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 )

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 !!!

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 )

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


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MISS TOODY GOO SHOES                                        FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS
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DIY SHOWOFF                                                            REDHEAD CAN DECORATE
DWELLINGS - THE HEART OF YOUR HOME          THAT'S WHAT CHE SAID
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