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Long time no see! It’s been a bit since I have hopped on here to write something. With life comes jobs, families, and just an overall lack of time to get things done. At least that’s how I feel lately.
While I haven’t been updating you all on here as often, I have been posting project progress on my Instagram – check me out!
But, since it has been a while, I figured I was overdue for posting another easy do it yourself project that you could probably tackle in a weekend if you have some time to set aside for it.
1. Material List
The materials I used for this project are:
- (6) 1 x 4 boards per window @ 8 feet
- (2) 1 x 3 boards per window @ 8 feet
- Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System
- Kreg Jig Pocket Hole Screws @ 1 1/4″
- Wood Glue
- Wood Filler
- Sanding Sponges (Medium-Fine grit)
- Finishing Nails
- C-Clamps
- Hammer Drill w/ Masonry Drill Bit Set
- Power Drill
- Hammer
- Concrete Anchors
- Exterior Paint
Now, I used pine boards, so we will see how they hold up in the hot Texas sun over the years!
2. Measure Your Windows
My windows were 71″ tall, and I wanted to match the shutters to the window length perfectly, so all of my 1×4 boards were to be cut at 71″.
3. Cut Your Materials
Cut your 1×4 boards to length for your particular windows. If you have longer windows, you may need additional 1×4 boards.
For the board and batten section, I really struggled. You guys – angles are not my thing.
Using the 1×3 boards, the horizontal pieces are easy – 12″ across, straight cuts.
The angled one, though? See below – I tried to dredge up my old math skills to figure out the length, which actually worked! But as far as the angle, I wish I knew then what I know now. It took several failed attempts, but I finally got to a 10 degree angle, 42 11/16″ long.
Want to know a seemingly obvious-in-hindsight trick I just now learned after building furniture and renovating for years? Just hold the piece up where you want it to fit, at the angle you want it to be at, and use a pencil to mark your cuts… so easy.
Thanks, Dad!
4. Assemble the Main Portion
Using the Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System, which conveniently you can just get on Amazon and have it arrive at your front door, adjust your drill guide block to match the thickness of the 1×4 board (3/4″). Adjust the stop collar on your Kreg Jig Drill Bit so that the “step” matches the material thickness – again, 3/4″. The step is the flat area right above the tip.
Drill your pocket holes so that the boards will join up to create the main portion of your shutter.
Using the 1 1/4″ pocket hole screw and wood glue, assemble each shutter.
5. Attach the Trim
With wood glue and C-Clamps, line the trim up approximately where you feel it would look best. I went with 12″ for my windows. Glue and clamp until dry so when you drive the nails in, the trim does not move.
When dry, use finishing nails to fasten to the main shutter. If there is any spacing between the joints of the trim, use wood filler to fill it up.
6. Prep for Paint
Use wood filler to fill in any blemishes or screw holes. Allow to dry before sanding the entire thing smooth.
7. Paint
Using your exterior paint (color of your choice!), paint all sides of the shutter. It may require more than one coat.
8. Attach to the Wall
Here is yet another helpful hint – it is REALLY great to have two people on this part. Doing this on your own is incredibly un-fun and frustrating.
Hold your shutter up where you would like it to hang. I hung my shutters right at the edge of the brick. With a pencil, mark the sides, because you will probably get tired holding it up and need a break – you need to know where it was sitting!
Attach the smallest masonry bit to your hammer drill. With the shutter held in place, drill your pilot holes through the shutter and into the brick – just a little bit – to mark where your holes should go.
Take the shutter down (your arms are enjoying this break) and with the smallest masonry bit, drill all the way through the brick/mortar. Read the directions carefully on your concrete anchors, because it will tell you the size of masonry bit you should use to prep for the anchors.
Step up your bit size to the size indicated on your concrete anchors and drill all the way through yet again, using your hammer drill.
When you have all of the holes drilled, hold the shutter up and fasten to the brick/exterior of your home. Once again – much better with two people!
Chances are, you will have marked up your shutters a little bit – new holes with the concrete anchors, slips with the hammer drill… you name it, it happened to me. Easy fix – touch up the paint!
Voila – beautiful shutters made by you for a fraction of the cost!
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