How to Make Exterior Shutters

If you live in a place that is frequented by hurricanes than you know how important shutters can be. Just a couple hours of work and a few pieces of wood can save some very expensive windows. This project can be done by one person until it comes time to hang the shutters. Then you will need some help. You can even custom decorate these functional shutters when you done.

Things You'll Need

• 1 by 6 wood planks
• 1 by 4 wood planks
• Saw
• Measuring tape
• Screws
• Drill
• Wood putty
• 4 shutter hinges
• 2 surface mount door bolts
• Exterior paint primer
• Exterior paint or stain and sealer
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Measure the window for which you want shutters. Measure from the trim or siding over the window to the trim or siding under the window, not the window itself. Then measure from siding to siding for the width and cut that measurement in half.

2. Measure out your planks. Count out how many planks you will need for each width and cut one to meet your total measurement. You will use the cut one on the outside where you will connect the hinges.

3. Measure for length and cut them a little longer than you need. You can make a final cut that will be more uniform when you have them put together.

4. Lie them down on a flat, hard surface next to each other to form the shutter. Lay the 1 by 4s across them 6 inches from the top and 6 inches from the bottom. (If you are doing a small window, you will want to adjust the cross bar to 2 or 3 inches from the top and bottom). Screw in the cross bars and counter sink the screws. Fill in the holes over the screw heads with wood putty.

5. Draw your exact measured cut line at the bottom of the shutter and cut. This is an extra step but it makes the shutter look much better than cutting them individually and then putting them together.

6. Paint the shutters with exterior paint primer. Let it dry according to manufacturer's directions and then paint at least two coats of exterior paint. Or stain the wood with a wood stain or a wood stain and sealer. If you use just a stain, then seal with a polyurethane sealant. The number of coats of stain depends on how dark you want the color. Use at least two coats of sealer.

7. Attach hinges and hang. Depending on the size of your window you will use two or three hinges per shutter. Using two hinges, attach one about 3 inches from the top and 3 inches from the bottom. If it's a very large window, use another hinge in the middle. When attaching to the building, make sure you get it into a stud for better support.

Tips & Warnings

• If you know how to use a router, you can make the planks tongue and grove and fit them together. This makes a much stronger shutter. You can decorate these shutters by using stencils and painting designs on them or by using wood cut-outs.