Repair Recipe: Refreshed Shutters
In the middle of the night a few weeks ago, we woke up to a loud clanking on the side of the house and then a THUMP. The wind had been rattling one of our shutters until it simply snapped in half and fell down to the driveway.
Upon surveying the damage in the morning, only one shutter had cracked but four of our eight shutters were barely hanging on for their lives, attached to the house by less than half of the six screws securing them. The plastic had deteriorated in the elements and it was undoubtedly time for a little repair.
While we could’ve called a handyman to do the job, it makes a big difference to save a few hundred dollars on work you can do by yourself. Plus there’s always the satisfaction of mastering a new skill. So roll up your sleeves, gather your supplies, and let's get started!
Supplies You'll Need
Before diving in, plan for one full day of repair. While the work is quick, we need to account for paint to dry. Additionally, if you can manage it, wait for a clear and sunny day so you can work outside and get on the roof safely. Beyond this preparation, you’ll also need:
An extra set of hands (recruit a friend or family member to help)
Ladder (height dependent on your home)
Bungee cord (to secure the ladder in place)
Cordless drill
New sets of shutters (1 pack of 2 per each window)
6 standard 2.5-inch steel screws per single shutter
Drill bit
Pencil
Color-matched paint
Kilz primer
TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) for cleaning
Gloves & sponge
Paint brushes
Drop cloth
When picking new shutters, the cost varies widely depending on the material. Vinyl shutters typically run under $100 per pair while intricate wood shutters may be $300-$800. Think about the style you’re going for and the flexibility of your budget. See Home Depot’s options here.
Instructions
Prepare & clean: Lay out a drop cloth in your garage or open area and place the new shutters on it. Use a sponge dipped in a TSP and water mixture to clean any oils from the shutters. Wipe down all sides, the top and the bottom. Let dry.
Paint: Once dry, paint with a layer of Kilz primer to seal them. Paint all sides and make sure there are no drops of excess paint. Let dry completely - refer to the instructions on the Kilz container for minimum time. Clean your paintbrush and set aside. Once this coat is dry dry, paint the shutters with your chosen color-matched paint. Let dry completely and then paint a second coat. Check for excess paint, evenness and that all sides are covered. Let the second coat dry completely before moving. Clear your paintbrush.
Remove Old Shutters: When the new shutters are dry, it's time to remove the old ones. If your shutters are on the second story, ensure you have a sturdy ladder that extends at least 2 feet above the roofline for safety. Enlist a friend to hold the ladder steady. As you first ascend, secure the ladder to the gutter using a bungee cord so that it stays in place. On the roof, use your cordless drill to unscrew all six screws and removing the original shutter. Take the old shutters, screws and drill back down the ladder.
Prepare for Installation: Overlay the old shutters onto the dried replacements to mark the original location of screw holes with a pencil. Use the cordless drill and a drill bit to create new holes in the new shutters, matching the originals exactly.
Install the New Shutters: With your friend's assistance, climb back up the ladder with the new shutters, screws and cordless drill. Work together to position them in place one at a time. Use the cordless drill to secure each shutter with all 6 of the screws, making sure they align them with the pre-drilled holes. Double-check that each shutter is securely fastened before descending the ladder with the drill.
Admire Your Handiwork: Once all the shutters are installed, step back and admire your work! Take a moment to appreciate the transformation and the dollars saved!
With just a few basic tools and a bit of patience, you can take on home improvement projects like installing new shutters with confidence. Not only does it save you money, but it also empowers you to customize and update your home. Don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves and give it a try – you might just surprise yourself with the results!
