How to Build Plantation Shutters

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Plantation shutters are simple indoor shutters that block sunlight and provide a decorative touch to windows. Composed of several horizontal slats, or 'louvers,' a central 'tilt bar' that controls the movement of the louvers, two vertical stiles and two horizontal rails. Plantation shutters vary in size, shape and functionality. The steps below will teach you how to build plantation shutters by installing simple flat louvers within a shutter panel to be mounted onto a window frame.

Steps

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  1. [1]
    • Begin with the four planks that will serve as the shutter frame. Your shutter frame should be about .25 inches (or .6 cm) narrower than the window frame.
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  4. The length of the louvers should be 1/16th inch narrower than the opening between the two vertical stiles. The nylon louver pins that support the louvers inside the frame have a washer that is molded into the pin and is 1/32 inch in thickness. These washers prevent the lovers from contacting the inside edges of the stile resulting in smooth action. How many louvers you use depends on the size of the louvers and panel height.
  5. If starting from scratch, remember to leave room to securely attach pins with glue at either end of the louvers. Flat louvers are typically 2.5 3.5 or 4.5 inches in width.
  7. The louvers should overlap by 1/4 inch. Take great care to line up the markings on either side of the frame so that the louvers will sit flat.
  8. [2]
  9. If you're having trouble getting the louvers in, drill the holes a bit deeper.
  10. A wooden dowel that can swivel easily is ideal.
  13. [3]
  15. [4]
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  • Question
    Where can I find shutter molding to make plantation shutters?
    Community Answer
    The type you can get depends on where you live. Larger cities will have more options for you. Home stores, specialty lumber yards, and even your local lumber yard will have what you want or will be able to order it for you.
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      Tips

      • If making shutters for a larger window or a series of windows, use several panels of shutters. Follow the instructions above for each panel and attach the panels by gluing or screwing their frames together.
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      • Many people prefer elliptical or tapered louvers to flat louvers. These louvers function the same as flat louvers. Fabricating elliptical louvers will require a moulding machine and moulding knives ground to profile.
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      • Indoor shutters look much nicer when stained or painted. You can paint the individual louvers after Step 6 or stain the whole shutter frame after Step 14.
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      Warnings

      • Accurate measurements are essential to well-functioning shutters, especially at Step 7. Re-check your measurements after installing a louver or two and make sure they overlap as you want.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Wood louvers
      • Nylon louver pins or small wood dowels
      • Two wood Rails
      • Two wood Stiles
      • Wood dowels or screws
      • Tape measure
      • Saw
      • Drill
      • Shutter staples or threaded eyelets
      • Shutter Hinges

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      References

      1. ↑ https://extremehowto.com/how-to-measure-for-window-replacement/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bgpMxz-uv0
      3. ↑ https://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/how-to-build-custom-wood-plantation-shutters-blinds/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR_A5a7Ay7c
      5. http://www.allaboutshutters.com/how-to-make-shutters.htm
      6. https://woodgears.ca/pantorouter/louver.html

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