oor shutters are versatile, add beauty

“ONE VERSATILE, sun- blocking
_dreatment you might consider for
your house is a set of shutters.

By Ron Gasbarro
Contributing Writer

-Most types provide a stylish and
- practical, way to deflect the sun‘s
rays.and allow ventilation at the
same time.

Shutters can be installed on
either the outside or the inside of
- windows.

Outside shutters are reminiscent
‘of horror movies — slamming and
crashing during a storm just before
the monster arrives.

’ But they-are also important dec-
_orative accents that can enhance the
‘value of your home.

‘Such exterior shutters, these
.. days, are made of plastic’ rather than
.wood, although no one can tell the
‘difference unless they touch them.

. Shutters for the inside of your
windows can take the place: of cur-
tains, and blinds, providing privacy
whilé allowing fresh air to watt
through the siats..-

They can be: ‘adjusted ¢ as s you,

Jike, flung open’ completely, or bolt-
ed up tightly:
Indoor’ shutters re handsome

: nid: warm, particularly on: the first :
floor: ‘Tf.they’ are double hung, you.”

can leave, the bottom. ones shut and
he: tops: ‘open. to ‘let. in light and
maximize your privacy — you can-
“not do that easily with drapes. Me

Shutters.can be‘useful/as‘room
ividers, providing privacy between
. kitchen -and a ‘living or dining :

This: is especially ‘critical ‘in
small: apartments, where a half:wall
r. pass-through’ separates: a‘small
kitchen, from the rest of the living
space. ».

The shutters. ‘can hide your...
nwashed’ pots ; and pans oF keep the.

irthday cake a surprise. ie

to make before ,

hanging a set of shutters is exactly
where to altach them: to the ‘win-
dow casings or to the window
jambs.

Casing installation is easier
because the shutter hanging strips
are simply screwed into the face of
ihe casings.

Jamb installation, conversely, is
preferred by professional installers
because it looks neater.

The shutters fit inside the win-
dow opening rather than protrude
into the room. The jambs must have
a flat surface at least one and one-
quarter inches wide to accommo-
date the hanging strips.

You can have custom shutters
built for your home. They can be

~expensive, but you will be saved

the task of measuring and installing
the shutters yourself. A task that

can result in shutters that do not-

hang properly. .

Custom-built shutters can be a
nifty selling point if you sell your
house.

People like the permanence of
indoor shutters. Drapes, while they
can be changed along with a room's:
decor,,are often as expensive as
shutters and are less likely to uni-
versally please the masses.

The most economical way to-
‘-have shutters is to buy the ready-
“made type at your home centre: and
‘trim them to fit,

Such shutters typically come in
widths from six to 15 inches and in

_lengths from 16 to 40 inches.

For the truest fit, measure your
windows at several different paints

along the length and width. This

compensates in the event your win-
dow is nota true rectangle.
Then use the smallest measure-

ments for. your installation.

Basically,,what you' want is a

- slight gap between the top, bottom

and sides so you can open und close -
the shutters. Follow the instructions

‘that come with the shutters.

,, In selecting the size that is right

‘for your window, know that you |

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Combine errands instead of using the c car
‘several times a day, plan trips to reduce’
vehicle use.

y Greater
Vancouver
Regional |
District

can trim anywhere from one-half
inch from the side and two inches
from the top and bottom of a pre-
made shutter without weakening
the joint.

Be careful when trimming shut-
ters: the saw can buckle and cut
your band. Use clamps to hold the
shutter to your work table.

After trimming the shutters,
sand the edges. Trim the hanging
strips to match the height of. the
panels.

At this point you might want to
stain the edges,

Consider this an experiment
because you may find it hard to
match the original tone. Test-stain
an inconspicuous area.

When you are ready to hang the
shutters, tape a penny near cach
hinge to allow for clearance, Install
the hanging strips making sure the
hinges are attached with the pin
side up.

Attach hinges to the shutter pan-

els and then hold the shutters in
position and check all clearances.

Once the panels are in place,
you can fine-tune by turning a
screw in the vertical and horizontal
adjustment channels.

After the shutters are cut and
ready to hang, install the knob and
latch. By this time, you will be
ready to’slim your shutters closed
and call it a day. .

— Distributed by Los Angeles
Times Syndicate.

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