Firstly i may need to explain that out property consists of two main buildings (the house and the grange) and then a series of lean-to outbuildings.

Of the two main building the Grange (pictured right) was causing us somewhat of a concern for the coming winter.

You see the issue here the while the wind mainly comes from the west it does also come from the east mainly during storms. With the way the grange has been left it has 3 large gaps in the structure where the windows used to be. What happens here s the wind rushes in and the only way out if up and that means lifting the roof.

The roof was replaced some years back after a bit of a monster storm but not one for wanting that to happen again it was time to seal the holes.

As we reported HERE we did have someone quote for the shutters but the cost was prohibitive so we tackled it ourselves.

Materials
8m of Tongue & Groove wood ( cost €81 )
8m of rope ( cost €2 )
Large tin of weather sealant pant ( €66 )
Wood Glue & Nails ( €13 )

Tools
Hammer
Power Saw

Unfortunately there isn’t a step by step guide for these as honestly we just forgot however it’s easy to assume that we cut the wood into strips of 90cm (window width) and using the left over wood from each plank (each plank was 2.40m so we only got 2 full size shutter widths from each) we used these for the battening to sure up the shutters.

Sure enough the first windows at 70cm x 90cm we easy enough, by the time they were painted, glued and nailed the were lashed to the metal says that were inside where the old windows went. This was a quick and easy win.

Then came the large 150cmx90cm shutter. We (I) originally built it as one large shutter, given I had LOTS of left over i created the battening after gluing the 90cm wide strips only to then lift it up and the whole thing fall apart.

Lesson 1 learned : DO NOT put battening up vertically the shutters as the whole thing will just move and fall apart. There is a reason that there is a traditional Z shape to battening.

Lesson 2 learned : 150cmx90cm is just to big and wide for one shutter. We then halved it and made one shutter 70cmx90 and then the other 80cmx90cm and learning the previous lessons these were finished up and painted and secure.

Job well done approximately €600 saved against someone doing it and a sence of real achievement making the first new part of the property.