How to Build Easy Exterior Shutters

Measure the height of your window and add two inches. The width of your shutter will depend on the width of your window. For functional shutters, the width will have to be the exact width of your window or larger, depending on what you have around your window to anchor the shutter hinges to. For instance, if it's a brick opening, you have more distance than if you have just wood trim.

Cut as many boards as you need to cover the width of the window or a little more for functional shutters. Cut five boards for each side for decorative shutters.

Cut two boards for each shutter to go across the vertical boards and hold them together. For functional shutters, the length of these boards will be the width inside the window opening. For decorative shutters, the horizontal board can go all the way across the boards.

Lay the vertical boards down on a hard level surface. Run a bead of adhesive between the boards to hold them together while you screw on the horizontal boards. Make sure the tops of the boards are level. Let the adhesive dry for about a half-hour.

Screw one horizontal board about 3 inches down from the top and one 3 inches up from the bottom. Put one screw through to each of the vertical boards.

Paint or stain and seal the shutters. Use at least two coats to make them weatherproof and do both sides. Stain and sealer come either separate or together. Follow the manufacturer's suggestions on how many coats to use.

Attach the hinges. Fit the shutters into your window opening to mark where you want to attach the hinges if you are using functional shutters. You will need at least two hinge sets for each shutter. Decorative shutters can have hinges attached for decoration but do not need to be functional. You can attach this type of shutter with either masonry screws or find a stud and screw into it.

Attach a latch to the shutters to keep them closed in bad weather. If you're making functional shutters, attach the latch to the back side so it is not visible unless the shutters are shut. This way, they will still be decorative when not in use.