Intake Shutter Installation: Inside Or Out?

12 years ago

I have a 3' skirt of PT plywood on my greenhouse. I want to install today and the vendor is closed.

Here's my question: Do I mount the intake shutter on the inside (pushing the shutter through the hole), or on the outside with the entire assembly on the outside?

Link at the bottom to see the shutter I have. I also have the motor for opening the shutter based on my thermostat.

Here is a link that might be useful: The shutter I have

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Comments (6)

stressbaby
12 years ago
I have those intake shutters and I mount from the inside. I would worry about exposure of the motor to the elements the other way.
penfold2
12 years ago
Yes, mount it with the motor inside the greenhouse. This protects the motor from the elements, plus it prevents you from having to route the power cord back inside the greenhouse.
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mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
12 years ago
I think what is being asked is if the flange on the shutter housing attaches to the inside of the wall or outside. The motor would be inside the greenhouse no matter which way as long as the shutter assembly is on the outside of the greenhouse.

I would install it from the outside and put some caulking between the flange and wood when you screw it in place.

Mike
calliope
12 years ago
They are typically installed with the flanges on the inside.
hartwood
12 years ago
I have these shutters, and the variable speed exhaust fan. My greenhouse walls are 2x4 construction, with salvaged windows above and plywood sheathing below. I mounted my shutters from the outside, screwing the flange into framing behind the plywood. You can see how I did it in the blog post, linked below.

Connie

P.S. If you want to see the whole process of installing the windows in the greenhouse, click on the "greenhouse windows' tag at the end of the post.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blog post showing shutter installation
calliope
12 years ago
I'll explain why fans and shutters are typically mounted with the flange on the inside of the openings. You'll notice that the weight of the unit (and especially fan units) are not evenly distributed and the guts enclosed in the box are usually hanging on the outside of the opening. If you mount them with the flange on the outside, it puts all the stress on the mounting screws, instead of distributing around the whole unit by way of the flange. The weight of the units also push against the opening and cause there to be a tighter fit simply from gravity. And believe it or not I've seen screws fail and loosen simply from fan vibrations over the years. If the flange is on the inside, and the bulk of the unit on the outside, the unit is more stable, and the bottom edge of it is then weight bearing, taking the stress off the screws.

It's probably obvious I work with pretty large fans, and motorised shutters, but the principle of it is valid regardless of the size units you work with.

Intake Shutter Installation: Inside Or Out?

Comments (6)

stressbaby

penfold2

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