Monday, September 28, 2015

We DIY'ed Outdoor Shutters !

Good Morning everyone !

Out of guess what?
Fence Planks ( home depot must think we live on a ranch with acres of property to be fenced in )
Thankfully the one thing this house did have was a fenced in yard - in pretty good shape - so we haven't used one of them for their actual purpose lol


We've used them for our faux fireplace ( HERE )


I added them to a frame in a guest room ( HERE )


The kitchen island ( HERE )


A christmas tree ( HERE )


Made built ins in the den ( HERE )


And a plank wall that I can't find the post for.....................

And now?
DIY Outdoor Shutters !
These things are so expensive store bought....................we paid a lot of money for them 2 houses ago - just one pair cost over 300.00 and that was at least 10 years ago - I can't imagine what they charge today.
We made 2 sets for next to nothing !

Each shutter took 2 planks - that's it ............... ( 3 would be more substantial but these front windows lead to the enclosed porch and the wall is not large so 2 were perfect for this project ) cut to the size of the window with the excess being used on the top and bottom to hold them together AND THAT'S IT !


I painted them black ( after painting the frame of the windows black - as well as the grid work )
Can I tell you that I will never wash these windows again?  They HAVE to be replaced - and anyone with old aluminium windows will know exactly what I'm talking about  - it took me hours and hours to get it done - they stick -they jam - they wobble - they're a.w.f.u.l. - BUT they do look somewhat better painted.
We haven't had much time to work on the front of the house - and it desperately needs work so I'm thrilled we've started !
Here's a close up of what they looked like


Isn't that U. G. L. Y  ( they ain't go no alibi ) ?
It was a sunny day working on them ( but a little crisp - Fall is here in Montreal  let me tell you ! ) and perfect drying weather



I painted the shutters ( and window frames ) with Behr Premium Ultra - Paint & Primer in one - exterior with a satin finish..............although I use Behr for all interior work I've never used it for outside - so I'm hoping it's a paint that endures..................


If you buy an old house here's a little advice you can take to the bank..................( well maybe don't take it to the bank or they'll never agree to you buying it in the first place - so maybe just take it to heart )
Measure each window - and each side of each window - do not make a template and cut them all down equally - even if every window looks the same.................you can't assume one side will be the same as the other - all 4 of these shutters are slightly different sizes - they did things differently back in the day lol !


Every job we start with this dump house I end up wondering what on earth I could ever have been thinking of - and then when it's finished I think...................." all it needs is love - da da da - all it needs is love love - love is all it needs "


And fence planks.


Such a cost effective way to implement big change, no?
( I should mention that I gave the front a fresh coat of white paint too )

AFFORDABLE DIY SHUTTERS

Now I have to finish the other side - and then the 2 side windows - and then all the rest of them -
only about - oh - 24 shutters to make..............
Still it's getting less and less embarrassing to come home !!!

EXTERIOR SHUTTERS FOR 10.00 A WINDOW

And I'm not even sure what's made the biggest impact - the paint - the shutters - or the fact that the windows finally were washed -  all I know is that these shutters cost aprox. 10.00 per window..................( we had to buy the masonry screws and the bit to go with it so a little more for us -  but we now have enough for all the windows )
Never has 10.00 gone so far ( with our home reno's anyway ! )
Each Cedar ( treated ) plank cost 2.50 - each shutter took 2 planks ( including the cross pieces )

BEFORE & AFTER WINDOW WITH DIY SHUTTERS

Have a wonderful day everyone !
Enjoy the Fall weather you've all been anxiously awaiting !
( I'm still wishing it was hot - the swimming pool is taunting me mercilessly )
And I've got to wash the windows on the other side - and paint them - and install shutters !
Hugs,
Me


LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                            COASTAL CHARM
SAND & SISAL                                                     A STROLL THRU LIFE
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT                      MEMORIES BY THE MILE
AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY                                      KATHE WITH AN E
HOME STORIES A TO Z                                             FEARLESSLY CREATIVE MAMAS
FLUSTER BUSTER                                                       SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
REMODELAHOLIC                                                      THE CRAFTED SPARROW
MISS TOODY GOO SHOES                                        FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS
ONE MORE TIME EVENTS                                         LIFE ON LAKESHORE DRIVE
DIY SHOWOFF                                                            REDHEAD CAN DECORATE
DWELLINGS - THE HEART OF YOUR HOME          THAT'S WHAT CHE SAID
KEEPING IT SIMPLE                                                    CARRIE THIS HOME
MY SALVAGED TREASURES                                     LEHMAN LANE
I GOTTA CREATE                                                         LAMBERTS LATELY
LIVE LAUGH ROWE                                                     THE DEDICATED HOUSE
GRACE & GOOD EATS

50 comments:

  1. Wow, Suzan, what a HUGE transformation with just that action. I can totally see a big, big change - so sharp, so neat. I hope your paint endures the way you want it to. Really nice improvement!

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    1. Thanks so much Rita - I'm thrilled with them ! ( hope the paint endures too - but if it doesn't it's just paint, right? )
      XOXO

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  2. What a big improvement. And all they needed was the Beatles!!

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    1. AND a little help from their friends Mary LOL !!!
      Thanks so much !
      xox

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  3. You have got to be kidding me! Head on over to my place to check out what we did this weekend. http://katietreasures.blogspot.com/2015/09/our-new-exterior-shutters.html
    I love your shutters!
    Katie

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  4. Love this idea, Suzan. Our lake house is a farm house style and is in need of new shutters. This looks easy enough that I could do it. My husband won't let me use power tools, though. So, I would need his help, but still......I love this!!! And, I need a bench like yours to sit at my entryway. Sooo cute!

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  5. Anything with a shutter is perfection to me!

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  6. What a difference that makes. The black looks fabulous there, too. 30 years ago I made similar shutters but (of course) I cut hearts out of the middle of each one!

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  7. I love your new shutters. You are the queen of thrift, Suzan. :) They look so nice and really frame the windows. I like the black grids too. What a difference! We're getting a taste of summer temperatures here today and tomorrow -- 24C. Have a great week!

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  8. The new shutters look fabulous! Really made a huge impact! Love all of your projects created with the planks! Glad you included them, since I'm new to your blog! :) Your home is beautiful! ~Rhonda

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    1. Thanks Rhonda !
      This home needs SO much more work - seriously - SO much more !
      But we've come quite a distance since we purchased it at least :)
      XOXO

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  9. Now that is an awesome post, classy and cheap at the same time...great job, Sandi

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    1. Thanks so much Sandi !!!
      I keep going outside to look at them LOL
      xox

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    2. Your shutters really do pack a punch and add a lot of curb appeal.

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  10. What a difference $10 makes!! They look great!
    Clever you to come up with such a pretty AND inexpensive solution ~

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  11. The shutters are gorgeous as is every single one of your plank creations! My mouth hung open as I gasped at the beauty of that fireplace!! Crushing on the framed planks too! You are so very creative and talented, love it all so much!

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    1. Thanks SO much Gigi ! They make such a difference out there !
      xox

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  12. You just put a huge smile on your house with those shutters!!! They look fantastic and I am sure your home loves you for all of the love you have shown it - because we all know that houses have feeling too ! :)

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  13. They look absolutely wonderful! Your home looks like a charming place to walk up to and ring the bell!

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  14. Wow, talk about bang for your buck! Huge difference between before and after Suzan. Re: aluminum windows...oh my gosh, we've been living in this house for 17 years with crap aluminum windows. But get this, the previous owners (my uncle) decided to install triple pane glass on each window...LITERALLY. We're talking 6 panes of crap aluminum per window! Every Spring and Fall on window cleaning day the entire neighborhood could hear the crazy lady at #40 using very colorful language! Last year they were all replaced with vinyl and you could see me doing the happy dance all over my front yard. I think I even sang out loud on window cleaning day!

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  15. Wow Suzan these are wonderful. They really make a big difference. WOW!!! Love this.
    Kris

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  16. I think they look great! Kudos to you all.
    Sheila E

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  17. Oh, the change are huge, Suzan. It looks fantastic.
    Hugs from here

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  18. You are a force to be reckoned with! I need you here, desperately, to get my reno finished! Absolutely love your shutters, everything looks so pretty and fresh. Just love it, crisp and clean. Good luck with the other ones, I hope the weather is good for you. xo Patty

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    1. I'm not really a force at all Patty - or we'd be finished this house by now LOL.
      But thanks so much - I kind of love them too - or the look of them I should say.
      Rain here for the next couple of days so works has come to a halt :(
      xoxo

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  19. Beautiful job! What a huge difference it made...what will you make next??? Spectacular DIY and HUGE savings.
    How's sweetie pie Evan doing?
    xoxo, T.

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  20. You've got some dandy looking products here!! And LOL about the Keurig, I just read that post too. :)

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  21. Oh my word, you've done it again! I LOVE these! Wonder if I can talk Bruce into making some for the farmhouse....
    Ok, painting the frame and grids made a huge difference in how those windows look. They're fabulous!!!
    Hugs,
    Cecilia

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  22. What an amazing transformation, the Windows look great! You are a magician with fence planks and some paint😀.
    Pat

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Pat !
      Have fence planks will renovate LOL
      XOXO

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  23. This is exactly what i'be been trying to get my honey to do, but it looks like it's all up to me!! You have made a wonderful difference and i want to feel the way you do when you go home and see your shutters.

    Did you tell how you hung them on the walls? If you did, I missed it. And couldn't tell from the photos. Suggestions welcome. I wonder if screws in my cedar siding would let in water or cause any other problems. And if screws are used, is it a big deal to cover the heads or will it look odd, do you think, to just paint them and forget them?
    Please give us this vital missing link info. So tomorrow I can order enough planks to do the front sets of the 24 sets I'll need.
    Even I should be able to measure and cut these (fingers crossed).
    Thanks again for another great post.

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    Replies
    1. Hey Marje !
      First of all thanks so much - secondly we just screwed them in - we had to use a tap con bit to get through the stucco and then screwed them all the way to back which is wood. When we bought the store ones years ago we had to attach them with screws as well - I don't know of any other way ..........
      If you measure the sizes you'll need first you can have them cut at Home Depot ! We bought treated lumber for durability and because I didn't want to have to paint the backs of them !
      Good luck
      & hugs........

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  24. Awesome transformation....and for 10.00 per window? Wow! Don't be too hard on yourself
    about the slower reno on the front......it will get there.....It will be grand!

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    1. Thanks SO much - now I think I've thrown it all off by painting the front door red..............dilemmas - one after the other it would seem LOL
      xox

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  25. Your window looks great Suzan, what a difference and for so little money! Great job!

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  26. Absolutely Fab-U- Lous!
    When you first mentioned that you where going to make shutters, I thought to myself; ' knowing Suzan, she will be making them from plank boards to co-inside with the rest of her plank projects.'
    Made a world of difference on the window and the front of your home. I can almost imagine what it will look like once all the windows are finished.
    Great job Suzan. John, you deserve a big pat on the back as well.
    Have a great day and enjoyable weekend

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  27. Looks wonderful. I love the color choice as well.
    Carla

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  28. Oh my goodness! More magic from CREATIVE Suzan! Your shutters are loverly! I just love shutters and yours turned out great! The windows look a lot nicer than without shutters! You were born with a very artistic talent!
    Love,
    Ethel/Laura/Hazel

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  29. Wow, this looks so great!!! I think it could win Best Home Improvement Award of all time! LOVE!

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  30. Unbelievable mirror in the guest room! And what you've done to the window is simply amazing! I'm currently thinking of a window replacement and I hope you won't mind if I take few ideas from this blog)

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  31. I love the shutters and the Christmas Tree! Very cute!

    Have a great day.
    Pam

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  32. Love it. The white and black with the green is wonderful. You are surely going to have a fantastic home when you get through. Always love seeing what you're up to.

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  33. Oh I love the bird shadow pillows you have! I need to get me some of those! Thank you for linking up with us at the Tips & Tricks Link Party! I hope to see you back tonight!

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    1. Thanks so much Gabby - I've had those pillows for years now !!!
      xox

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  34. The window looks twice as big now, what a great idea and so thrifty too. Love all your projects. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

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  35. My oh my...I would never have imagined so many diy creations! They are all amazing!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY.
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  36. HUGE difference, Suzan! You have a beautiful house, and who knew a fence post could look so good?! Ok, I just have to ask though .... is that the haunted bench that's been placed back outside?! ;) .... well, it is October after all! :D Cynthia

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    1. Thanks Cynthia !!!
      No the haunted bench is in the porch - I left it outside for almost 2 winters - the ghost didn't like Montreal winters LMHO!!!
      XOXO

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  37. What a great idea! Your home looks so pretty! Love the flowers and bench!

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    1. Thanks so much Kathy !
      It's an improvement anyway !
      xox

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Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo