Exterior shutters can add a touch of charm and color to a home’s facade, but there are many reasons you might want to remove them. Perhaps you’re planning to paint your house, replace the siding, install new windows, or maybe the shutters themselves are faded, damaged, or simply no longer match your personal style. Whatever the reason, removing them is a common home improvement task that can instantly update your home’s appearance.
While it might seem like a simple job, there are a few different types of fasteners used to hold shutters in place, and knowing which kind you’re dealing with is key to a smooth removal process. Learning how to take shutters off a house without damaging the siding or the shutters is a straightforward project for any DIYer. This guide will walk you through the common methods and provide clear, step-by-step instructions.
Why Knowing How to Remove Shutters Is a Useful Skill
Knowing the proper shutter removal technique is important for preventing damage to your home’s siding. A careless approach with the wrong tools can lead to cracked vinyl, chipped wood, or holes in your exterior that can be difficult to repair. By understanding how to handle the different types of fasteners, you can take the shutters down cleanly and efficiently. This skill is essential for routine home maintenance, whether you’re planning to clean behind the shutters, paint them, or prepare the walls for a larger renovation project.
7 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Take Shutters Off a House
Step 1: Inspect the Fasteners to Determine the Type
Before you grab any tools, your first task is to get a close look at how your shutters are attached. Most modern vinyl shutters are held in place with plastic clips or plugs, often called “shutter-loks.” These will look like flat, colored circles that match the shutter. Older or wooden shutters might be attached with metal screws. Carefully examine the fasteners on one of your shutters to determine which type you have. The tool and method you use will depend entirely on whether you are dealing with plastic plugs or traditional screws.
Step 2: Gather the Necessary Tools and Safety Gear
Once you know what kind of fasteners you have, you can gather the right tools and safety equipment. If your shutters are held on with screws, you will simply need a drill with the appropriate driver bit (usually a Phillips head) or a screwdriver. For shutters attached with plastic shutter-loks, the job is a bit different. You will need a flat pry bar and a pair of sturdy wire cutters or tin snips. For shutters on an upper story, ensure you have a stable ladder. It’s always a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands.
Step 3: Removing Shutters with Screws
If your shutters are attached with metal screws, the removal process is very straightforward. Using your drill or screwdriver, simply back out each screw until the shutter is loose. It is a good idea to have a helper hold the shutter steady, especially if it is large or high up, to prevent it from falling once the last screw is removed. Work from the top down, removing the bottom screws last so the shutter remains supported. Once all the screws are out, you can carefully lower the shutter to the ground. This is the simplest shutter removal method.
Step 4: The Prying Method for Plastic Fasteners
This is the most common method for modern vinyl shutters and requires a bit more finesse. The plastic plugs, or shutter-loks, have barbs on the back that lock into the siding. The goal is to pry the shutter away from the house just enough to snip the plugs from behind. Carefully slide a flat pry bar between the shutter and the siding near one of the plugs. Gently pry the shutter away from the wall, creating a small gap. Be careful not to apply too much force, as this can crack the vinyl siding or window frame.
Step 5: Cut the Fasteners from Behind the Shutter
With a small gap created, you can now access the shank of the plastic plug behind the shutter. Use your wire cutters or tin snips to reach into the gap and snip the plug. You may need to work the pry bar around the fastener to get enough space to make the cut. Repeat this process for every plastic plug holding the shutter in place. Once all the fasteners have been cut, the shutter will come free from the wall. This is a core technique in learning how to take shutters off a house.
Step 6: Handle Stubborn Fasteners or Use the Drilling Method
Sometimes, there may not be enough space to get cutters behind the shutter. In this case, you can drill out the center of the plastic fastener. Select a drill bit that is slightly larger than the center hole of the plug. Carefully drill directly into the head of the fastener. This will destroy the head of the plug, allowing the shutter to pull free over the remaining shank. This method is effective but will make it impossible to reuse the fasteners. This approach is a key part of learning how to take shutters off a house when prying fails.
Step 7: Clean and Repair the Siding
Once the shutters are off, you will likely find a significant amount of dirt, cobwebs, and even insect nests behind them. This is a great opportunity to give your siding a thorough cleaning. Use a brush and a solution of mild soap and water to scrub the area clean. You will also have the shanks of the old plastic fasteners or the screw holes left in the siding. You can pull the remaining shanks out with pliers, paint them to match, or fill the holes with a color-matched exterior caulk or siding filler for a cleaner look.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When working on your siding, there are several common mistakes that you should avoid to ensure a successful and professional result. One frequent error is using harsh chemicals or abrasive tools for cleaning, as these can damage the surface of the siding. Always opt for mild cleaning solutions and non-abrasive brushes. Another mistake is failing to properly seal any holes or gaps left behind after removing old fasteners or fixtures.
Leaving these unsealed can allow moisture to seep in, potentially leading to mold, rot, or other long-term damage. Additionally, be cautious not to overtighten new fasteners, as this can cause warping or cracking of the siding. Finally, skipping regular inspections after repairs can lead to unnoticed issues over time, so it’s essential to periodically check the area for wear and tear. Taking care to avoid these pitfalls will help maintain your siding’s appearance and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Plugs That Hold Shutters on Called?
Those plastic fasteners are most commonly called shutter-loks or shutter fasteners. They are designed as one-way plugs with flexible barbs on the back. When pushed through a hole in the shutter and the siding, the barbs expand and lock the shutter firmly in place. They are designed for a permanent hold, which is why they usually need to be cut or destroyed for shutter removal.
How Do I Remove the Remaining Plastic Pieces from the Siding?
After you’ve cut the shutter free, the shank and barbed end of the fastener will remain in the siding. In most cases, you can grab the end of the shank with a pair of pliers or vice grips and pull it straight out. If it is stubborn, you may need to wiggle it back and forth gently to loosen it before pulling.
Can I Reuse My Shutters After Removing Them?
Yes, in most cases you can reuse your shutters. If they were attached with screws, removal is non-destructive. If they were attached with plastic shutter-loks and you carefully cut the plugs from behind, the shutters themselves should be undamaged. You will simply need to purchase new shutter-loks to reinstall them. If you had to pry or drill the heads off the fasteners, inspect the shutter for any damage before reinstalling.
What Is the Best Way to Fill the Holes Left in My Siding?
For vinyl siding, you can find color-matched siding caulk or filler at most hardware stores. This provides a clean, weatherproof seal. For wood or fiber cement siding, you can use a high-quality exterior wood filler, sand it smooth once it’s dry, and then prime and paint it to match the rest of the house.
Is It Better to Paint Shutters On or Off the House?
It is almost always better to paint shutters after taking them off the house. This allows you to easily clean them and prepare the surface properly. It also ensures you can get a clean, even coat of paint on all sides and edges without accidentally getting paint on your house’s siding or windows. Laying them flat to paint also helps prevent drips and runs.
Conclusion
The process of learning how to take shutters off a house is a manageable DIY task that can make a big difference in your home’s curb appeal and ease future maintenance. While it may seem daunting, understanding the type of fasteners you are dealing with is half the battle. With the right tools and a patient approach, you can remove any shutter without damaging your siding or the window frame.
Whether you’re preparing for a new coat of paint or a complete style change, you are now equipped with the knowledge to tackle this project with confidence. Taking on these tasks yourself not only saves money but also gives you a greater sense of pride in your home.