Installing DIY Shutters

Installing your bespoke shutters needn’t take a professional. With our step-by-step shutter installation guide, you’ll have them up in no time.

What you’ll need

  • Electric drill
  • Small hammer or rubber mallet 
  • Spirit level 

Optional extra's

  • Decorators caulk
  • Wedges or shims
  • Specialised wall fixings (ie. specific rawl plugs) 
Drill Mallet CS Kraken
Hardware Kit

Preparation

It’s a good idea to make some space before you get started. Then, unpack your shutter blinds near the window and inside the box you will find the frame, panels, and hardware kit.

We also recommend that you flatten out one of the panel boxes to protect your floor during assembly.

Need a hand with installation? We’re always on hand to help you get the perfect fit. Just click the chat icon on the bottom right and we’ll get you well on your way.

Step 1 - Assemble the frame

Remove the cover strips and place the frame sides face down on the floor. The frame sides are stamped on the mitred end to indicate which side it is (‘T’ is “top”, ‘R’ is “right”, ‘L’ is “left”, and ‘B’ is “bottom"). If you have ordered café-style shutters, you will not have a top frame piece.

Once you have laid your frame sides on the floor and in place, use the plastic hoffman keys to hold the frame together. If you need to, use your hammer or mallet to tap them into position, remember to cover the area with a piece of cardboard or cloth. This will protect the frame and your flooring.

Assemble The Frame

Assemble the frame

Back Of Frame

Back of frame

Ordered tier on tier shutters? If so, and you have a horizontal within the configuration, fix this in place now using the screws provided.

Back Of T Post

T-post or t-bar

Insert The T Post

Fix it with screws

If you have ordered a large frame, the may be supplied separately depending on the product range. If so, attach it to the back of the frame now.

Step 2 - Position the frame

Take your assembled frame, offer it up to the window, and position it where you took your measurements. Check all sides using a spirit level. If needed, pack the frame with wedges, shims, or a piece of cardboard to hold it in place. This will ensure your window shutters are perfectly aligned, providing that all important perfect finish.

installing window shutters

Offer it up

Wedges Or Shims To Level

Get it level

Start by fixing a few screws at a time, remembering to check that the frame stays level and plumb after each one is fastened. Don’t fully tighten the screws just yet.

Screw In The Frame

Screw in the frame

installing a window shutter

Check its level

Fitting shutters for a bay window? Don’t worry – the process is very similar. Simply position each frame over each section of the bay, working from left to right, before starting to hang the panels.

Step 3 - Panels

Line up the first panel to attach it to the frame. You can tell the panels are the right way up if the slats close fully when tilted upwards. Berkeley and San Jose shutters will have a visible “mousehole” at the top of the panel.

Once aligned, drop in the hinge pins to connect the hinges, and repeat this process for any remaining panels.

Hanging The Panels

Hang the panels

Hinge Pins

Drop in hinge pins

Step 4 - Securing

Once the panels are hung, it’s time to tighten everything up. Check that you’re happy with how the panels are hanging, opening, and closing. Be sure to double-check that the panels aren’t clashing with your frame when opening and closing.

If needed, you can adjust the hinges on the frame until you’re happy. Then, insert the hinge locking screws.

Hinge Locking Screws

Tighten screws

Hinge Locking Screws 2

Hinge locking scew

Now, insert any remaining frame screws and tighten everything up. Remember to check the operation of the panels as you go.

If you’re installing plantation shutters on a bay window, you can screw the adjoining frames to one another for additional stability.

Step 5 - Finishing

You’re almost done. Now, pop your cover strips back into the frame. If you have a T-bar you may find that cutting the cover strip, allows easier installation of the cover strip around it.

For a seamless finish, run some decorator’s caulk around the frame to disguise any gaps.

Refit The Cover Strips

Insert the cover strips

Caulk In The Frame

Finish with caulk

And that’s it. Now all you have to do is sit back and revel in the transformation!

Now that you’ve seen how straightforward the process is, ready for your next set? Shop the range today.

Shutter installation FAQs

How do I get the panels to hang level?

Check the frame is level and plumb using a spirit level on the front and inside of the frame. It’s common for window recesses or frames to not be completely square. In such cases, you may need to use wedges or shims.

If the frame screws are overtightened, it can pull the frame out of shape, so you can also try loosening some of the frame screws.

There is an adjustment in the frame hinges, so try sliding them up and down to see if that resolves the issue.

If the panels are dropping at the bottom corners further from the frame, try packing out the lower frame hinges – using the hinge packers supplied – to give it some extra lift.

My panels aren’t sitting flush with the frame. How do I fix this?

Try pulling or packing the corner of the frame forward to counteract this. Usually, if a panel is kicking out at the bottom, pulling, or packing one of the top corners will sort this (and vice versa).

What if the screws aren’t long enough to attach the build-out?

We recommend countersinking the screw hole to resolve this. Countersinking a screw means creating a small, conical hole or depression so that the head of the screw sits flush with – or slightly below – the surface when it's driven in.

Should I use rawl plugs?

If you’re drilling into brick, concrete, or plasterboard, we advise using suitable rawl plugs.

How do I conceal the gaps?

If you’re fitting your shutter within a recess, it’s always advisable that the frame is a few millimetres smaller, the whole way around. We recommend using decorator’s caulk – or silicone sealant in a wet room – to finish off the installation.

My slats feel tight/loose. How do I fix this?

Locate the tension screw hole in the side of the shutter panel. Each run of slats has a hole like this. To adjust the tension, simply hold the slats, and use a screwdriver to either loosen or tighten the slats.