How to make & install Shutters, a Flower Box, & an Address Block

[@woodworks351]

Nice work, how are the shutters holding up after a year of weather? Did they split in the seams of the 1x6’s ?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

No splitting to report. However, like any outdoor wooden pieces, yearly maintenance is required (unless you like the aged grey look of weathered cedar). Quick power wash and another clear coat, and we're back to shining like new.

[@gogojjt]

Great job!! Only suggestion would be to leave a small gap inbetween the boards for expansion. I usually use popsicle sticks 👍

[@4rdF1Hunny]

That’s insane how much better that plain siding looks. Color pops so well!

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Thanks! Yeah, it really gave the house a lot of dimension 👍🏽

[@DasherCreations]

It looks great! Thanks for all the tips

[@donnygrahambuilds]

@@DasherCreations thanks! And sure thing! Thanks for checking out the video 👍🏽

[@brittanyclemetson1696]

Awesome! Love everything, I’m looking to make some cedar shutters of my own. I will be doing a lot of sanding 😅

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Haha nice! Good luck! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@JohnMalik]

Nicely done, sir

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Thanks John!

[@kemicalx17]

Looks awesome!!!

[@TimBock]

By chance do you recall what color your house is painted? It goes great with the cedar!

[@donnygrahambuilds]

@@TimBock sorry, it wasn’t my house. It was a client’s.

[@wilsonmaingrette715]

3:15 those cross pieces are definitely structural they prevent the panels from warping

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Hi Wilson - in this case, since I used mortise and tendon joinery (dominos) for the shutter panel, the cross pieces are not structural. If someone where to use pocket holes, or just wood glue, then yes - the cross pieces would be necessary to keep the shutters flat long term. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@nbuck412]

Add two more flower boxes. Everything looks great though!!

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Appreciate the recommendation, but this was client build. They only wanted the 1 big box. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@dirrtypenguin]

Question, so if you went through the vinyl siding and into sheeting, aren't you worried about water running down the vinyl and into screw holes?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

@@dirrtypenguin good question - I added a small dab of silicone to help seal up the hole

[@lawrencearnemann3923]

I need to build new shutters but have developed an allergy to cedar over the years.may go with azek or cypress but both are pricey. North side of my house takes a beating from the fl sun. What do you folks suggest?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Whatever material you go with, I’d finish using a deck/fence stain/sealer. Holds us really well to UV. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@kiaracrook1487]

What screw did you use to actually nail the shutter to the house?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Hi Kiara - I used exterior rated 3” trim head screws to attach these shutters. Still holding without issue 1.5yrs later. Thanks for checking out the video👍🏽

[@vintageblue2211]

👏 great job

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Thanks!

[@tom.coomes]

I am building similar shutters and came across this video while looking for ideas. Mostly because I am a little concerned about the wood movement. I noticed that you placed the cross pieces the same way I initially thought. Have you noticed any kind of adverse effects from gluing them down to the vertical pieces?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Hey Tom, thanks for checking out the video! This build was actually for a client, so I don't seem them daily. However, I haven't heard any negative feedback from them. The biggest issue I run into with outdoor shutters is actually discoloration. Despite UV-proof finishes, the finish coat still wears down causes blotchiness. I honestly thinking staining the cedar (sinful, I know hah) a slightly darker color may provide that extra layer of defense.

[@westesh]

Have you had any problems with siding warping since it is screwed solid? Did you open up the pilot hole a bit for siding expansion?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Hi Weston, thanks for checking out the video! Thus far, no siding concerns have been raised by the client. If I had to take a guess, I'd say the amount of wood movement on these shutters is fairly minimal due to the reinforced dominos and the cross members. Those both service as a kind of forced mechanical lock, limiting wood movement. The main concern I've received from these clients is how best to keep these looking nice. And the unfortunate reality is exterior wooden products weather and require almost a complete refinishing every other year or so to keep them looking 90-95% of their original luster.

[@booostedtc]

Nice job what stain please

[@donnygrahambuilds]

No stain, just helmsman - though, it dulled really poorly after about 2 years. I’d recommend using a fence stain/sealer instead. I refinished these ones with Cabot canyon brown and they turned out 💯👌🏽. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@johnr7837]

are the shutters screwed into the studs or just the vinyl?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Just the vinyl, they don’t weigh much.

[@donnygrahambuilds]

@Nyomi.Play28 I attached these over 2 yrs ago, other than refinishing them with a better exterior finish, they’ve had no issues. Though, I will say, I used screws long enough (3”) to go through the vinyl and sink into the paneling beneath.

[@haveeair]

Badass. I’m looking to do something like this at my house. Thanks!!!

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Haha thanks! Thanks for checking out the build! Hope yours turns out even better 👍🏽

[@StanleyWebster-p1t]

Why the shutters a so small can they cover the whole window

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Haha fair question. Up in my area (Midwest) shutters are literally only installed for decoration. They’ll never serve a practical use. Thanks for checking out the build 👍🏽

[@rampage2587]

They're decorative. Very common.

[@lindagatchell8079]

Do you have vinyl siding or wood siding?

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Hi Linda, this house had vinyl siding. The screws bite into the sub-wall material. It would fasten even better to wooden siding. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@JM-zg2jg]

Nice work, though it’s too bad you went with those comically undersized faux shutters. Now the window just looks like it has ears.

[@donnygrahambuilds]

To each his own, I guess 🤷🏽‍♂️. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@garylivingston9052]

So each side should be as wide as one half of the window? Lol, that would look way overkill. I have made several sets like this (board and bat) i only make them around 12" wide total with 1/2" in between the verticals. They are for decoration like he said, not function. They look great.

[@jransum]

Nice product. Music is way too loud and annoying though.

[@donnygrahambuilds]

@@jransum thanks! Yeah, this is definitely an older video before I really learned how to edit sound better - I’d definitely invite you to check out a more recent video and see if the improvements are noticeable !

[@jransum]

@@donnygrahambuilds I will for sure

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

Louvered shutters would have looked better.

[@donnygrahambuilds]

Client gets what the client orders. Thanks for checking out the video!