How to Install Deluxe Faux Wood Plantation Shutters

1. 1

   Fit the horizontal frame rails onto the corner joints already fastened to the vertical frame legs.

2. 2

   Drive the #6 x 3/4" painted head screws through the pre-drilled holes and tighten. If your shutter came pre-assembled, skip this and just remove the panel(s) from the frame.

3. 3

   Pre-drill three holes in each of the right and left vertical frames with the #8 countersink drill bit, placing the top and bottom holes 4" from the inside corners of the frame.

4. 4

   For multiple panels, also pre-drill holes at the center of the top and bottom frames.

• Outside mount options: on drywall, beyond the trim, or on the trim. Inside mount options include the standard frame and the Z frame.

1. 1

   Find the top of the frame: the top hinge is 2" below the top inside corner. The panels only fit with the top frame facing up.

2. 2

   Place the frame against the wall, centered around the opening, leaving 1/4" between the opening and the inside edge of the frame all around.

3. 3

   Single panel: screw a #8 x 3" painted head screw into the top of the hinged frame leg, line that leg up evenly along the side of the opening, and screw in the bottom of the leg.

4. 4

   Multiple panels: screw a #8 x 3" painted head screw into the top of the left frame leg, level the top frame, then screw a #8 x 3" screw into the top of the right frame leg.

5. 5

   Hang the panel(s) on the hinges and close them.

1. 1

   Find the top of the frame: the top hinge is 2" below the top inside corner. The panels only fit with the top frame facing up.

2. 2

   Place the assembled frame in the opening and center it. If the window is badly out of square, put shims between the frame and the jambs.

3. 3

   Hang the panel(s) on the hinges and close them.

4. 4

   Single panel: screw a #8 x 3" painted head screw into the top of the hinged frame leg. Make the gap between the frame and the wall equal on both sides, backing out and resetting screws as needed, then set the bottom screw on the same side.

5. 5

   Multiple panels: screw a #8 x 3" painted head screw into either top corner of the frame, level the frame, then set another screw at the top of the opposite frame leg.

1. 1

   Single panel: move the frame leg without hinges up or down until the panel opens and closes freely. Hold it there, set a #8 x 3" screw at the top of that leg, then the final screw at its bottom, and set the remaining frame screws as needed.

2. 2

   Multiple panels: sway the bottom frame left and right until the panels line up, then lightly mark the frame and wall with a pencil on the underside. The bottom frame should be close to, but not touching, the panels.

3. 3

   Open the panels, line the bottom frame up with the pencil marks and set a #8 x 3" screw.

4. 4

   Close the panels and lightly mark the top frame and wall, keeping the frame close to but not touching the panels. Open the panels, line the top frame up with the mark and set the screw.

5. 5

   Before setting the remaining screws in the legs, make sure the panels meet close to, but not touching, at the center. Mark the wall lightly next to the frame legs, line the frame up with the marks, then set the screws.

For small adjustments only, you can "stretch" the hinges to close the gap between the panels.

1. 1

   Open the panels and place the head of a screw or a hinge pin between the hinge flaps.

2. 2

   Carefully shut the panel until the hinge stretches slightly.

3. 3

   Repeat a little at a time until the panels have the gap you want, adjusting only the hinges where the gap needs closing.

• With butterfly hinges, put a putty knife against the inside of the stile before closing the panel so the pin or screw head doesn't damage the stile.
• This adjustment only closes the gap between panels.

1. 1

   Single panel: fasten the magnets at the top and bottom of the frame, close to the frame leg without hinges, with the 3/4" screws supplied. Panels under 2' tall can use one magnet at the center of the frame leg.

2. 2

   Multiple panels: fasten the magnets on the top and bottom frames where the panels meet, with the 3/4" screws supplied.

3. 3

   Lightly mark on the panel where the center of each magnet is.

4. 4

   Measure from the inside edge of the frame to the center of the magnet.

5. 5

   Using that measurement and your mark, fasten the magnet plate to the back of the panel (the side facing the frame) with the 1/2" screw supplied.

1. 1

   If your walls are white or light-colored, run white paintable caulk along the outside of both frame legs where they meet the wall.

2. 2

   If the shutter sits on a sill, caulk between the frame and the sill. Wipe away excess caulk with a damp cloth.

3. 3

   Inside mount with a 3-sided frame: screw the light stop to the sill between the frame legs with #8 x 3" painted head screws.

4. 4

   Open and close the louvers with the tilt rod to check that they move smoothly.