Repairing Guides

how to repair exterior shutters

by Maverick Miller Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Repairing Exterior Wood Shutters

  • PATCH ROT. Chisel out rot and impact damage with an appropriate tool. Mix a small amount of two-part wood epoxy or even...
  • REPLACE DAMAGED AREAS. Remove any screws and tap off the loose part of a stile or rail using a hammer, protecting the...
  • REPAIR LOOSE JOINTS. Joints deteriorate as water finds its way in. To fix, dampen the joint...

Part of a video titled How to Replace Vinyl Shutters - YouTube
2:07
7:13
You would drill a quarter inch hole and then you'd use those spikes to kind of do a little bit of aMoreYou would drill a quarter inch hole and then you'd use those spikes to kind of do a little bit of a friction fit.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to repair shutters?

Shutter Repair Cost Guide. Most homeowners spend between $136 to $214 nationally. Get free estimates from local contractors who can Repair Shutters . Or, call us to get free estimates (833) 497-4372. While shutters are an optional addition to the home, they can meet a number of needs.

How can I upcycle shutters?

21 Upcycled Shutter Projects

  • Upcycled Shutter Projects
  • Shutters Used For Hanging Light Fixture
  • Upcycled Shutters Used As Decor
  • Shutters Used In Seasonal Decor. We have several upcycled shutters as decor in our home …. Thanks for stopping by today. ...

How can I renew my shutters?

Method 2 of 3: Cleaning Oxidized Vinyl Shutters

  1. Mix a solution using commercial cleaner. You can purchase a commercial cleaner online or at a local hardware store.
  2. Spray down two shutters at a time with the cleaner. Place your cleaner in a spray bottle or pump garden cleaner.
  3. Wipe down each shutter with a scouring pad. ...
  4. Apply the scratch test. ...
  5. Repeat the process if necessary. ...
  6. Rinse your shutters. ...

How to repaint your shutters?

  • Keep the surface wet long enough for the bleach to do its job. This means you should wait a few minutes before rinsing the shutters.
  • Make sure to protect your eyes and skin as well as any plants when you’re working with bleach.
  • A long-handle scrub brush can help work the solution into hard-to-reach corners. ...

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How do you fix outside shutters?

Use a putty knife to fill the hole in the shutter with automotive body. Smooth the filler flush with the surface of the shutter, and allow it to set. Smooth the surface with sandpaper. Prime the spot with exterior primer, allow to dry, then paint the shutter with a high quality exterior paint.

How do you fix a chipped wood shutter?

You can repair such minor damage by sanding off the paint and applying wood filler to the damaged area. This process aims at restoring the Wood louvered shutters to their original appearance. When the filler dries, you should sand the surface before repainting it to give the window shutters a great appearance.

How do you fix a hole in a vinyl shutter?

Vinyl adhesive caulk is the best product to repair holes in vinyl. In some cases, caulk can be purchased directly from the manufacturer of the vinyl siding so that is an exact color match.

How do you restore old shutters?

Whoever does the work will need to remove the shutters, take off the hardware, strip the old finish, then sand the wood, stain it and coat it with a clear finish — ideally two coats. The final step is putting it all back together and making sure the parts fit as well as they do now.

How do you replace wood shutter slats?

0:281:45How to replace a slat in your push rod shutters - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a pair of small pliers snip the staple on the slat ease the slat from the push rod. Next takeMoreUsing a pair of small pliers snip the staple on the slat ease the slat from the push rod. Next take a wallpaper scraper and gently tap between the slat and solid upright section of the shutter panel.

How do you fix scratched plantation shutters?

Plantation Shutter Repairs Wood can be repaired using wood putty to fill any minor dents, or by gently sanding to buff out any small dings or scratches. Touch-up paint is provided with every order in the matching paint color to your shutters, in case any such repairs are necessary.

How do you fix holes in siding shutters?

1:163:21How to Patch a Hole in Vinyl Siding in 3 Minutes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis takes off any dirt around the surface. So that we could hear our repair patch that has a veryMoreThis takes off any dirt around the surface. So that we could hear our repair patch that has a very strong adhesive. Now we'll let that dry for a little bit.

How do you fix vinyl window shutters?

1:287:13How to Replace Vinyl Shutters - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou would drill a quarter inch hole and then you'd use those spikes to kind of do a little bit of aMoreYou would drill a quarter inch hole and then you'd use those spikes to kind of do a little bit of a friction fit.

Can you fill holes in vinyl siding?

Fix Large Vinyl Siding Hole Cut the replacement piece larger than the damaged area. Cut off the top nailing strip on replacement piece. Hold the replacement piece over the damage. If you need to cut off the bottom lip of the replacement piece to make it fit, go ahead and trim it off.

Is it cheaper to buy new shutters or paint them?

Painting Plastic Shutters vs. The cost adds up fast for a house with multiple shutters. Unless they're cracked or severely warped, painting them yourself is a much cheaper alternative to buying new ones, and the work itself is easy when done correctly.

What is the best paint for plastic shutters?

acrylic paintMost plastic shutters will call for a good quality, 100% acrylic paint. Be cautious when going darker with the color of your plastic shutters. Darker colors absorb more light, causing the plastic to warp and ripple.

Is it better to paint or replace shutters?

If paint is peeling or bubbling, sanding and repainting may be all that's needed. However, if there is extensive damage that makes them weak or flimsy, they should be replaced.

How to clean a shutter?

Dust off loose dirt with a soft brush. Gently wash the shutter with a rag and soapy water; if it’s excessively dirty, use trisodium phosphate (TSP) diluted with water per instructions. Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eyewear when using TSP. Rinse cleaned shutters with a hose. Let dry completely.

How to secure a slat on a frame?

Tilt the end with the stationary pin into the open slot on the frame. The pin will insert into the slot. Then press the spring-loaded pin down with your finger so that the slat can slide along frame and into the slot. The spring will release into the opening on the slat, securing it.

How to cut a pin out of a slat?

With a utility knife, cut the old pin by sliding the knife between the slat and the frame. Pry out the remains of the pins from the slat and the frame. Tap the stationary pin into one end of the slat. Insert the spring-loaded pin into the stile (not the louver) on the other side.

Why do exterior shutters peel?

Whether functional or merely decorative, exterior shutters may suffer from peeling paint, joint problems, and decay because they are exposed to the elements. Movable parts such as louvers may break. Do inspect exterior shutters every year and address problems before they progress to the point where the shutters need to be replaced.

Why do shutters have pressure on the window?

If there’s any form of damage to the shutter frame, you will have a problem operating the shutters and this also causes pressure on the window frame. With time, you will have to replace the entire window frame which is costly. The mortise and tendon joinery is the main culprit in most shutter frame problems.

How to get dowel out of slat?

Using a sharp knife, slide the dowel out of the slat and drive it into the hole on the frame.

How to hold a shutter frame together?

If the joint as come off, clean the dirt and dampen the frame joints before coating them with coat the joints with polyurethane glue. Using water helps activate the glue and hold the joints together. A pipe clamp can come in handy to hold these joints tightly together as the glue continues drying. For increased strength of the shutter frame, you can drill screws into the joinery.

What is wrong with my shutter frame?

The mortise and tendon joinery is the main culprit in most shutter frame problems. These joints are strong, durable and stand the test of time but weather damage and regular use can lead to problems. You should check the condition of the joinery keenly and clean it with a stiff brush to identify the extent of the damage.

Why do wood shutters rot?

However, there are ways of overcoming wood rot including wood treatment. However, due to exposure to the elements , it is common for wood shutters to suffer rot and you need to address this immediately. This problem that spreads fast and if not corrected early, you might end up replacing all your shutters.

Why are my shutters cracking?

April 9, 2019. For these window furnishings to perform all these functions, they need to stay in tiptop condition. Due to exposure to extreme weather, exterior shu tters can suffer physical damage including cracking, warping, paint peeling, wood rot, hinge problems, wood joint problems, among other forms of wood damage.

Why is it important to inspect window shutters?

It is important to inspect regularly the surface of the window shutters and the shutter frame to avoid any form of damage. Early detection of problems helps you to correct the situation through quick repairs. If left untreated, shutters damage can extend necessitating costly replacement.

What does it mean to get shutters back in working order?

Getting the shutters back into working order meant scraping paint away from the louvers’ pins and shoulders.

Why are shutters important?

Shutters are inarguably one of a house’s most significant details; historically, they shielded delicate fabrics from the sun, protected fragile glass from inclement weather, and also offered security, privacy, and ventilation. Now merely window dressing, shutters are frequently misunderstood and installed as an afterthought.

What wood do Ted and Mike make shutters from?

Rather than reuse the old, deteriorated stiles, Ted and Mike made new stiles from white oak, a species renowned for durability and its ability to tenaciously grasp hardware screws. Although joining dissimilar woods with glue generally isn’t recommended, in this case it works because the louver pins are moving freely within the stile mortise holes.

How many louvers are there in a shutter?

Disassembling the shutters was easy: Once the pegs were pulled or drilled out, the stiles released from the rails, and the 68 individual louvers fell away from the shutter. Fortunately, the tilt bar, the vertical stick that moves the louvers up or down, kept the numerous pieces in place and maintained the order in which they would be reinstalled.

What was Ted's main concern with the shutters?

Michael’s main concern was that the shutters look appropriate to the house. Ted worried that new shutters wouldn’t look right, and custom-made replicas would be far too expensive. So, he decided to repair the originals on a time and materials basis, estimating that the final cost would be less than or comparable to the new shutter price.

Who hangs shutters on the Gothic Revival house?

Ted Robertson hangs the good-as-new shutters on the Gothic Revival house. For homeowner Michael Orman, keeping the shutters on his mid-Victorian Gothic Revival cottage in Rochester, New York—one of many along historic Mt. Hope Avenue designed by nationally and locally famous architects such as Gervase Wheeler, Andrew Jackson Davis, and A.J. and J.

Who inventoried the reusable and unusable components of shutters?

To analyze whether the shutters could be repaired durably for a similar price, Ted took all the parts to his shop, where he and associate Mike Marini inventoried the reusable and unusable components. Like window sash, the shutters were constructed with mortise-and-tenon joints held fast with wood pegs.

Repair vs. Replacement

I get asked this question a lot and here is the answer. The answer lies somewhere between show much rot is there and how much time will it take to repair.

Shutter Materials

Before getting into this repair lets talk materials. This particular shutter pictured is either pine or Basswood and our repair will outlast the shutter, which will rot again somewhere else. I can repair this shutter and one other in 1-hour.

Shutter Joinery

A quality shutter, will always have mortise and tenon joinery. Mortise and tenon joints are strong, durable and stand the test of time. Quality shutter manufacturers will use mortise and tenon joints at the connecting rails and shutter stiles.

How To Repair An Exterior Window Shutter

This shutter has rot in the middle connecting rail, so we’ll focus on replacing that rail. The client asked us to make this repair with the plan to purchase cedar shutters in the Spring.

Exposing the Connecting Screw

To remove the middle connecting rail you need to locate the fasteners which run through the shutter styles [long rails]

Making the New Middle Rail

I used a 2×6 cedar board to make the replacement middle rail. I like cedar for its insect and weather resistance, and it’s always a good rot replacement wood.

Priming End Grain

I primed the exposed wood on the style rails as well as the ingrain on the middle board. End grain wicks moisture faster than any other part of the board. This is why the middle rail rotted in the first place. By sealing and back priming all wood trim you are giving it a chance to endure the elements by slowing water infiltration.

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