A Guide to Installing Your Own Custom-Made DIY Plantation Shutters in Australia

For DIY-savvy Australians, taking on your own custom plantation shutter project can be rewarding. With proper planning, skills, and preparation, self-installed plantation shutters enable cost savings and total control over your design choices. This guide covers key steps for measuring, purchasing, and installing your own DIY custom-made plantation shutters in Australia.

Measure Precisely Before Ordering

Accurate measurements are crucial for plantation shutters to fit correctly after manufacturing. Measure each window opening requiring shutters:

• Use a steel tape measure for precision. Laser measures can mismeasure if angles or distances aren’t just right.
• Measure width at the very top, middle, and very bottom of the window opening. Record the smallest dimension. Shutters can’t be made smaller but can have light-blocking trim added if slightly small.
• Measure height on the left, right, and middle sides of the window opening. Use the shortest height dimension.
• For any specialty windows, provide the radius dimensions of curves and arches.
• Note any obstructions like window cranks/locks, sills, handles that will interfere with shutter operation or coverage.

With detailed measurements, you can order shutters guaranteed to fit your window openings precisely.

Determine Shutter Panel Configuration

Factor in how shutters will be oriented across each window:

• How many panel sets will fit the width? Center divider needed for wider windows?
• Will shutters be made full height or stop shy of ceiling and floor moldings?
• Any arched or specialty shapes needed? Circle top shutters? Angled louvers?
• What size louvers are optimal for privacy versus light control? Narrower louvers mean more tilt adjustment.
• Will joints be butt joints between slats or Mistura finger joints? Finger joints enhance strength.
• How many hinge sets are needed per panel for smooth unsupported operation? Taller panels require more hinge sets.

Decide on these specifications upfront so your custom shutters arrive ready to install across each window perfectly.

Select Shutter Operation Type

Plantation shutters come in a variety of operating mechanisms. Choose which suits your needs:

Tilt Bar – Interior control rod allows slats to tilt in unison by rotating the rod. Most popular and affordable option.

Hidden Wand – Like tilt bar but hidden internal wand allows slat tilting. Good for child safety.

Hinge Pins – Individual slats tilt by moving front pins along hinge groove. Permits slat-by-slat adjustment.

Elliptical Rod – Shift rod moves up/down to tilt slats rather than side-to-side rotation.Alternative control style.

Motorized – Electric motors allow app or remote control of shutter open/close and louver tilting. More expensive but convenient.

Select the control method providing your ideal amount of convenience, light adjustability, child-safety, and affordability.

Choose Shutter Material and Finish

Popular Australian plantation shutter materials include:

• Painted Wood – Basswood or Poplar take paint well. Any color works. Durable and classic choice.
• Stained Wood – Cedar and Ash shutters allow wood grain to show through translucent stains in wood tone colors.
• Composite – Polyresin is durable and mimics wood well. Cost effective. Won’t warp.
• Aluminum – Strong and resilient painted metal best for coastal or high humidity regions. Rattles more.
• Vinyl – Cheapest option but lacks wood character. Prone to becoming brittle over time.

Select material suited to your climate that provides the right mix of aesthetics, durability, and budget-friendliness for your purposes.

Purchase Custom Shutter Panels

With measurements and specifications in hand, shop for suppliers able to build custom shutters to order:

• Find manufacturers specializing specifically in shutters over general blinds companies.
• Specify exact measurements, configuration, materials, finishes, and features needed.
• Request to see product samples and photos of past work to assess craftsmanship quality.
• Get a fair transparent quote covering materials, labor, shipping, and any installation hardware needed.
• Ensure expected production and shipping timelines that fit your project schedule.

Order through reputable specialists able to deliver premium quality custom-built plantation shutters.

Ensure Proper Window Prep

Before shutters arrive, prep each window for smooth installation:

• Remove any existing window coverings like old blinds and curtains.
• Thoroughly clean window framing, sills and walls around the window. Remove grime, dust and debris.
• Caulk and seal any cracks or gaps in the window framing that could allow air leaks once shutters installed.
• Determine if additional blocking needs to be added inside framing to anchor shutter hardware securely. Add nailing strips.

Proper window readiness prevents later installation hassles and ensures tight weatherproofing.

Organize Hardware and Tools Needed

Gather specific hardware suited for your shutter configuration:

Hardware:

• Hinges: Stanley heavy duty loose pin or specialty hinges for larger shutters
• Mounting screws and anchors: Long stainless steel screws with plastic wall anchors
• L-brackets: Steel 90 degree angle brackets to mount cafe shutters
• Tilt bar, wand or rods: Depending on shutter operation type
• Magnet spacers: For window sill clearance if needed

Tools:

• Power drill
• Hammer
• Phillips and flat head screwdrivers
• Utility knife
• Tape measure
• Carpenter’s level

Having the right hardware and tools prepped streamlines installation.

Review Detailed Installation Instructions

Consult the manufacturer’s specific plantation shutter installation guide so you thoroughly understand each step, special considerations, proper placements, and sequence before starting. Key steps will involve:

• Mounting side and top tracks (if using any). Ensuring level and plumb.
• Positioning and hanging shutter panels on hinges. Keeping evenly spaced.
• Securing panels directly into side framing or window jambs using long screws.
• Attaching tilt bar, control wands and any operating hardware inside panels. Keeping alignment even.
• Adjusting panels, hinges, and hardware until smooth operation achieved.

Following detailed steps prevents improper installation leading to problems down the road.

Carefully Hang Shutter Panels

With pre-installation complete, it’s time to carefully mount the custom plantation shutter panels:

• Before hanging, do a dry test run placing panels into position and marking hinge locations with pencil.
• Affix hinges to window frame or jamb, not just drywall. Use anchors in solid wood or studs.
• Hang panels on hinges one-by-one. Keep spacing between panels even and faces aligned vertically.
• For wider windows, work from the outside-in to center the divide point. Keep breathing room.
• Frequently step back and check appearance. Adjust until centered and visually balanced.

Meticulous panel hanging prevents uneven spacing and alignment issues once installation is complete.

Confirm Proper Panel Clearances

With panels hung in each window opening, verify adequate clearance:

• Top and bottom of panels should clear window frame and sill moldings without scraping.
• Side stiles should not rub against window jambs when opening and closing.
• Front louvers must fully open when tilted without striking the window frame.
• Panels must close and latch without gaps and light leakage in between or around the perimeters.

If any panel corners catch or rub, adjust hinges or add corner spacers until clearances are corrected.

Attach Operating Hardware

With panel alignment set, install rod or wand tilting hardware:

• Feed the tilt rod through each shutter panel’s top and bottom pivot holes consecutively. Keep rod straight and centered.
• Attach knobs or grip handle to tilt rod ends once inserted full length top to bottom. Keep rod snug but able to still rotate.
• For hidden control wands, insert the angled wand end into rear hole at the top of each upper panel ensuring grip teeth catch.
• Rotate rods or wands to ensure smooth engagement that opens louvers fully when tilted without binding.

Proper louver operation depends on hardware centered, straight, and moving freely.

Seal Perimeter Light Gaps

To prevent light leakage and air infiltration, seal perimeter gaps:

• Close panels and look for any visible daylight around the edges where panels meet in the middle or at the sides.
• Press foam weatherstrip into gap between panel edges. Cut strips to fit each gap.
• Use clear low profile silicone caulk to seal panel edges to window jambs if gaps exist. Keep caulk thin to not impede panel movement.
• Black rubber U-channel or vinyl strips adhere between bottom panel and window sill to seal light gaps.

Sealing is essential for insulation, noise reduction, dust control and fully darkening the room.

Add Finishing Touches

Final details complete the plantation shutter installation:

• Hold-open locks to keep shutters open if desired.
• Shutter pull handles if panels don’t have inset finger holes.
• Hinge straps for a decorative touch.
• Side mounting plates to stabilize magnetic window sill spacers if used.
• Number magnets to easily identify panel order for multi-unit wide assemblies.

With creative touches, DIY shutters gain a refined fully-finished appearance.

Troubleshoot Any Issues

Inspect operation and fix any remaining problems:

• If panels sag, add more hinge screws for support or upgrade to heavy duty hinges.
• Dress hinge screw holes with wood putty if oversized and redrill pilot holes for a tighter screw grip.
• If rod bind, loosen panel hinge screws and slightly adjust position until tilt motion is smooth.
• If louvers catch on frames, notch frame edge clearance where rubbing if possible. Otherwise trim back louvers.
• Use longer screws to better anchor into window framing if any looseness allows movement.

Thorough inspection and adjustments ensures long term smooth shutter operation.

Maintain DIY Shutters Over Time

To maximize your shutter investment and keep your DIY plantation shutters looking pristine:

• Keep wood shutters sealed and painted. Refinish at first signs of damage or wear.
• Lightly lubricate operating hardware annually. Tighten any loose hinge screws.
• Clean louvers and frames with mild cleanser and soft brush, rinse and dry completely.
• Inspect for pests if outdoors. Address immediately if any damage spotted.
• Have pros tackle repairs beyond basic tightening and hardware replacement.

Ongoing DIY shutter maintenance retains their like-new condition and function.

We hope these tips equip you to take on DIY custom plantation shutters successfully in your Australian home. Let us know if any other questions pop up during your project!