Weekend Warriors Project: DIY Window Shutters

DIY board and batten window shutters are a cost-effective and achievable way to add interest, design, and functionality to your home. The even better news is that this can be a one-weekend, do-it-yourself project that won’t break the bank. Your neighbors will wonder how you changed the look of your home so quickly!

You may not live in Cape Cod, but you can have those gorgeous window shutters on your home in just a weekend with this simple DIY! Window shutters can be decorative or functional. Functional shutters serve to protect against the elements, there are even special shutters if you live in an area where storms occur. Others help regulate the temperature in your home in the extreme heat of summer or in the cold winter months to cut down on your electric bill! You can also install interior shutters in your home that add beauty and offer privacy.

Different Types of Exterior Shutters

• Paneled shutters can be raised or flat. Raised panels offer a more decorative design, while flat paneled shutters are more minimal in style. Both types of shutters can block sunlight and offer added protection to your windows.
• Louvered shutters are very popular. They have overlapping slanted slats that block light and provide privacy, yet they allow some air to pass through your windows when they are open. Louvered shutters can work as exterior or interior shutters.
• Bermuda shutters come in many different materials including MDF (medium-density fiberboard), vinyl, and wood. These shutters are only attached to the tops of your windows and not on the side. They have slotted openings and can be pushed open at the bottom allowing a breeze to pass through.
• Board and Batten shutters are your classic shutter look. They are made from three vertical boards which are fastened together by two smaller horizontal boards on the front. They are stronger than the other options, so they offer more protection. They have a more casual look, and these shutters are the easiest to build yourself.

Different Types of Interior Shutters

• Café shutters cover just the bottom half of the window and provide privacy, light, and a generous outside view. Café shutters come in composite, wood, or polymer. They can be stained or painted to complement any décor and can be combined with a valance or short curtains.
• Shaker shutters are made from flat, solid panels that can cover the entire window. They come in wood or composite, and you can paint or stain them also. Because shaker shutters are made of one large panel, rather than individual slats, they will not allow light to pass through windows. They can also be exterior or interior shutters.
• Tracked interior shutters are attached to a track at the top and bottom of the window, so that they can be folded completely back, exposing the full window and allowing for an unobstructed outside view. They are a great option for bi-fold doors and large windows.
• Tier on Tier shutters consist of two separate units of shutters - one on top and one on the bottom. The advantage these shutters offer is that you can open or close the top or bottom or both depending on your preference.
• Plantation shutters are distinguished by their large louvers, which give a distinctive look that can blend with any décor. These slats can be 2.5” to 5” wide, which provide a more extensive outside view. Plantation shutters are usually mounted the full height and cover the window completely with just one panel.

Window Shutter Materials

There are many different materials to choose from for window shutters including wood, composite or faux wood, and vinyl to name a few.

Wood is a traditional material which is also very versatile. You can leave wood unfinished for a farmhouse look, stain it, and add decorative nail heads for a more rustic look, or you can paint it for a more colonial look. Wood does require maintenance, however, as stained or painted wood will need to be refinished periodically. Cedar boards and treated lumber are naturally rot resistant making them an ideal choice for outdoor use. McCoy’s offers fence pickets and dimensional lumber, both of which are very durable choices.

Composite or faux wood is made from a combination of wood and other materials such as PVC. The advantages of composite wood are that it looks like wood from a distance, is more durable, and requires less maintenance. While it is also less expensive, it does not offer the authentic look of real wood upon closer inspection.

Vinyl is another material you can use for window shutters. It is made of PVC and is less resistant to deterioration, yet it does look like plastic, and therefore does not offer the timeless elegance that more traditional wood shutters do. However, if this is preferable for your project, the upside is that vinyl shutters require little-to-no maintenance.

Board and batten shutters offer a traditional look that is easy to build yourself. They can be fully functional, able to close and cover the windows, or just decorative.

Supplies:

• Treated or cedar 1x6s for the vertical boards (3 boards per shutter)
• Treated or cedar 1x4s for the horizontal battens (2 per shutter)
• Spacers to set boards
• C clamp
• Brad nail gun and nails
• Wood Glue
• Sand paper & paint or wood stain (if painting or staining your shutters)
• Hammer
• Drill
• Masonry Screw (if attaching to brick) or hinges

Tip: Depending on the size of your windows and the desired effect, you could construct your shutters with leftover or reclaimed fence pickets or even pallets.

Instructions:

1. Measure- To find the width of shutter, measure between the windows’ side casings, divide by two, and subtract 1/2 inch for clearance. Then, to find the width of the boards, subtract 1/8 inch for each gap and divide by the number of boards—three in our case. To find the shutter's height, measure between the head casing and sill and subtract 1/2 inch for clearance. If your shutters are only decorative, you can simply use three 1x6s for each side of the window measured and cut to the window's height.
2. Cut- Cut three 1x6s the height you measured in step one for your shutters. Then cut two pieces of 1×4s for the battens. Their length will be the total width of shutter (You will need three boards and two battens for each side of the window shutters.) Interested in this project but need some help cutting your boards? Ask your store what cutting options they might be able to provide.
3. Assemble- For each individual shutter, line up three of the 1x6s once they are cut to size. Place two spacers in between each 1x6 and clamp all three boards together with a C clamp. Spacers can simply be leftover plywood pieces or a wooden paint stick. Then measure 11” or 12” up from each end of the shutter for the batten placement and glue down the battens. Then use the nail gun to secure the battens to the boards.
4. Paint or Stain- You can leave the boards a natural finish, or you can paint or stain them. If you choose to add color, make sure you sand the boards first, so the color adheres better to the boards.
5. Hang- If your shutters are simply decorative, attach them to your house next to the windows, using masonry screws for brick. We can help you select which hardware you need to attach your shutters. If your shutters will be functional, you will need to attach the shutters to the house with a hinge that allows them to close. One of our experts can help you choose hardware for your project.

Ready to get started on your next DIY? McCoy's has all you need for the perfect board and batten shutters along with any other DIY to enhance your curb appeal. Easily shop online to get what you need to get back to building.