Homemade Window Shutters

Building homemade exterior window shutters should not be undertaken yourself if you live in an area where the weather requires that windows be protected. But decorative shutters, which hang to the sides of each window and do not close or move, can be made with a few simple materials. Make sure the side of the house where you plan to install the shutters is clean and dry before you begin.

Things You'll Need

• For each window (makes 2 shutters):
• Tape measure
• 6 finished boards, 1x4-inch (longer than the height of the window)
• Another 1x4-inch finished board (8 feet)
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Framing square
• Miter saw
• 3/4-inch screws
• 2-inch screws
• Screw gun

Instructions

1. Measure the window frame from top to bottom. Use your miter saw to cut six finished boards to that exact measurement.

2. Paint the cut boards on all sides.

3. Use your miter saw to cut the remaining 8-foot board into six pieces, making each piece 11 1/2 inches long. Paint the pieces on all sides. Let all painted pieces dry.

4. Lay three of the six window-length boards next to each other, sitting parallel and half an inch apart. Lay three short boards over them, perpendicular to them, at the middle and both ends. Line up the ends of the short boards with the outer sides of the long boards. (Note: 1x4-inch boards are actually 3 1/2 inches across, so the 11 1/2-inch boards should line up correctly over them.)

5. Screw the boards together by sinking two of your 3/4-inch screws in at each intersection of the boards.

6. Repeat the process to build the second shutter.

7. Mount the shutters alongside the two outer vertical edges of the window frame, placing the long boards against the exterior wall and driving one 2-inch screw into each corner of each shutter.

References

• WoodShopTips: Building Shutters.