Home Improvement Ideas Home Exteriors Curb Appeal Ideas, Makeovers and Photos How to Install Shutters Installing shutters is an easy home improvement project that will change the look of your home entirely. Plus, it only involves one power tool! We'll show you how it's done with our easy-to-follow steps. By Hannah Bruneman Hannah Bruneman Hannah is a former editorial associate at BHG.com. In her 5 years at DotDash Meredith, her contributions focused on home renovation and decor trends. Her work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Southern Living, and more.Hannah began specializing in home decor and renovation trends while working under multiple Better Homes and Gardens special-interest publications, including magazines like Storage, Do It Yourself, Refresh, and Secrets of Getting Organized.Hannah received her BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from Drake University. She graduated in 2016 with a focus on Magazine Journalism. During her time at BHG.com, Hannah worked on photoshoots, where she created DIY crafts and completed beginner- to intermediate-level home improvement projects. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on August 23, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Project Overview Working Time: 2 hours Total Time: 2 hours Skill Level: Kid-friendly Shutters can seriously transform a home's appearance and add major curb appeal in just a few hours. Plus, you can easily swap them for a different design, size, or color as your preferences change. The best part? Installation is simple. Plastic shutters come with inexpensive fasteners that tap right into your home's exterior; there's only one power tool involved, too. Learn how to install shutters on your home for a quick weekend makeover with our step-by-step tutorial. Before installing, learn how to paint your shutters. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools 1 Measuring tape 1 Pencil 1 Cordless drill 1 1/4-inch drill bit 1 Hammer Materials 1 Shutters 1 Shutter fasteners Instructions Make Measurements First, have a partner hold a shutter up to the window. Step back so you can visualize the spacing as you desire. Once satisfied, mark with a pencil where the shutter will go, including the height and distance from window trim. Drill Pilot Holes Next, drill pilot holes in both the shutters and your home's exterior. Use the 1/4-inch drill bit to predrill holes along each shutter's edges. There should be three holes placed evenly along each vertical edge.Hold the shutter up to the window where you marked its desired placement. Mark where the holes are using a pencil. Remove the shutter and drill into the wall using the same drill bit. The holes should be deep enough to accommodate the shutter fasteners, which are typically just under 3 inches long. Secure Shutter Hold the shutter in place so all the pilot holes are aligned. Push the first shutter fastener into the hole and use a hammer to gently tap into place. The shutter should be snug against the home exterior, but be careful not to hammer the fastener too tight or the shutter could warp.