QA

How To Make Exterior Window Shutters

How do you make decorative shutters for exterior windows?

What kind of wood do you use to make shutters?

Cedar is the most common material for construction of exterior shutters because of its resistance to both insects and decay. It is a straight wood that finishes very well and can withstand harsh outdoor conditions well.

What kind of wood do you use for board and batten shutters?

Western Red Cedar is the most common material for building exterior board and batten shutters in the industry. Cedar has many of the same qualities as Redwood, yet is less dense, making it easier to sand and finish.

What style are board and batten shutters?

Board and Batten styled shutters are usually found on Cape Cod, Salt Box, Mission or French Country styled homes having a rock, stucco or siding façade. Board and Batten also work effectively in dressing down a traditional brick home, giving the building a more relaxed look.

Can you make shutters out of pine?

Pine shutters are built from Southern Yellow Pine. Yellow Pine works fairly well with machine or hand tools, although resin in wood has a tendency to gum up cutting edges and can present challenges with gluing.

What are exterior shutters made of?

Exterior window shutters come in four basic types: paneled, louvered, board and batton (sometimes called BnB) and Bermuda. They are available in a variety of materials including MDF (medium density fiber), vinyl, synthetic foam, faux wood and wood. Basswood is the most popular wood for shutters.

How thick should wood shutters be?

Thickness, Width, Height Our default standard thickness is 1 5/16″, but that can be varied from 7/8″ to 2 1/4″ to match existing exterior shutters. The length and height can be specified to the nearest 1/16″ inch.

Can you use untreated wood for shutters?

There are definitely more than one way to construct and hang shutters – I am simply sharing how we did it! Supplies needed to build shutters: Untreated Pine (we used 1.5 inch thick pine wood for the backboards and 3/4 inch thick pine for the cross board)Sep 21, 2016.

Is MDF good for shutters?

MDF is a much cheaper material than “real” wood, and therefore MDF shutters cost much less than wooden shutters. The robustness of MDF window shutters also make them particularly suitable for playroom or children rooms. MDF shutters are less prone to dent and scratches.

Should shutters be the same size as the window?

For the most authentic look, we recommend measuring only the window opening not including any frame or trim around it. Typically, the width of your shutters should be half of your total window width. Keep in mind that the shutters should look like if they could close to cover the window.

How wide should board and batten shutters be?

Building Board and Batten Shutters Go ahead and cut all of your boards to length on a miter saw, and then make any rips that you need to accommodate the width of your window. Each batten will run diagonally across the boards and should be just shy of the width of your shutter.

Are board and batten shutters popular?

Existing on historical cottages, European homes, and early American colonials for centuries, these classic shutters continue to be a popular choice, especially when the homeowner wants to create a rustic or modern farmhouse feel.

How wide should board and batten be?

The battens should butt tightly against the top trim board and be flush at the bottom with the wider vertical boards. While the width of the battens is your choice, they should be wide enough to overlap the edges of the larger boards by at least ½ inch on both sides.

How many boards board and batten shutters?

Depending on the size, you’ll want to use two or three boards to make up the shutter body. For my rather large window openings, I needed 21 inches of shutter per side. This was best made up of three 1″ X 8″’s ripped to a combined dimension of 21 inches. I took off about 1/2″ from each board.

How much do board and batten shutters cost?

Prices Starting at $80.00 Standard and Heavy-duty Board and Batten window shutters are of exceptional value and beauty.

How long will pine exterior shutters last?

The takeaway: Wood shutters are relatively long-lasting AND they can be repainted. Generally speaking, you may get anywhere from 10 to 20+ years out of use out of your shutters. However, they are more vulnerable to rot, termites and moisture damage comparatively.

Is pressure treated wood good for shutters?

Pressure treated wood for this purpose would not do well IMHO. If you milled it you would lose most of the decay resistance qualities. And even if you didn’t, it would be very prone to warpage unless you were able to find some #1 select with no knots.

Do I need to seal wood shutters?

Use an adhesive exterior caulking sealant to secure the cap to the top of the shutter and to weatherproof. Exterior wood shutters must be primed before they are painted. Applying exterior latex paint to your wood shutters will ensure that they do not chalk or fade as they would with an oil-based paint.

What are the four types of shutters?

Exterior window shutters come in four basic types: paneled, louvered, board and batton (sometimes called BnB) and Bermuda.

What material should my shutters be?

For the majority of people, powder-coated aluminum shutters are the best option for their home. After that, wood (preferably Cedar) is a good choice depending on your climate. For budget-friendly options, check out higher-quality wood composites.

What is polymer shutters?

Housing an aluminium core that provides increased strength and durability, these blades won’t crack, split, chip or warp. Allure Polymer Shutters have the aesthetic appearance of real wood, they’re fire retardant and are made from a solid, non-toxic, recyclable material.

What are basswood shutters?

Basswood shutters are a natural product built to bring warmth and character to fine homes. Like marble baths, granite countertops, oak floors and fine wool rugs, basswood shutters are deep and rich materials that create an authenticity and sense of permanence synthetic materials cannot duplicate.