How to Build Wooden Window Shutters
Wooden window shutters are an easy, inexpensive way to dress up the exterior of your house. One simple design involves using intersecting strips of finish wood to form the shapes of the shutters, attaching them directly to the house surface next the windows, for a slightly rustic feel. Note: These instructions are for decorative shutters. Functional shutters, for protection from storms, should only be installed by professionals. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- 6 finish boards, 1-inch by 4-inch (cut longer than window size)
- 1 finish board, 8-foot 1-by-4
- Tri-square
- Circular saw
- Galvanized wood screws, 3/4-inch and 2-inch
- Screw gun
Instructions
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1
Measure the window height along the outside of the frame.
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2
Transfer the measurements to your six finish boards that are longer than the height of the window. Add 2 inches to the measurement on each board, and draw a line straight across the board with a tri-square. Cut each board at the line, using your circular saw.
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3
Measure your 8-foot finish board from one end, putting a mark every 11-1/2 inches (you're using the 8-foot board to make the shutter's shorter horizontal boards). Extend each mark across the board with your tri-square. Cut each line, so you end up with six pieces that are 11-1/2 inches long.
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4
Lay down three of the long cut boards, putting them face-up on a work bench (these are the shutter's vertical boards). The three pieces should have a 1/2-inch space between them. Find and mark the middle of the boards.
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5
Lay one of the short cut boards across the three long boards, perpendicular to them, at the middle, lining up the ends of the short board with the outer edges of the two long boards on either side.
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6
Sink two 3/4-inch galvanized screws through each of the three intersections between the short board and the three long boards.
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7
Repeat the process for the remaining two short boards, affixing one of them 4 inches from the top end of the long boards, and setting the other short board 4 inches from the bottom of the long boards. Repeat all the steps to construct the second shutter.
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8
Hang the shutters by holding them next to the window frame, with a half-inch gap between the edge of the shutter and the frame, then secure the shutter by driving 2-inch screws through the long boards and into the wall at four points (two top, two bottom).
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Tips & Warnings
Although "1-by-4" is the lumber term used for boards, they are actually 3/4" by 3-1/2." The actual measurement for the lumber term "2-by-4" also is smaller.
You can paint the shutters once they’re installed, but it’s easier to pre-paint the boards before installation. Then, just touch them up with extra paint as needed after they’re installed.
