How To DIY Wood Shutters For Practically Free

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Want to add farmhouse curb appeal without spending a small fortune? These DIY wood shutters were made from leftover pressure-treated decking, making them practically free—and such a simple way to give the exterior of our home a warm, finished look.

In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to build decorative board-and-batten shutters, protect the wood for outdoor use, and securely attach them to a brick exterior.

August 2026: This post has been updated with additional building tips, exterior wood options, and more details about how we attached the shutters to our brick home.

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Supplies and Tools for DIY Wood Shutters

Pressure-treated decking or exterior-grade 1×6 boards
Two exterior-grade crosspieces for each shutter
Tape measure
Pencil
Miter saw, or circular saw
Electric sander and sandpaper
Drill and drill bits
Exterior wood screws
Safety glasses
Dust mask or respirator
Gator Hide Topcoat (Exterior wood sealer, stain, or paint)
Concrete or masonry anchors for installation on brick

I repurposed pressure-treated decking left over from another project, which kept my cost extremely low. If you don’t have reclaimed decking, cedar, pressure-treated pine, or another exterior-grade lumber will also work. Your total amount of wood will depend on the number and size of the windows you’re dressing.

How to Build DIY Exterior Wood Shutters

I built these decorative exterior shutters using pressure-treated decking left over from another project. This is one of those times when my habit of saving scrap wood really paid off!

Pressure-treated lumber is a practical option for an outdoor project because it is designed to resist rot, insects, and moisture damage. You can also use cedar or another exterior-grade wood if you’re purchasing new boards. Whatever wood you choose, make sure it is suitable for outdoor use and protect it with an exterior-rated sealer, stain, or paint.

DIY Wood Shutters at a Glance

Project type: Decorative board-and-batten exterior shutters
Skill level: Beginner-friendly
Estimated time: A few hours, plus drying time
Number of boards: Three vertical boards and two crosspieces per shutter
Cost: Varies depending on the wood and finish; mine were practically free because I used leftover decking
Important: These shutters are decorative and are not designed to open and close over the windows.

STEP 1

Measure and Cut the Shutter Boards

Measure the height of the window, including the exterior trim you want the shutters to frame. Use that measurement to cut three equal-length vertical boards for each shutter.

You will need six vertical boards to make one pair of shutters—three boards for the left side of the window and three for the right. Measure each window separately because window sizes can vary slightly, even on the same house.

Before cutting all your boards, hold one beside the window to make sure you’re happy with the finished height. Remember the old saying: measure twice and cut once. It has saved more than a few pieces of lumber around here!

Sizing tip: My shutters are decorative, so I chose a width that looked balanced beside the windows. Lay three boards side by side and measure their combined width before assembling them. You can leave a small, even gap between the boards if you prefer a more defined board-and-batten look.

Person cutting pressure-treated wood boards with a miter saw for DIY exterior shutters.

STEP 2

Sand and Prepare the Wood

Because I used older decking that had been exposed to the weather, I sanded each board to remove the rough surface, smooth the edges, and bring out more of the natural wood grain.

Outdoor wood often develops a gray appearance as sunlight and moisture break down its surface. This discoloration isn’t necessarily mold, although mildew can sometimes grow on damp wood. Clean away any visible dirt or mildew and allow the boards to dry completely before sanding.

Always sand pressure-treated or reclaimed wood outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Wear safety glasses and a properly fitted dust mask or respirator, and clean up the sawdust when you’re finished. Protect those lungs!

Not sure which sander to use? Take a look at my honest guide to choosing the best electric hand sander for furniture and DIY wood projects.

Sanding reclaimed pressure-treated boards before assembling DIY exterior wood shutters.

STEP 3

Lay Out the DIY Wood Shutters

Arrange the Boards and Cut the Crosspieces

Place three vertical boards side by side on a clean, flat surface. Line up the top and bottom edges and check that all three boards are the same length. This dry fit gives you a chance to catch uneven cuts before reaching the point of no return. 😏

Decide whether you want the boards to sit tightly together or have a small gap between them. If you prefer visible gaps, place equal-size wood spacers between the boards to keep the spacing consistent.

Measure the total width of the three arranged boards. Using that measurement, cut two horizontal crosspieces for each shutter. These crosspieces will hold the vertical boards together and create the simple board-and-batten design.

Quick tip: Assemble both shutters for the same window at the same time. This makes it easier to match the board spacing and crosspiece placement so the finished pair looks balanced.

Three pressure-treated boards and two horizontal crosspieces arranged to make a DIY board-and-batten shutter.

STEP 4

Predrill the Wood Shutter Crosspieces

Mark and Predrill the Screw Holes

Position the two horizontal crosspieces across the three vertical boards. Make sure they are straight and placed the same distance from the top and bottom of the shutter.

Mark the screw locations where each crosspiece overlaps a vertical board. Predrill through the crosspieces at each marked location before adding the screws. This is especially important when working with older, dry, or reclaimed lumber because it helps prevent the wood from cracking or splitting.

Choose a drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of your exterior wood screws. The pilot holes should guide the screws while still allowing the threads to grip the wood securely.

Helpful tip: Clamp the crosspieces in place before drilling so they don’t shift. Also, check the screw length before attaching the boards—the screws should hold both pieces securely without coming through the back of the shutter.

Predrilling screw holes in the wooden crosspieces to prevent the DIY shutter boards from splitting.

STEP 5

Attach the Wood Shutter Crosspieces

Secure the Shutter Boards Together

Double-check that the three vertical boards are straight, evenly spaced, and lined up at the top and bottom. Position the horizontal crosspieces the same distance from each end of the shutter so the design looks balanced.

Secure each crosspiece to all three vertical boards using exterior-rated wood screws. Drive the screws firmly into the wood, but avoid overtightening them because that can strip the holes or damage the boards.

Once everything is attached, turn the shutter over and make sure none of the screws have come through the back. Repeat the same process to assemble the second shutter, matching the spacing and crosspiece placement of the first.

Design tip: Place the completed shutters side by side before finishing them. Small differences in the crosspiece placement will be much easier to correct now than after the shutters are sealed and installed.

Attaching horizontal crosspieces to three wood boards with exterior screws to assemble a DIY shutter.

Step 6

Apply an Exterior Wood Sealer

Pressure-treated lumber is designed to resist rot and insect damage, but it can still absorb moisture and gradually develop a weathered gray appearance. Because I wanted to preserve the warm, natural look of the wood, I applied a water-resistant clear topcoat.

For this original project, I used three thin coats of Gator Hide. It deepened the color slightly while allowing the natural knots and wood grain to remain visible.

You can also use another clear exterior-rated wood sealer, exterior stain, or outdoor paint. Make sure the product is intended for exterior wood, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for preparation, application, drying time, and the number of coats.

Before sealing pressure-treated wood: New pressure-treated lumber may contain too much moisture to accept a finish immediately. Allow it to dry before applying a sealer, stain, or paint. To check, sprinkle a little water on the surface. If the water soaks into the wood rather than beading on the surface, the boards are generally ready to be finished.

Clear exterior sealer applied to DIY wood shutters to protect the natural wood grain from moisture.

Step 7

How to Attach Wood Shutters to Brick

Install the Shutters on the Exterior

Once the exterior finish has dried or cured completely, position the shutters beside the window. Use a level to make sure each shutter is straight, and mark the installation holes before drilling.

We attached our decorative wood shutters by drilling through the front of the shutters and securing them into the mortar joints with concrete anchors. We avoided drilling directly into the brick because holes in mortar are generally easier to repair if the shutters are removed or replaced later.

Use a masonry bit and the appropriate drill or hammer drill to create the pilot holes. Follow the anchor manufacturer’s directions for the correct drill-bit size, hole depth, and installation method. Secure the shutters firmly without overtightening the fasteners.

After installation, I covered the visible screw heads with a finish that blended with the wood, making them much less noticeable.

Important: Exterior surfaces and installation requirements vary. Brick, stone, stucco, wood siding, and vinyl siding may require different anchors or mounting methods. Choose fasteners rated for your exterior surface and the weight of the shutters. If you’re uncertain about drilling into your home’s exterior, consult an experienced contractor.

Installation tip: Ask someone to hold the shutter while you check its position from a distance. A shutter can look perfectly straight when you’re standing beside it but slightly uneven when viewed from the yard.

Finished DIY wood shutters securely installed beside a window on a painted brick home.

The Finished DIY Exterior Shutters

What a difference a few pieces of leftover wood made! The natural wood shutters added warmth and contrast against our painted brick while giving the windows a more finished, modern farmhouse look.

Combined with the updated landscaping, this simple project gave the front of our home a welcoming boost in curb appeal—and I especially loved that I made the shutters with wood we already had.

These DIY wood shutters are simple enough for a beginner and can make a surprisingly big difference to a home’s exterior. Whether you use leftover decking as I did or purchase new exterior-grade lumber, the basic board-and-batten design is easy to customize for your windows.

Do you prefer natural wood shutters, or would you paint them to coordinate with your home? Leave me a comment below—I’d love to hear what you’re planning.

Thanks for joining me for another DIY project. Until next time, keep creating beautiful things for your home.

xo, Do

More DIY Curb Appeal Ideas

Once you start improving the exterior of your home, it’s hard to stop at just one project! These simple DIY curb appeal ideas coordinate beautifully with natural wood shutters and can help give your home a more finished, welcoming appearance.

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