Installing New, Strong Shutters With an Old-Style Look

Project: Basement Finishing and Family Space, Episode 10, Part 3



Exterior repairs, painting, and new stucco are underway in Melrose, where Bob looks at the various surfaces that need paint and repairs on this 1921 home. The stucco walls are in good shape overall, but moisture has damaged trim pieces and window frames, especially in the back. Trim is replaced with resilient western red cedar and the back window frame is updated with a synthetic material that will never rot and can be painted to match the home. A painting specialist walks Bob through the surface treatments that will be needed on the home including primer and paint for the new stucco, scraping, sanding, and repainting the trim, solid-color stain for the new wood shingles, and trim paint on facing boards, windows, and rails. The Ipe porch deck is installed with a hidden deck-fastening system that attaches to a deck board and is screwed into the joist to eliminate face nailing. A western red cedar trellis is constructed for porch privacy and a new antique-look exterior porch light is wired in. New operable shutters are installed with shutter dogs that are drilled first through the masonry and then into the sheathing underneath to hold them securely in place.

Part 1: Painting a Stucco and Wood Exterior
Part 2: Installing a Porch Floor and Light and Constructing a Porch Trellis
Part 3: Installing New, Strong Shutters With an Old-Style Look

Steve Nott of Steve Nott and Son Carpentry reviews the steps involved in installing the window shutters. The old shutter has been removed as it had fallen into a state of disrepair and might use lead paint. New shutters from J&L Shutters were used as replacements. The shutters are made from Permex, a synthetic material, and are pre-painted with a ten-year warranty. The shutters also have metal reinforcement through the stiles and historic-style hinges. The hinge section has already been attached to the shutter and the hinge pin is attached to the window casing. The shutter is a working shutter and can be closed to protect windows during a storm. Measurements for the screw holes have already been made. A pilot hole is then drilled into the wood. Pilot holes are important because drilling a screw into the wood without one can weaken the wood. Once the pins are in, the shutter is put into place. The shutter dog is then installed at the bottom to hold the shutter in an open position. First, the shutter dog is put in position and marked on the wall. A hole is then drilled into the stucco using a masonry bit. After the stucco is penetrated, the bit is switched to a standard bit to drill into the sheathing underneath. The use of the old-style hinges retains the historic appeal of the home. These shutters are resistant to rot and will last a long time.

MOST POPULAR CLIPS

OUTDOOR PROJECTS

HOUSE & GARDEN TOURS