The Shutter Story: The Salvage

Finally! Our shutters are installed.

Remember how Jon and I completely screwed up our first attempt at installing shutters? No? Wish we could. 

Allow Jon to remind you where we left off.


The Shutter Story: Jon Screws Up from Berennisse Behr on Vimeo.

Yep, we accidentally cut one shutter too short and it was no longer useable for the bedroom window as planned. Day 1 was a total bust.

We woke up in a much better mood the next day. The pieces (you can see me discussing our plans here) we had cut were jagged and the two mounting bars that would sit flush together looked really bad together. Jonathan suggested buying a power sander to help us smooth out the cut pieces to make them fit better. After another trip to Home Depot (that would make it 4 trips to 2 different locations), we sanded all the cut pieces.

Jonathan was really happy because it looked so much better. Like maybe we could have the shutters look decent. 

Then we could finally install them! One and a half days later.... Jon measured where the mounting strips would go and I held them up while he predrilled the holes.

To install the middle pieces Jon used some L shaped brackets. He attached two L brackets next to each other in the center of the windowsill on the top and the bottom. Then he screwed the mounting strips to the brackets.

Then all we had to was slide the shutters on. That process only took about 40 minutes. Just like the instructions promised. 

We're not really happy with the final product. The fit is a little tight and the doors don't close exact but at least they're up. We've decided to just bite the bullet and purchase customized ones for the other windows. We might even pay someone else to install them. Everyone that has seen them says they look fine but naturally we are our own worst critics. 

The best part about this whole mess is that our dining room looks like its almost done. The worst part is that our bedroom still has some old drapes and is a freaking furnace. 

Here's what Jon had to say about the whole experience.


The Shutter Story: Jon Recaps from Berennisse Behr on Vimeo.

My favorite part is where he says "got your approval." :)

To summarize:

• 4 trips to 2 different Home Depots (not counting our visit to their online store)
• 2 new tools (circular saw & power sander)
• 2 days (instead of 40 minutes)
• 2 tired and frustrated homeowners  
• $400 spent (half on the shutters and half on new tools)

NEVER. AGAIN. (Most likely... you never know. Jon might want to give it another go.)