Showing posts with label shutters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shutters. Show all posts

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