How Can I Remove My Exterior Vinyl Window Shutters?

Vinyl shutters are one way to accentuate your home and add curb appeal. Although vinyl shutters are durable, they are still susceptible to damage. Vinyl shutters attach to the wall with plastic shutter locks. Shutter locks resemble a plastic bolt with a ribbed stem. The stem grabs into the hole in the wall for a secure fit. Removing the exterior vinyl shutters require cutting the shutter lock stems. You must use new shutter locks to reattach the shutters.

Things You'll Need

• Stepladder
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Tin snips
• Drill with 1/4-inch masonry bit
• Silicone caulk
• Caulking gun

Instructions

1. Set a stepladder under one of the vinyl shutters. Look for the stem of the shutter lock between the shutter and the wall. Insert the blade end of a chisel against one of the bottom shutter locks. Tap the chisel handle with a hammer to cut through the shutter lock stem. Go to the opposite side of the shutter and cut through the bottom shutter lock in the same way.

2. Pull the bottom of the shutter away from the wall enough that you can access the center shutter locks, with an assistant pulling the shutter. Cut the center shutter locks on both sides of the shutter with the chisel and hammer.

3. Remove the two upper shutter locks with the chisel. Ask your helper to lift the shutter away from the wall. Cut the shutter lock stems flush to the wall with tin snips.

4. Drill the remaining shutter lock out of the wall with a 1/4-inch masonry bit. Fill each hole in the wall left by the shutter locks with silicone caulk, using a caulking gun. Repeat the process for the shutter on the opposite side of the window.

References

• ShutterContractor.com: Removing Exterior Vinyl Shutters That Are Installed with Shutter-Loks
• DecorativeShutters.com: Installation Guidelines and Recommendations