On 8/3/2012 10:21 AM, allowingtoo wrote:
> So - is this remotely possible? Is this just a dream? Am I crazy for
> even thinking it? Thanks, Laura
I'm going to be the contrarian on this issue, as thus far it appears I'm
the only one responding to this thread who has actually done what you
are wanting to do. ;)
Providing your husband has a table saw, and way to make loose tenons,
and the used shutters are wider than the new windows they're going to go
in, go for it!
As a builder, I can tell you that it is going to cost upwards of
$1500/window for custom Plantation Shutters, and virtually ALL
Plantation Shutters are _custom_, as there is really no "standard"
window size in the building industry.
What this means is that there is virtually NO market whatsoever for used
Plantation Shutters since, as you have found out, it is rare that you
can install used plantation shutters in existing windows unless you
build the house with windows sized to the used shutters before hand.
Most Plantations Shutters have an outside, _mitered_, frame. This
outside frame is very easy to disassemble and re-assemble as they made
in such a manner that they get their strength from the window opening
frame itself, after they have been installed.
*As long as the shutters themselves have to be made smaller*, it is a
simple matter to cut the stiles off cleanly on a table saw; shorten the
top, bottom and any intermediate rails; and use either a router, or
preferably a device like a Festool Domino, and use loose tenon to put
the shutter frame back together.
Shortening the louvers themseleves is a simple matter on the table saw,
then it's a matter of drilling a hole for the pivot pin, and
reinstalling in the frame before assembling the shutter frame.
Even were you to buy a Festool Domino, and you already have a table saw,
and you had fifteen windows to do, you could save roughly $20,000 by
resizing them ... that is a considerable incentive to give it a try, and
makes excellent economic sense.
In short, this is a doable project, one that will save _considerable_
money, and can be done by anyone with the tools mentioned above who has
a moderate amount of experience using them.
Since you're apparently getting them free, what's to lose by
experimenting on one of the windows before you do the entire bunch? I'm
betting that it will be much easier than those who are apparently
mystified by the relative complexity of the shutters are assuming
AAMOF, I saved well over $15k when I build my home by doing exactly what
you propose. Putting my money where my mouth is, below is a photo of
one, of my house full of Plantation Shutters, that I modified,, as
above, to fit the pictured window. You will note that it is shorter than
the window opening. This is a matter of taste. My original intention was
to make a frame for the top of each window, but my wife rather liked the
idea of an open "light" above the shutters, much like a transom, and we
even have some friends who incorporated that idea into their home.
Besides, it is simple matter to build a matching frame to fit that
opening in any number of esthetically pleasing designs.
https://picasaweb.google.com/111355467778981859077/EWoodShopJustStuff#5772817380539540402
Give a try on one of those free windows ...
--
www.eWoodShop.com
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)
http://gplus.to/eWoodShop