A DIY Guide On Plantation Shutters

Although there are many companies that can make plantations shutters on order, such as any of the plantation shutters London firms that also offer both online and on-phone support, some people still prefer to make them on their own.

This is nothing unusual and, if you are skilled in the wooden crafts department, can even be the better option as you would make the blinds exactly how you want them to. You do need to make sure though that you have plenty of space to create the blinds (do not cut or file wood inside your home), that you have the right wood, and of course the right tools for the job. If all of the before mentioned is something that you get a hold of, and you are comfortable with your skills, then by all means, continue reading on how to create your very own plantation shutters.

The first thing you need to do is to choose the right wood for your shutters. One of the most important points here is that your wood is light in weight, so that it doesn’t weigh your window frames down, but also that it is strong and durable enough to last for a long time once installed. Oak wood, for example, is not a good option. While the wood is loved for its strength, it is indeed quite heavy, and as such will both be hard to work with and dangerous for the window frame.

A better option would be bamboo, which is incredibly light, or basswood, which is very soft and easy to cut through and mould. Even if you are a good craftsman, perhaps it would be a good idea to contact one of the plantation shutters London companies for some advice on the matter, or to talk to someone who already has plantation shutters and get their opinion on the matter.

The next thing you have to do is to make all the measurements necessary for your shutters. The first would be to measure the size of your windows and to decide where you want the leaves, brackets and cords to be placed. The design is of course up to you, but it is of vital importance that you do not get any of the measurements wrong at this point or ever. Even a slight mistake in measuring your blinds will mean that you will not be able to install them correctly and risk the possibility of damaging your windows or having your blinds fall of altogether. If you are not sure of how to cut the wood or where to place the brackets, you can do a little Google search on shutter plans and designs for DIY lovers. There are plenty on offer for free, and you will surely find one that you love to use in your own home.

Once you’ve cut the wood down to size, make sure that you first coat it two to three times with a generous coating of lacquer of your choice. Do not try to save money by buying cheap lacquer, it’s quality will determine the durability and life span of your shutters, so make sure that you buy the best there is for this part of the project. Connect the louvers and the frames of your shutters before attaching the shutters to your windows. Make sure that you secure them firmly with screws and hinges, because a lose louver will never be completely open or completely shut and as such, you will not be able to adjust it how you wish to. Making a mistake here is something that you will not be able to fix later, unless you start again from scratch. Check that everything works before moving on.

Next, attach your shutter to your window by using brackets which you will install in the corners of your window frames and screw in tightly. Once everything is in place, make sure that you can open and close your windows without damaging them or the shutters. Neither the shutters nor the windows should be rubbing against anything as this will cause damage to the surface. If everything is ready and working, you can now enjoy your custom-built plantation shutters. Do not forget to give them occasional maintenance, and they will last for a long time.