Faux Wood Shutters
Shortly after we moved in, we removed all the old drapes thinking we would soon be replacing them. We then realized new window treatments were not going to be in the budget after an extensive remodel of our main living area.
So we were given some sheer curtains and decided to literally tack them to the wall. We made due with this solution for far too long!
After our new windows were installed, it was time to pull the trigger on legit window treatments.
Long were the days of little privacy, tacked up shears, and the sun fading away the couch cushions.
Different Options
I ordered a bunch of different samples of window treatment styles from quite a few different companies.
We were not sure what direction to go, whether it be cellular shades, roller blinds, mini blinds, wood slats, or shutters. There are so many options!
After seeing the samples in our home it was easier to narrow down.
Blackout roller blinds for the light invasion.
Cellular shades for an airy vibe.
Shutters for easy clean up.
Making A Decision
Thinking ahead to the future with our cats and eventually maybe children, above all, the window treatments need to be durable!
I knew that I wanted shutters, but I was very concerned they would be the most expensive option and way out of our budget!
As a starting point, I needed to get a rough estimate for how much each window treatment option would run.
By choosing one window to price out each window treatment option was an easy way to compare costs.
I did this by roughly measuring the selected window and plugging in the dimensions for each type of window treatment and writing down the costs across multiple companies.
Quickly, I realized the shutters were not out of reach! The faux wood shutters were actually the most cost effective option compared to blackout roller blinds, and cellular shades.
So it was decided! White faux wood shutters for 13 windows!
This post is not sponsored – even though that would have been amazing! But we had a really good experience and I definitely recommend them for the DYIer. As a bonus, Select Blinds was offering 50% off for Memorial Day. when I ordered last year. I couldn’t pass up a great deal like that! But that meant I only had two days to measure all 13 windows and order the shutters. Talk about stressful! Sign up for email alerts and check their website often for sales if you are gearing up to tackle a project like this.
Here’s How We Made It Work!
Measure every window
If you’re like me, this calls for a spreadsheet!
Mine looked something like this:
Get a tape measure with all the little markings labeled. This will save you a lot of time and second guessing!
Measure the height on the left, center, and right of the window down to the nearest 1/8th inch.
Then, measure the width on the left, center, and right to the nearest 1/8th inch.
Take the smallest measurement for the height and the smallest measurement for the width and that is the dimensions you will use to order from for each window.
Don’t forget about the window casing depth if you are inside mounting the shutters. There needs to be an allowance for the louvres to open and close without hitting the glass.
Most of our window casings have a depth of 2.5 inches, so the largest louvre size that would fit is a 2 inch.
A Few Tips For Inside Mount Shutters
Measure the window opening at the front of the casing, not right up next to the window glass.
Be EXACT in your measurements down to the nearest 1/8th inch and not a hair less! Otherwise there will be significant gaps when you go to install.
Know there will be a lot of shimming involved when installing the shutters.
Caulking will be in abundance too.
Get a caulking gun with the correct tubes instead of getting the tubes of caulk you squeeze out by hand. There is a learning curve, but you’ll get it!
Using yardsticks as shims could help you with large gaps that need to be filled.
Use a backer rod for the caulking to fill gaps between the shutters and the window casing. Stuff the foam into the gap using a flat head screwdriver and run the bead of caulk over it to keep the caulk from falling through.
Drill more holes for mounting the L-Frames in large windows to better secure (ours only came with one on each side and we drilled two more holes on the frame’s larger sides.)
The Verdict
Now that we have lived with the shutters for about a year, we are still loving them! They are so easy to open up for light in the mornings and close for privacy at night. Plus like I mentioned earlier, they are super quick to clean.
