How to Install House Shutters

House shutters decorate any window. You can choose wood to match your moldings and trim. Shutters work well with any decorating scheme. You can redecorate, buy new furniture, or install carpet or wood floors and the shutters will still match. A traditional window shutter has louvers (slats) that you can control with the tilting wand, and shutter panels open for an unobstructed view.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Level
• Drill
• Shutter kit

Instructions

Install House Shutters

1. Hold the shutters up to the window. The panels should cover the window so the hanging strip overlaps the outside of the window. The hanging strip allows the shutters to hang from outside the window, like an outside mount for a window blind. Use a pencil to mark the top and outside of the hanging strip. The distance from the window depends on the size of the window and the shutters. In general, the hanging strip will overlap with the inch or two just outside the window.

2. Take the hinge pins out of the hanging strip and remove the strip from the shutter panels.

3. Hold the strips to the window and trace the holes on the wall next to the window. Drill holes.

4. Insert the screws through the holes in the strips and tighten them.

5. Reattach the panels to the hanging strips by inserting the hinge pins. The hinge pins hook onto the hinge pin hook on the hanging strip.

6. Install one magnetic catch to each bottom and top corner of the shutter panels. If you're using magnetic catches with screws, you'll need to drill the holes for the screws before you can install the catches. Once the holes are in place, tighten the screws.

7. Cover the screws with button plugs.

8. Open the panels to check for clearance. If they're installed properly, they will not swing into any furniture nearby. Make sure the panels are tight and secure.

References

• "Simply the Best Home Decorating Book"; Simplicity Pattern Co.; 1993