How to Make Wood Shutters

Member

By w1z111
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(3 Ratings)

You can make these wood shutters quite easily.

It is not really very difficult to make wood shutters; especially the simple vertical-slat type of wood shutters. While this particular design is basic, it can certainly add character to most any home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Adequate length of 1x4 clear pine, or other material of your choice.
Adequate amount of 1 1/4" #6 deck screws, for attaching vertical slats to horizontal cleats; coated preferred.
Adequate amount of 2 1/2" #8 deck screws, for attaching shutters to house.
Proper equipment and tools for measuring, marking, cutting, sanding, assembling, finishing, and attaching shutters.
Proper recommended personal protective equipment and gear, to ensure your safety.
Basic handyperson skills and knowledge of home maintenance and repair.

Step 1

Count and measure your windows:
First off, to make wood shutters for your home, you need to decide how many and what size windows you intend to shutter.

Generally, only those windows which are exposed to street traffic are shuttered, but some homeowners prefer to shutter all windows. You decide; then make your list, as follows:
Step 2

The list:
You will need enough 1" x 4" clear pine (or whatever material you prefer; pine is probably easiest to work with) to make eight (8) vertical slats for each window; at least as tall as the window.
You will also need enough 1" x 4" clear pine (again, optional) for the horizontal 'cleats' used to assemble the shutter slats.
You will need enough 1 1/4" deck screws; coated preferred; for assembling all your shutter slats and cleats. Each shutter requires at least eight (16) screws.
You will need some sandpaper and sanding tools to remove burs and rough edges; and to prepare the shutters for finishing.
You will need enough of some kind of exterior-grade finishing product; whether stain, clear varnish/polyurethane, or paint, to give all your shutters at least two coats. Primer is recommended as well; but not necessarily a requirement.
You will need enough 2 1/2" #8 deck screws to attach all your shutters to your house. Each shutter requires at least four (4) screws.
Step 3

Make these simple wood shutters with vertical slats and horizontal cleats.

Cut and stack components:
Once you have picked up your materials, you can begin to cut and build your shutters. Follow this simple process:
Cut all your vertical slats to length, and put them aside in sets of four, for each shutter; keeping window 'pairs' together.
Cut all your horizontal cleats to length, and put them aside in sets of two, for each shutter; keeping them paired with each shutter. Each cleat should be long enough to span across your finished shutter size, including the gaps between the vertical slats. See also Assembly steps below.
Step 4

Assembly:
Once all the vertical slats and horizontal cleats are cut, stacked, and paired, you can begin to assemble them. Simply lay four vertical slats on a flat surface, lining them up against a straight-edge or other stop measure. Use scrap 1 x 4 spacers between the slats, to create equal gaps. Lay the two horizontal cleats on the vertical slats; perpendicular and flush with the outer edges of the shutter. Screw the horizontal cleats to the vertical slats with eight 1 1/4" deck screws. Flip the shutter over, and install eight more screws in the opposite direction, and placed diagonally from the screws on the opposite side, to ensure secure assembly.
Use your first shutter for each window size as a 'template' for the other shutters of the same size, and repeat the assembly process until you have all your shutters assembled.
Step 5

Sanding and finishing:
After all your shutters are assembled, sand them with medium grit sandpaper; preferably with a power sander. Remove all burs and sharp edges for a neat and comfortable look and feel.

After sanding, finish the shutters with your choice of exterior-grade product, and allow to dry thoroughly before trying to install them.
Step 6

Attach your wood shutters to the house with 2 1/2

Installation:
To install your wood shutters, you might need some assistance, as they can be a little awkward to hold onto while attempting to install a long screw.

Place each shutter so it lines up with the window top and bottom, and approximately 3/4" away from the window frame (or at your discretion; whatever looks appropriate); use a level to plumb the shutter vertically, then install four 2 1/2" #8 deck screws through the cleats and into the house.

Repeat this process for all shutters.

Comments

w1z111 said

Flag This Comment

on 9/27/2009 Hi moxihunt...
Wow! 19 sets! That's a lot of shutters! I'm glad this article was helpful. Got any pics of them you can post? lol
Thanks for the feedback; and I hope you enjoy your handiwork!

moxiehunt said

on 9/26/2009 Just finished and hung 19 pairs of board/batten that we made and what a fun worthwhile project. Thank you for
all the information. Just wanted you to know that they are easy to make and we have such a sense of accomplishment.