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I have always wanted to buy plantation shutters for my house. During the lock down, I tried to get quotes for the shutters, with one quote I had to sketch and email my sizes. However during this difficult time, I had no luck in getting any quotes.
One of my friends had plantation shutters installed in her house, they looked great, this is why I was going to get mine done. As time went by, I had an idea to make my own. I knew it would be a huge task, especially the louvres. I did see solid panel shutters on line, so I decided to make my own.
I was going to start with a simple one first, but I thought go with all at once, for three bedrooms. One of the bedrooms has a bay window, and being an old house, everything is out of square.
I started this project at the end of February 2023, now I'm getting close to the end. The bay window is nearly complete, just need to add handles, as yet not sure on style of handles to use.
I do suggest that if anyone decides to make something similar, make sure you select straight timber for the shutters, to prevent and warped panels.
Cost for materials for three windows was just over $1,000.
Materials
- (DAR)Dressed all round select grade/premium pine 64mm x 19mm for the shutter doors.
- (DAR)Dressed all round select grade/premium pine 42mmx19mm
- 6mm MDF ( Its cheaper to buy a large sheet) Bunnings will cut to size if required, a big thank you to Bunnings at west Footscray.
- 20mm x 12mm dressed pine.
- Pocket hole screws for the frame work.
- Wood glue, I used Titebond glue
- Sandpaper 120 grit and 240 grit
- Paint brush and 4mm micro fibre mini roller
- Undercoat ( 2 coats)
- Satin finish paint (white) (3 coats)
- 75mm zinc coated hinges ( couldn't find white coloured)
- ones).
- 6g x 20mm zinc countersunk screws.
- 6g x 25mm zinc countersunk screws.
- Magnetic catches.
- Handles ( to be added).
- White countersunk screws for door stop timber
Tools
- Square/ combination square
- Mitre saw
- Hand saw
- 125mm sander
- Pocket hole jig ( Kreg)
- Screw driver for pocket hole screws
- Clamps, various sizes.
- Table saw
- Router Table
- Router bits ( to cut stile and rails for shutters)
- Level or laser level.
Steps
Step 1
Measure you window size, allow for any out of square frame of window. then work out how much material is required, I bought mine from Bunnings, just make sure you select straight timber.
Make your frames for each window, cut, drill pocket holes, glue and screw together.
Step 2
Once the framework glue has dried, check for fit in your windows.
Step 3
When you are happy with the fit, you can start making the shutter panels, cut all material to size , ready for routing the stile and rails, dry fit together, then cut the mdf insert to fit each shutter, when ready and checked, glue and clamp together.
Step 4
Sand and undercoat shutters ( 2 coats). When dried, install hinges, I used 3 hinges for each shutter.
Step 5
Fit each panel to window, make sure its square and level.
When checked and fitted, remove hinges and finish paint all framework and shutters.
Step 6
Refit hinges and install your shutters.
Step 7
Cut, paint and install the door stops, 12mm x 20mm, I used white screws.
Step 8
Install magnetic catches.
Step 9
Next step, is the handles.
Another great project @JoeAzza!
Your shutters suit your space very well and they look like a pro did them. How did you get such a nice paint finish? In your last step, you mentioned you were going to add some handles, what style are you thinking? Would love to see what they look like when they are on.
Well done.
Katie
