DIY Network

Desperate Landscape: Creating a Garden Spot on Garden Road New shutters, a white picket fence and a generous helping of new plantings puts new sparkle on a diamond-in-the rough. From "Desperate Landscapes" episode DDSL-106

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Remove Old Shutters

We first removed the existing vinyl shutters. These were in fairlly good condition (except that one was missing!), but they're not a good match for the house.

Important: Don't throw good quality building materials in the trash, you might be able to donate them to Habitat for Humanity. The organization runs ReStores which sell quality used and surplus building supplies at a discount. Proceeds from sales help fund Habitat for Humanity projects. To find a ReStore near you, go to www.habitat.org.

The old shutters

Traditional board-and-batten style shutters

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Build New Shutters

Jason's plan calls for Board-and-batten style shutters which will better complement the style of the house.

Board-and-batten shutters basically consist of three vertical boards secured by two horizontal battens. This style was popular many years ago, but it is making a comeback.

You can use a soft wood like pine. It will save you money, but be warned, pine is generally a little more susceptible to the elements than some other woods. Jason preferred to use cedar for this project. Cedar costs a bit more, but it will hold up better in the weather.

Steps:

• Measure your window for shutters. A good rule of thumb is that the shutters should be wide enough and long enough to fit over the windows. Even if the shutters are purely decorative, they should look like they fit.

• Use a table saw to cut wood to measurements (figures A and B). Remember three boards vertically for each shutter and two horizontal boards for each one.

• Line up the three boards so they are even (figure C). Mark where you want the battens to go. In this case, Jason placed the battens about 8 inches from the top.

• Use good quality exterior grade wood glue to secure the battens to the board (figure D).

• Use an 18-gauge nail gun to nail the battens to the boards (figure E).
  

Jason suggests getting a color wheel from an art store or a color palette from a paint store to help choose the proper accent color for your house.

In Mary Lynn's case, the brick on the house has yellow and tan in it. Using the color palette, Jason was able to easily find its complementary color for the shutters.

Jason recommends using a semi-gloss paint on the new shutters because it hides imperfections better than a gloss, and it's easier to clean than a flat paint.

Installing the painted shutters. . .

and a flower box completes the look.

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