Hold-opens > Overview

As the name implies, these hardware elements hold the shutters in the open position. Hooks, stays, and tie-backs fall within this group.

Shutter tiebacks, or shutter dogs, were the most common method of holding shutters in the open position. They typically mount into or onto the structure at the bottom of the shutter. Tiebacks are positioned so that when rotated from the vertical their hold on the shutter is released and it is freed to swing closed.

The tiebacks are always visible and exhibit more artistic forms and variations than any of the other shutter hardware. A nicely forged set of tiebacks provides a visual upgrade to any home. It’s worth looking through our offerings to see the options available to you. We have a nice library of originals we’ve designed for upscale residences. If you’d like some special signature ironwork on your project, we can probably work your ideas into a functional tie-back.

Tiebacks are priced by the pair with lag mount included. Other mounting options are offered at additional cost and shown below.

Hooks were often used to brace the shutters open on many early structures. Very common across the countryside where local smiths forged sturdy hooks seen on many farmhouses and outbuildings, it’s not unusual to come across them in early urban environs.

Shutter “stays” range from inventive hand-forged sliding mechanisms of the early 19 th century through factory made fasteners popular from the post-Victorian years well into the 20 th century.