Basics Of Installing Modern Bahama Shutters To Brick

Bahama shutters are a great way to assist in making your home stronger during a storm while maintaining aesthetics. They provide added protection as well as shade from the hot sun without ruining your view or blocking fresh air. Installing modern Bahama Shutters can be done by yourself or one of our seasoned professionals at Westshore Construction. For those who wish to take on the feat themselves below is a simplified guide on how to do so and the materials you’ll need.

  1. Gathering Materials And Assessing Your Opening

Before beginning your project it may be best to first gather all your necessary materials, such as:

  • paper and pencil
  • tape measure
  • ear/eye/hand protection
  • relevant drill bits
  • universal step bit
  • hex driver
  • brick installation screws 
  • level
  • caulk gun with silicon drill
  • hammer drill

The foremost concern when it comes to this type of project is of course to measure your window properly. This is crucial as even an inch or two of miscalculation can affect both the aesthetics and functionality of your shutters. In addition, be sure to read your modern Bahama Shutters manual thoroughly as it provides more detailed instruction as well as specific drill bits or screws you may need. Furthermore, it’s best to check for any nearby obstacles that may interfere with your shutters and consider them when measuring. For instance, railings, landscaping, and existing or future shutters with the perimeter.

  1. Measuring For Modern Bahama Shutters

Initially, you’ll want to measure between the inside faces of the brick when installing modern Bahama Shutters. This includes 3 width measurements of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the window opening. On top of this, you’ll need 3 height measurements of the left, middle, and right portions of the opening.

Bahama shutters specifically require you to order an inch larger than the width you measured for aesthetic reasons. Height can also be tricky during ordering as louvered shutters are only available in specific increments. For this reason, you’ll need to consult a provided chart and add 3inches to accommodate the lock pin and hinge. If you are measuring hurricane shutters, read our how-to-measure functional hurricane shutters blog.

  1. Prepping The Hinge And Installing The Frame For Modern Bahama Shutters

In order to install a modern Bahama Shutters hinge you’ll first need to prep it. This is done by drilling quarter-inch holes along the hinge with a maximum of 8 inches between each. You’ll then slide this onto the Bahama frame which has its male counterpart. Next, 1-inch shims will be needed to be placed on the windowsill to make space for the lock pin assembly later. Then the shutter may be placed on the shims and centered to the opening. It’s critical to level the side and top or bottom of your shutter to ensure proper functionality.

  1. Installing The Hinge, Hanging The Shutter, And Installing The Shutter

You’ll begin this step by marking where on the wall your hinge holes will need to be for your modern Bahama Shutters. Once this is determined you can use your rotary hammer drill to penetrate the brick and fill the consequential holes with silicone. This is done to prevent water from entering the wall. Next, you can finally hang the hinge with the hex driver and hex screws and seal the top also for moisture prevention. Your modern Bahama Shutter can now be hung by sliding on and centering it on the edge. To secure the shutter you’ll want to insert text screws into the end of the hinges so it can’t slide left or right.

  1. Installing Locks And Pull Assembly

The final stages of installing modern Bahama Shutters begin by placing and securing the wall brackets for your locks. These need to be installed 1inch lower than the bottom of the shutter then centered with respect to the lock pen slot. Once in position holes on the wall can be marked, drilled through, sealed, and used to mount the bracket to the wall. The lock pin can now be installed by inserting it into the slot on the shutter and inserting a bump screw through the hole in the bottom of the slot.