If you’re planning on installing brand new interior shutters yourself, you should have a fair amount of experience with some aspects of carpentry. Installing interior shutters is not quite the same as hanging curtains or drapes. If you don’t do everything right, you will end up with crooked shutters that don’t close properly, don’t look right, and that will eventually become an eyesore rather than an asset in your home.
It’s always best to have a professional install interior wood shutters, but if you insist on doing it yourself, follow the steps listed below.
Measure the window opening.
You want to measure horizontally between the window jambs. Do this in three different places: the top, middle, and bottom. This ensures that the individual who built the rough opening didn’t cut corners and that the top is the same width as the bottom.
If the measurements are different, focus on the smallest of the numbers. It’s best to use a folding ruler and not a tape measure as this would give you the most accurate reading.
Prepare the shutters.
You need to get the hinges in place on the shutters next. Seat a hinge in the mortise. Your shutters may have pre-drilled holes to make it easier to position the hinge. Most shutters are designed to open from to the right.
Screw all of the hinges into the shutters.
Have help to hold the shutters in place.
You need to have someone help you hold the shutters up to the window jamb. You want to ensure that hinges protrude enough to allow the shutter to clear the casing when parallel to the wall. Use a pencil to notch a line behind each hinge.
Next, screw the hanging bit to the jamb.
Align the shutters in the opening.
Using help, align your shutters in the window opening. Use shims as needed to adjust the shutters to create an even spacing along the window jamb. Mark the casing at the top of each hinge.
Transfer the mark on the casing to the jamb.
Use a combination square to accomplish this. Secure the shutters to the window jamb, step back, and admire your work.
