Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO MAKING DECORATIVE SHUTTERS
Bring country chic to your timber-framed windows with affordable and easy-to-build shutters.
Gather your supplies
• 116 x 18mm 5.4m primed pine (2)
• 200mm strap hinge brackets (2)
• Black spray paint
• Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in white
You’ll also need Tape measure; combination square; pencil; mitre saw; orbital sander; 80-grit sandpaper; PVA glue; spacers; hammer; flat head nails; nap roller; paintbrush; hacksaw; file; drill and bits; wall fixings
Safety notes
When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask, earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear gloves and protective clothing.
Here’s how
STEP 1 Measure the height of your window frame and adjust the components (see list below left) to customise. Measure, mark and cut all components with tape measure, combination square, pencil and mitre saw. Sand and round off all sawn edges with orbital sander. Remove dust.
STEP 2 Lay 3 Boards across 2 parallel Battens. Insert 5mm spacers
between the Boards, and adjust Battens so the edges are 150mm in from both ends of the Boards.
STEP 3 Hammer 2 flat head nails in diagonal pattern through both ends of all Boards and into Battens.
STEP 4 Repeat Steps 2-3 to assemble the second window shutter.
STEP 5 With a nap roller and paintbrush, apply 2 coats of Weathershield Low Sheen paint to both shutters. Paint your window frame in the same paint to match. Allow to dry after each coat.
STEP 6 To modify strap hinge brackets, use a hacksaw to separate into 2 components and trim off the hinge connector. File rough edges, then apply black spray paint to all hinge parts and allow to dry. STEP 7 Lay hinges centred and flush to edges of Battens, then mark up holes for all hinges. Drill through the 2 outermost marks to make wall fixing holes.
STEP 8 To hang a shutter, line up along edge of window frame with 30mm spacers between shutter and window frame. Drill through assembly holes and into stud or brick, then use appropriate fixings to attach to your walls. Repeat for opposite side of window.
STEP 9 Predrill and attach modified hinges to shutters to hide fixing screws.