If you're looking at installing Bahama shutters yourself than you want to make sure that you don't make any of these five mistakes. I have been installing shutters for over 20 years now and more times than not I am reinstalling shutters for clients because they did it wrong the first time around.
Don't get me wrong it's not that I mind reinstalling these Bahama shutters for people because I do make more money on re-installations than I do on initial installations but I don't enjoy having to tear out the old and reinstall new framing and shutters.
The most common mistake that I see is when people try to measure the shutters themselves. I know everybody assumes they know how to use a tape measure but it takes certain knowledge to know how to make sure all the hardware fits properly. Usually people will either get it too large or more often they measure too small. When you measure them this way you can't just return them. These are custom made blinds made specifically for you.
Another common mistake is assuming that the slats open. The slats on these are stationary. They are angled down so that no water or hail can get into your home. If you are out shopping and you want the type that open make sure you let the sales man know that is what you are looking for so that they can guide you in the right direction.
Using improper hardware is a fatal mistake. When you are installing these to your house and you have to screw the hardware to the wood you want to use galvanized screws. Galvanized screws are specially coated so that the weather and rain will not cause them to rust. Once they rust you won't be able to get them out and they will snap off.
Use a level! I know this one also seems like common sense but you would be surprised. Most people assume they can tell that its level just by looking at it. Things look very different when you back up to the street and see them. Just because they look level when you are right in front of them doesn't mean that they look good from further away.
If you have vinyl siding, don't just screw straight into it. There is Styrofoam behind vinyl siding. When you try to screw into it you're going to suck the siding back and crack it. You need to cut out the siding, mount your hardware, and then seal it with silicone all weather caulk.
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