This project was built and designed by Mike Montgomery from Modern Builds. It focuses on creating sleek horizontal slat shutters using cedar fence pickets, offering a cost-effective way to update a home’s exterior with a modern touch.
Replacing old farmhouse-style shutters with clean, contemporary lines, Mike walks through a simple build that’s accessible even for beginner DIYers. The result is both durable and visually appealing, without the need for expensive tools or materials.
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Why Cedar Fence Pickets?
Cedar is a natural choice for outdoor woodworking due to its weather resistance, rot resistance, and overall durability. In this project, Mike uses off-the-shelf cedar fence pickets, which are readily available at home improvement stores and are budget-friendly.
These pickets allow the project to stay affordable without sacrificing quality. The natural grain of cedar also takes stain well, providing a professional look with minimal effort.
Measuring for a Perfect Fit
Before cutting any wood, Mike removes the old shutters and measures the space left behind. These measurements serve as the reference for sizing the new modern shutters.
Getting accurate dimensions is critical to ensuring the new shutters fit snugly and align with the existing trim or siding. This prep step saves time during installation and avoids any frustrating surprises later.
Cutting the Slats
Each shutter consists of multiple horizontal slats—18 per panel—to create a full, balanced design. Mike cuts each slat to length with a miter saw, optimizing the fence pickets for minimal waste.
The repeated cuts make this stage efficient once the dimensions are locked in. All slats are laid out in advance to confirm spacing and layout before assembly begins.
Constructing the Frame
To hold the slats together, vertical supports are cut slightly longer than needed. This gives room for minor adjustments and sanding after the frame is assembled.
Mike attaches the supports to the slats from the back using outdoor wood glue and finish nails. This keeps the front face of the shutters free of fasteners for a cleaner, more modern appearance.
Using a speed square helps maintain perfect 90-degree angles during assembly. With all slats in place, the basic panel starts to come together quickly.
Sanding for a Clean Finish
Once the main panel is assembled, Mike sands the surface to prep it for finishing. Cedar is soft and sands down easily, so a few passes with a sander bring the surface to a smooth, consistent texture.
This step also removes any manufacturing marks or rough spots from the fence pickets, improving both the look and feel of the finished product.
Adding a Mitered Outer Frame
To elevate the look, Mike adds a mitered frame around the perimeter of each panel. This not only enhances durability but gives the shutters a more finished appearance that feels custom-built.
Each frame piece is cut to length with precise 45-degree miters, then glued and nailed in place. Care is taken to ensure tight corners and smooth transitions between joints.
Longer nails and plenty of glue are used at each connection to help the frame resist expansion and contraction from outdoor conditions. Attention to these details helps the shutters last for years with minimal maintenance.
Filling, Sanding, and Staining
With the full shutter assembled, any visible nail holes are filled and the entire piece is sanded again using finer grit sandpaper. This final sanding ensures a consistent finish and preps the surface for stain.
Mike applies an outdoor-rated stain that enhances the cedar’s natural color while protecting it from the elements. He uses a wipe-on technique, letting the stain soak in before wiping off excess to create a clean, even finish.
The result is a warm, modern tone that highlights the grain and pairs well with many home exteriors.
Mounting the Shutters
For installation, Mike opts for a cleat system instead of glue or brackets. He cuts cleats from scrap cedar and mounts them directly to the siding using outdoor-rated screws.
Each shutter is then attached to the cleats using the same screws, giving them a solid hold while allowing for easy removal in the future if repairs or repainting are needed.
A level is used during mounting to ensure everything lines up cleanly. Symmetry and alignment are key to giving the shutters a polished, professional look.
A Simple Project with Big Impact
Swapping outdated shutters for this modern horizontal slat style dramatically updates the home’s curb appeal. The build is simple, requiring only a few tools and affordable materials, but the result is a noticeable upgrade.
Mike shows that with careful measurements, smart material choices, and clean finishing work, you can dramatically improve your home’s exterior without a big investment.
Please support Mike by visiting his website: https://www.modernbuilds.com/.