowed in a metal box mounted outside abouve the window. This is operated by a thin rope which has a plastic dispenser mounted inside on the window frame. As you pull rope from the dispenser, the shutters are lowered. When you pull the rope to raise the shutters the spring in the dispenser draws the rope back in. It has a friction device that grips the rope to stop the shutters dropping.
The older type has a cavity in the wall above the window inside the room. There is a wooden access panel which can be removed for repairs. The cord for raising and lowering this type is normally a thick canvas ribbon and does not usually have the dispenser. In this case the surplus cord is just left to hang down and you have a friction device mounted on the frame or wall to grip the cord at the desired shutter position. In my house I have 2 such designs of friction device. One type has a cylinder which can slide up and down in slots and trap the cord against the flat surface of the mounting bracket. The other sort has 2 hinged knife edges that can meet like teeth and grip the cord.
I bought the parts I needed in Hungary so I don't know the Croatian names for anything. This is a link for the dispenser part I mentioned: redonydiszkont.hu/spd/unas_452137/1-Redony-automata-gurtnis-fem-fullel-feher

[fidobsa]

I found a link to the cylinder type friction device I mentioned. If you have the older type shutters, this might be what you need:
www.redonywebshop.hu/redonyalkatresz/redonyszerelvenyek/maxigurtnirogzitobeka

[Carol]

I meant this kind:
[http://media.istockphoto.com/photos/dalmatian-window-picture-id471105201]


Is that the same thing as you are talking about? (I'm confused!)

[Carol]

They slam back and forth in a breeze. I can pin them tight shut or pin them wide open, but all my neighbours leave their's so that they are open by about 15cm. In my neighbours method, some of the heat can escape, a little light can come in, but the sun doesn't shine straight in. Mine just have the 100% shut or the 100% open options.

(PS Its a pain having to lean out to close them too. I'm on tip toes stretching out to undo the catch on the wall. Then chances are, after i've managed to fold one in, it blows wide open or slams shuts banging me on the head when i am trying to reach the other one! We've got 13 pairs of shutters like this! So not that much fun when the wind picks up suddenly! There has to be an easier way...!)

[fidobsa]

Ah, sorry. Very few houses have the wooden shutters like that in my area so I've never seen them used in the way you describe. I was talking about the roller shutters like this:

www.redonywebshop.hu/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Hagyom__nyos_red_5131b872e5a5f.jpg

[january]

Carol, maybe you could use a hook and eye, one on the sill and one on the shotter, positioned somewhere near the hinge end of shutter to give the desired opening amount.