DIY security shutters are a great way to create physical barriers to prevent unwanted entry to your home, business, or storefront. While most houses have strong, rigid doors with heavy-duty locks, windows are rarely well secured. This is concerning because 23 percent of burglars enter through first-floor windows.
Overview of The Steps I’ll Go Through
- Measure the windows or doors accurately to ensure that the shutters fit properly.
- Check if the surface where the shutters will be installed is strong enough to support their weight.
- Gather all the necessary tools and materials before beginning the installation, including your drill, screws, anchors, and any other hardware specified by the manufacturer.
- Consider hiring a professional if you are unsure about your ability to install the shutters correctly and safely.
In general, installing security shutters requires drilling holes, attaching brackets to the wall, and then hanging the shutters on the brackets.
The process can be time-consuming and requires patience, attention to detail, and a good understanding of the instructions.
Let’s get started.
Materials Needed
Before you start making DIY Security Shutters, there are some materials that you will need. Some of these you can find in your toolbox, while others you will need to buy from the market.
Here is a list of materials needed.
- Wood
- Shutter Hinges and Latches
- A hammer
- A drill
- Fixings for your wall type (if required)
- Measuring tape.
Measure Your Windows
In this step, you measure the length and breadth of your windows using your measuring tape and take notes.
The Security Shutters will be a little larger than the windows.
Add 2 to 5 inches on either side of the lengths you measured (at least 4 inches in total to both length and breadth) and note the numbers for the dimensions.
Buy the Right Wood
Another reason one might want to build Security Shutters themselves instead of buying is the assurance of quality.
The Window Security Shutters need to be strong to serve their purpose. Hence, choosing the right wood is critical to building reliable Security Shutters.
You need strong and durable wood. Since Window Shutters are more vulnerable to breaking by bending, you need wood with high bending strength. Hickory, Yellow Birch, and Hard Maple are common woods with such specifications. (1, 2, 3)
If you are familiar with woodwork, you might build the shutter panels. Alternatively, you may buy ready-made panels from the market instead.
Whatever you decide, buy the right wood that is strong and durable enough to endure rain, sunlight, and any break-in attempts.
Buy the Right Hinges
Once you have bought or built a wooden shutter panel, you will need hinges to install them. Before you buy hinges for your panels, it is important to consider some things.
The first thing is, of course, strength. A strong panel is no good if the hinges are weak and the shutter panel comes off easily.
One thing that can increase the strength of the hinges is the material. Make sure the hinges are made of high-quality steel. The steel must also be rust-resistant, especially for outside mounted Security Shutters, or it will get rusted by the rain.
Furthermore, hinges that support a larger and higher number of screws will hold onto the wall tighter than those that do not.
Latches
Hinges and Latches come in pairs. As with a strong hinge, you also need a latch with equivalent strength. Take the same considerations for the hinges and latches to ensure the shutter frame stays in place.
Installation
Installing these shutters depends on the type of shutter you are considering and your dimensions. We can’t give you a one size fits all installation guide since these vary so much. If you are trying to install some premade builds like the ezyfit roller shutters, usually the documentation for these is pretty good.
To Buy or To Build? (Advantages & Disadvantages)
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying ready-made Security Shutters and building DIY Security Shutters yourself.
Some of the major advantages and disadvantages of both are discussed below.
Advantaged of Buying Ready-Made Security Shutters
- If you choose to buy ready-made security shutters from the market, you will have a lot of variety in terms of design. The designs of hinges and latches might also be more consistent with the designs of shutter panels.
- Buying ready-made Security Shutters does not require much hard work, and they are easy to install.
Disadvantages of Buying Ready-Made Security Shutters
- Retailers are incentivized to choose the cheapest quality of materials; hence, ready-made Security Shutters have no guarantee of being strong and durable.
- DIY Security Shutters might focus more on design than quality, costing them a lot while not being adequate to provide security.
- The materials used may deteriorate with continuous exposure to sunlight and rain. Their low-quality materials might leave your windows vulnerable to potential break-ins.
- Ready-made Security Shutters might not fit your windows perfectly, making them less secure and less aesthetic for your windows.
- Ready-made Security Shutters may cost significantly more than DIY Security Shutters.
Advantaged of Building DIY Security Shutters
- If you choose to build, you can choose quality materials for your Security Shutters that are both strong and durable.
- With the right measurements on your windows, you can build Security Shutters that fit your windows perfectly.
- They can save you much money since they cost significantly less than ready-made Security Shutters.
Disadvantages of Building DIY Security Shutters
- You might be unable to match the design complexity of ready-made Security Shutters with a DIY Security Shutter.
- DIY Security Shutters might take a lot of hard work to build and install.
Types of Security Shutters
There are two security shutters for windows, one mounted inside and one mounted outside. Both of these types are valid options depending on your preference.
Outside mount Security Shutters keep burglars from reaching the windows in the first place and hence might be able to protect the windows better.
Inside mounted Security Shutters, however, might be easier to install and close. In an emergency, mounted Security Shutters can be closed much more easily and quickly than outside-mounted ones.
DIY Security Shutters are an excellent choice for people who are looking for minimalist and quality window security shutters at an affordable price.
This article provides a step-by-step guide to making DIY Security Shutters.
Wrapping Up
Building your security shutters is one of the best ways to save money. Since they are so easy to build, this is one of the most common do-it-yourself projects for a good reason.
References
(1) Hickory – https://www.britannica.com/plant/hickory-plant
(2) Yellow Birch – https://www.britannica.com/plant/yellow-birch
(3) Hard Maple – https://www.britannica.com/plant/maple-tree
