How to Install Raised Panel Vinyl Shutters

Place the raised panel shutter onto a flat drilling surface, face-up. Position shutter hinges on the edges of the shutter intended for mounting against the window, the right edge for the left shutter and the left edge for the shutter for placement to the right of the window. Set the hinges so that one hinge is positioned 1 inch from the top of the shutter and the other is 1 inch from the bottom. Only the flat part of the hinge should be against the edge, with the pin lying beneath the shutter edge surface to allow free movement when opening and closing the shutter. Mark the mounting holes from the hinges onto the shutter edge with a pencil. If the shutter is longer than 55 inches, then place an additional hinge at the center of the edge.

Drill holes through the hinge holes in the shutter edge using your drill with an 1/8 inch drill bit. Place the hinges back against the shutter and then screw them into place using vinyl window screws.

Place a ladder against the wall of your home if necessary to reach the window next to which you’re installing the shutters. Position the shutter onto the window edge with the hinges flat against the window frame. The pin should lie against the edge of the frame to allow for movement. Use a straightedge to ensure that the top of the shutter is level with the top of the window frame. Mark the position of each hinge hole onto the window frame using a pencil. Remove the shutter and set it down. Drill into the window frame about 1-1/2-inches deep at each penciled mark for the shutter fasteners.

Place the raised panel shutter back against the wall with the holes in the shutter hinges aligned with the window frame holes. Push a shutter fastener through each of the hinge holes and into the pre-drilled holes until the nail bottoms out. Drive the nails further into the frame with a hammer until they sit flush against the shutter face.

Open the shutter fully on its hinge until the outside edge is against the wall beside the window. Mark the position of the base of the shutter on the wall with the pencil about 2-inches from the outer edge of the shutter. Close the shutter.

Position a shutter dog against the wall so that the small pivot in the center lies just beneath the marked shutter base. A shutter dog is a small metal piece, usually in the shape of an S-hook, which pivots upward to hold an open shutter in place, and downward to allow you to close the shutter. Mark the mounting holes in the shutter dog onto the wall with a pencil, and then remove the shutter dog.

Drill 1 and a 1/2-inch pilot holes into the wall at the marked locations. Place the shutter dog back into position and then mount it using the shutter fasteners. Open the shutter and pivot the head of the shutter dog over it, holding it in the opened position.

Repeat the mounting process for a second raised panel shutter on the other side of the window, using the straightedge to make certain it's level with the frame as well.