How to Install Vinyl Louvered & Raised Panel Shutters
These instructions cover vinyl louvered, raised panel, combination and shaker shutters on siding made of wood, vinyl or aluminum. There are two ways to hang them — with color-matched shutter spikes, or with painted head screws. Pick the one that matches the fasteners that came with your order, and work through it panel by panel.
Method 1 — Color-matching shutter spikes
For siding made of wood, vinyl or aluminum.
What you’ll need
- Electric drill
- 5/16" drill bit
- 1/4" drill bit
- Hammer or mallet
- Lay the shutter face up on a clean, flat surface — a sheet of plywood is ideal.
- Measure 2 inches down from the top and 2 inches up from the bottom, and mark a spot at the center of the stile. Drill a 5/16" diameter hole at each mark, plus two more holes in the stile at the center of the panel — six holes in total.
- Position the shutter on the house next to the window.
- Using a suitable marker, mark the mounting hole locations on the building.
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Remove the shutter and, where marked, drill a 5/16" hole through the wood, vinyl or aluminum siding only.
- Do not drill into the wall at this stage.
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If the wall is wood:
- Drill a 1/4" diameter hole 1 3/4" deep into the wall.
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If the wall is masonry or brick:
- Drill a 1/4" diameter hole 1 3/4" deep into the wall.
- A concrete anchor is not recommended when using shutter locks.
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Place the shutter back on the house and put a shutter lock in a hole. Using a hammer, gently tap the lock in. Repeat until all six shutter locks are started, then finish tapping them all in.
- Be careful not to tap them in too far. They should only go down far enough for the underside of the shutter lock head to touch the shutter while the back edge of the shutter is touching the building.
- Take care not to damage the shutter lock or the shutter.
- Repeat the process for all remaining shutter panels.
Method 2 — Painted head screws
For siding made of wood, vinyl or aluminum.
What you’ll need
- Electric drill
- 1/4" drill bit
- 1/8" drill bit
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Lay the shutter face up on a clean, flat surface — a sheet of plywood is ideal.
- Measure 2 inches down from the top and 2 inches up from the bottom, and mark a spot at the center of the stile. Drill a 1/4" diameter hole at each mark, plus two more holes in the stile at the center of the panel.
- Position the shutter on the house next to the window.
- Using a suitable marker, mark the mounting hole locations on the building.
-
Remove the shutter and, where marked, drill a 1/4" hole through the wood, vinyl or aluminum siding.
- Do not drill into the wall at this stage.
-
If the wall is wood:
- Drill a 1/8" diameter hole 1 3/4" deep into the wall.
-
If the wall is masonry or brick:
- You need a screw anchor. The anchor you buy determines the hole diameter — follow the anchor manufacturer’s instructions.
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Place the shutter back on the house and fasten it to the wall with the painted head screws provided.
- Do not over-tighten — the shutter may distort.
- We suggest a hand screwdriver rather than a power drill.
- Repeat the process for all remaining shutter panels.
For the warranty to stay in force, the shutter must be mounted using the hole positions shown in the diagram, and every fastener must go into the wall.
Painting
These shutters are not paintable unless you ordered the paintable version. Painting anything other than a paintable shutter will void the warranty.
Cleaning
Shutters clean up with mild dish soap and water, which is all they need to keep their finish.
Still stuck?
Call us on 888-790-7743 or email sales@decorativeshutters.com and we will talk you through it.