How to Replace Plastic Window Shutters

  • 2-10 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50-500
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Plastic bag
Chisel
Hammer
Drill
1/4 inch drill bit
Soft-bristled brush
Damp rag
Caulking gun
Caulking compound
Pencil
Stepladder
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Plastic bag
Chisel
Hammer
Drill
1/4 inch drill bit
Soft-bristled brush
Damp rag
Caulking gun
Caulking compound
Pencil
Stepladder

Plastic window shutters are one of the most affordable options available on the market. Damages don’t arise easily on plastic shutters, however extreme weather conditions may cause rips or cracks. Prolonged exposure to the sun also causes the color to fade. The shutters may become brittle and break. When this occurs, it is best to remove the damaged shutters and replace them with new ones. Plastic shutters may be secured with screws. The screws are inserted through hinges attached onto the shutters and driven into the wall. However, some shutters make use of shutter plugs, which resemble plastic nails. Use the guide below to replace your shutters.

Step 1 – Position your Ladder

Place your ladder underneath the shutters, to enable you reach the top of the shutters comfortably.

Step 2 – To Remove Screws

Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the wall. Place all screws in a plastic bag. Remove the shutters, with attached hinges, from the wall.

Step 3 – To Remove Shutter Plugs

Insert the tip of your chisel behind the shutter, where the plug penetrates into the wall. Firmly tap your chisel from the back with a hammer. Maintain the action with the hammer, until the chisel cuts through the stem of the plug. Repeat this activity on all the other plugs. Place the shutters aside. Use a drill with a ¼ inch drill bit to remove the remnants of the plug from the wall.

Step 4 – Clean the Wall

Use a soft-bristled brush to clear dirt and debris from the attachment sites. Wipe all around the shutter opening with a damp rag, to remove dust. Fill the holes left by the screws and plugs with a caulking compound. This helps to weatherproof the wall.

Step 5 – Mark the Attachment Points

For shutter plugs, take a new shutter and position it against the wall. Use a pencil to mark all the attachment points where the plugs will go through the shutter, into the wall. Perform this on all the shutters. Smaller shutters usually require 4 plugs, while larger ones require 6.

Step 6 – Drill the Holes

It is easier to drill through the marked attachment points while the shutters are on the ground. Drill holes through all the shutters.

Step 7 – Insert the Fasteners

Ask a friend to hold the shutters in place for you against the wall. This allows you to drive in the required fasteners efficiently. If you intend to use screws, retrieve those removed in Step 2. Drill through the holes in the hinges, into the wall. Use a drill bit whose size is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws, to allow for a firm fit. Drive the screws through the hinges, into the wall, with the help of a screwdriver. Fasten all the shutters in this way. For shutter plugs, drill through the holes created in Step 6, into the wall. Try and attain a depth of about 3 ¼ inches. Insert the plug through the shutter, into the wall. Tap the plug from the back with a hammer, to secure it in place. Do this on all the shutters, and you're done.

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