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Installing your shutters isn’t a difficult process
at all. The key here is to work with shutters that
are specifically built for each individual window
opening in conjunction with detailed instructions.

Many companies that install shutters will tell
customers that the shutters need to be installed
by a certified installer. This isn’t the case,
as you can install your shutters like a pro with
no experience at all.

Measuring your shutters
To properly install shutters to a window opening,
you’ll need to measure. First, you’ll need to
determine if the shutters will be mounted to the
inside or the outside of the window opening.

Inside mount installation
The preferred means of installation is to mount
shutters directly to the window jamb inside of the
window opening. This method is generally cleaner
than mounting to the outside of the window and
it doesn’t require additional hang strips or frame
strips. Keep in mind, the window must be somewhat
square and have a solid jamb for you to attach
the screws to.

To determine the window depth, measure from the
front plane of the window back to the nearest
obstruction that’ll prevent the louvers from
rotating. If you prefer, the company you are
ordering from can also tell you the window depth
for the style of shutters you order.

On occasion, a supplier of shutters will offer
a second inside mounting method that uses rear
hanging strips concealed behind the shutter
panels that will allow adjustment up, down, left,
and right for easier alignment. This method
is ideal if the window is out of square or if
it has a drywall opening without a solid wood
jamb.

Outside mount installation
Outside mount installations use frames that attach
to the wall or existing trim just to the outside
of the opening of the window. Normally, the
frame will surround the shutter panels on three
or four sides, depending on if a lower still
exists.

If you go with a cafe type shutter style, the
hang strips are used on either side of the
shutter panels. The frame or hang strips will
screw directly to the wall or trim, and the
shutter hinge to the frame or the hanging strips.

Always play it safe and measure with a steel tape
measure, which will give you the most accurate
measurements. Don’t attempt to measure with a
fabric tape or yard stick - as this will lead
you to a poor installation.

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Measuring
The first thing to do, is to determine the position
of the mini blinds, deciding if they will be inside
or outside of the window. Inside mounting will look
more customized, although outside mounting will
provide better control of lighting.

For inside frame mounting, measure the width between
the points where the brackets will be placed; top,
middle, and bottom. Record the narrowest of the
measurements you receive. Now, measure the length
from the top inside casing of the windowsill. At
least 1 inch of flat surface will be needed on the
inside casing in order to attach the brackets.

For outside frame mounting, you’ll need to measure
the overall width of the area to be covered. Hang
your mini blinds outside of the frame if there is
less than 1″ of flat surface on the inside casing.
The measurement should overlap the window by at
least 1 1/2″ on each side.

Installation

1. Determine if you want inside or outside
mounting, and measure your window accordingly.
2. After you have purchased the correct
size of mini blinds, remove the window stop from
the top of the window on the window casing.
3. Screw the brackets that came with your
blinds to the side window casing at the top, using
either two or three screws per bracket.
4. With the wand on the left and the lift
cord on the right, slide the mini blinds into the
brackets you just installed.
5. Once you have the mini blinds in place,
secure the caps over the brackets.
6. If the blinds are too long, remove the
slats from the bottom of them, as this should help
to get them to the appropriate height.

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Installing exterior shutters to a window is a quick
and easy way to add style and flair to the outside
of a home. Both historical and modern houses will
benefit from the timeless accent of having exterior
shutters. As with all types of home improvements,
the quality and longevity of the exterior shutters
should be evaluated before you make a purchase.

The exterior window shutters for your home are
available in many different shapes and materials.
Vinyl or wood shutters are easily available at most
home improvement stores, and they can also be a
cost effective option. You can also make wooden
shutters operable with functional hardware.

Exterior shutters can also be made out of several
types of wood. The best wod to use is cedar, as
it offers outstanding durablity and resistance to
decay. Cedar also provides long service with minimal
maintenance in applications involving mud, silk,
window sahes, fencing, poles, and even exterior
shutters.

The tannin oil in ceder is what really makes it an
ideal wood for exterior shutters. It will prevent
moisture penetration - and bugs hate it. Keep in
mind, exterior shutters shouldn’t be left unprotected.
It is however, best to finish the shutters before
you install them, so that all surfaces can be
fully covered.

The ideal base for exterior shutters is a primer
coat of oil base primer that is tinted as close to
the final color as possible. The oil will penetrate
into the wood, giving better protection. For the
best results in painting, you should always consult
a professional painting company.

You can mount exterior shutters to your home with
a 1/2″ spacer between the back of the panels and
the building to allow ventilation. If you aren’t
using functional hardware, you should use rust proof
screws that sink flush to the wood. Once you
have finished the installation, simply paint over
the heads of the screws.

By having on opaque finish painted on the wood, it
will prevent light rays from penetrating the finish
and breaking down wooden fibers of your exterior
shutters. If you choose, you can also stain
exterior shutters.

Anytime you are staining shutters, you should use
finishing products that are designed specifically
for exterior use, and be prepared to do proper
maintence on your shutters to keep them looking good
all the time.

Exterior shutters will add color and style to the
outside of your home, making them a purchase you
can’t go wrong with. Wooden exterior shutters are
the most popular and best to use - making them
something you truly must have for your home.

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A lot of companies claim to sell custom shutters,
although they may actually be selling customized
interior shutters. Customized types of shutters
will start as pre-built individual stock size
shutter panels, which are then cut down and hinged
together to achieve a specific size of shutter.

This will generally result in shutters that are a
poor fit for the windows of your home. The
shutters aren’t proportional to the window size
and depending on how much of it was trimmed, the
panels themselves may also be compromised.

Synthetic shutters on the other hand, normally
use pre-made stiles, rails, and louvers, then cut
them to size for quick production. This can also
result in an improper fit and components that
aren’t in proportion to the window.

Other companies out there sell custom made shutters,
which are shutters specifically made from the start
for each individual window. Even though this may
sound very nice, the results are normally those
you wouldn’t want to display on your home. With
your home being very important, the last thing
you want is shoddy shutters.

Custom made shutters are fabricated so that all
stiles and rails can be uniformed throughout the
house or office. Even though they claim the
custom made shutters are perfectly made for
your windows, it generally isn’t the case

When you go out and purchase shutters, you should
always avoid companies that sell customized types
of shutters. Instead, you should use the old
fashioned method and measure what you need,
then go out and buy.

This way, you’ll know exactly what you need to
buy. You can select the shutters you like the
best, even those that match the interior or
exterior of your home. Before you know it,
you’ll have the shutters you’ve always wanted -
your way.

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At some point in time, all of us have come across
mini blinds at the local home improvement center.
They look really nice sitting there, although
no one wants to spend a few days removing the
dust from them. Regardless of what you may hear
or think, it doesn’t always have to be this way.

Detail oriented
It will probably seem obvious, but you should
close the slats prior to dusting. Weekly blind
dusting is the best way to go, using a lamb’s
wool duster, as lamb’s wool will naturally attract
dust and can help prevent buildup as well.

If lamb’s wool isn’t available, a paintbrush
may also do the trick. Make sure you place
some towels underneath the blinds to catch any
excess dust. If you want to be thorough, you
can also take the blinds down and clean them
in your bathtub.

To remove the grease from the blinds, an all
purpose cleaner can be used. Spray the blinds
good, then let the cleaner work on them for a
few minutes. Then, wipe the cleaner off with
a soft cloth, although rinsing the cloth will
make it even more effective. To clean the other
side of the blinds, flip it over and do the same
thing as mentioned above.

Fast and simple
This one is simple - simply use an old pair of
cotton gloves to clean your blinds. Slip the
gloves on, dip your fingers into a solution
of 1 teaspoon ammonia and 1 quart water, then
run your fingers through the mini blinds.

If you prefer, you can also use the vaccuum
cleaner hose attachments. You can even use
the vaccuum cleaner without having to remove
the blinds. Putting a dryer sheet on the
blinds will remove any static so that dust
will no longer be attracted to the blinds.

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The Internet has become a world of opportunity for
home buyers over the years, giving them new and
improved ways to buy interior shutters. With the
Internet by your side, you can find hundreds of
shutters that you can buy with just a few clicks of
your mouse.

The ease of use is the most important feature for
online companies when it comes to interior window
shutters. Websites that are poor in design and
difficult to navigate are of little use to potential
customers. Good shutter websits should display
navigation choices on every page, including choices
for construction material, styles, finishes, price,
measuring, and the ability to buy shutters.

The education about window shutters is also a very
important feature. Good shutter sites should welcome
the questions you have and supply you with the
information you need. Sites should also describe
all of the information relating to their shutters,
including the material used to produce the shutters,
and the exact sizes of such components.

When you buy your interior shutters online, the
website should provide measuring instructions that
are easy to obtain. The company should also offer
assistance if you need it. If the company doesn’t
offer advice or instructions that are easily
available to you, you should take your business
somewhere else.

Anytime you buy your interior shutters online, you
should always take the necessary time to research
and make sure you getting exactly what you want -
for the right price. You don’t want to rush into
buying your shutters, as you could easily sacrifice
quality or price. Therefore, always take your time,
think about what you are buying, and be sure to
compare what one website offers to another one.

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Even though there is a lot of value in installing
high quality interior wood window shutters,
they can sometimes still be too expensive for
certain applications. There are some alternatives
that include poly, pvc, or even vinyl shutters
that are less expensive although much less
attractive and look cheaper in comparison.

For quality at an affordable cost, you should
look for a company that sells individual
wholesale discount wood shutter panels that can
be installed in any type of configuration.
These types of shutters are also referred to
as DIY, or Do It Yourself shutters.

When you shop for individual shutter panels at
a discount price, there are a few things you
should keep in mind. The most important factor
is the material that is used to make the
interior shutter panels.

Basswood is the best wood for shutters, as
it has the best characteristics and it’s a
straight hard wood with very little distortion.
Basswood also offers a fine, uniform texture
with an indistinct grain, which makes it
ideal for staining or painting.

Before you actually order the discount panels,
it’s always best to determine how you will
mount your shutters. Sometimes, it is
necessary to use hanging strips to attach
shutters to the outside of the window opening.
Reputable companies will provide information
about installation methods so you can decide
which way is best to install your specific
type of window shutter.

Anytime you buy budget shutters, you should
always do your research first. There are some
brands that are better than others, which is
why you should research the types of shutters
you are interested in. With a little bit of
your time and effort, you could quite possibly
end up with shutters at a perfect price which
will add more color and style to your home
than you ever thought possible.

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