How to Build Board and Batten Shutters

Beneath My Heart
by Beneath My Heart

We just completed a makeover on a home near Nashville, Tennessee with Lowe's. It was a chance to give a home a fresh new look for spring after a very harsh winter. The home owner was wanting to add new shutters to their windows, so we built them some board and batten shutters.

Here is our supply list:

1×6 poplar boards

1×4 poplar boards

compound miter saw

wood glue

nail gun and nails (1 1/4″, 18 gauge finish nails)

tape measure

sanding sponges

stain (We used MinWax Dark Walnut.)

rubber gloves and cloths for staining

paint sticks to use as spacers between boards

Our Lowe's helpers cut the boards to length and then assembled the shutters.

(CLICK ON THE LINK to view a short video of the whole process.)

We used paint sticks as "spaces" between the 1x6 board pieces. Then used wood glue and a nail gun to attach the horizontal 1x4 pieces.

After the shutters were built, we sanded the edges, and stained the fronts and backs with MinWax Dark Walnut stain.

So easy, but so beautiful! Check out the complete process by clicking on the link below.


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Beneath My Heart
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  • BobC BobC on Aug 17, 2020

    Seems to me that the shutters appear to be non-functional. When it be better to be able to close them to protect the windows during a bad storm? To do so they would probably need some hinges pain locking mechanism. Good idea? Thanks. Bob

  • Lisa Spencer Lisa Spencer on Oct 31, 2021

    Where is the link to the video?????????????????

  • Dan67853167 Dan67853167 on Jun 30, 2022

    How do you then attach the shutters to the house?

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  • Ron Ron on Sep 05, 2023

    Should have stained the wood before assembly to make sure that the backside of the horizontals was stained, and the front boards where the horizontal is attached. Those areas will still allow moisture to penetrate the wood.

  • Clergylady Clergylady on Dec 19, 2023

    I have been helping with design inspiration on a remodel for a torn up older mobil home used as a rental. I’ve picked out colors ect. I’d like to build these with the salvaged 2x 6 boards from the front porch deck. I can trim off the old ends be I’ll paint it all black for a lovely contrast on silvery gray wood siding. It will really perk up the look across the front. I’ll use pallet boards for the cross pieces.

    The last renters pretty much destroyed the place. We’ve painted walls and ceilings, added new floors and click together vynal flooring, new bath tubs, new kitchen cabinets and counter tops, a new cabinet for a new sink in the master bath and all new surround with the new tub in the second bathroom. The master bath tub replaced a garden tub and added counter top on two sides around the new tub. New vynal bathroom floor coverings. New modern lighting in the kitchen. Painted the front and back doors and replaced part of the siding and gave the outside a fresh coat of paint. The shutters will be just the right trim for the outside. Cutting and trimming the juniper and lilacs and bed of wild roses has already helped the appearance. Rebuilding the front porch sides and deck looks good but was done for safety as well. It looke like a new home but lack something to make the outside look perfect. Shutters is it. Thanks.

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