How to Create a Boarded Up Window Effect for Halloween

Make your house look like an old, boarded up haunted house. This project only costs about $15 and is easy. Have the best haunted house on the block!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 sheet of foam insulation
• Craft paint
• Paint brush
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Glue
• Tape

1. 
    

   Collect all the items needed. The boards will be made out of foam insulation. This foam insulation can be purchased at a home improvement store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. One 4ft by 8ft sheet costs about $9. The pink or blue foam works best.

2. 
    

   Remove the plastic film from the foam. The plastic that is removed can be used as a drop cloth later. Cut out the boards with your utility knife. Make the boards big enough to overlap the window frame. Remember that you want the boards to look like wood so don't cut straight lines.
   *Before cutting out the boards, test the foam to see which direction will carve easier. One direction will create smooth lines, the other direction will be jagged and hard to carve.*

3. 
    

   Using a phillips head screwdriver, carve the lines in your boards. To make knots, use the handle end of your screwdriver and dent the foam a few times. To make nail holes, poke the screwdriver straight through the board.

4. 
    

   Once you are finished carving your boards, rough up the surface with a fine grit sandpaper. This will make the texture look more like wood and will also make the paint adhere better to the surface.

5. 
    

   Next comes the first layer of paint. This paint color should be the darker of the two. I mixed together brown and black craft paint. The layer should completely coat the board. Be sure to get into all of the cracks and lines you have created.

6. 
    

   Once the first layer of paint dries, it is time for the lighter color. For this color I mixed together brown, grey, and white craft paint. With a light coat of paint on your brush, gently paint the top surface of the board. This time try not to get any paint in the cracks. The board does not need to be evenly coated with paint. It just needs a light coat of paint to make the cracks stand out.

7. 
    

   In order to attach the boards to your window, you may want to follow this step also. I used some scrap foam to create foam blocks for the back side of the boards. I glued the foam blocks onto the boards. I used clear packing tape on the foam blocks to tape the boards directly to the window. I found this method works best with my house because it is stucco. If your house has brick or siding you may find an easier way to attach the boards.

8. 
    

   Use packing tape to tape the boards to the window. Attach the boards at different angles to add to the effect. Happy Halloween!

[iamageniuster]

on 10/20/2008 Great tips. Thanks for sharing. 5 stars!

[lildutchgirl56]

on 10/19/2008 Wonderful idea! Thanks