Caring for wooden shutters properly
Wooden shutters add a traditional touch to a home. They are more maintenance-intensive than aluminum shutters - but in most cases you will also be rewarded with a cozy ambience.
Shutters off wood you should clean and care for them regularly so that they stay beautiful for a long time. If the first signs of weathering do show after a few years, they can be restored in a few simple steps.
Maintain shutters properly
If the wooden shutters are relatively new or in very good condition, in most cases it is sufficient to clean and maintain them once a year - preferably in spring.
- If the shutters are not within easy reach, unhook them first. Use a dry rag to remove coarse dirt, soil or cobwebs.
- Check the condition of the shutters. If there are no cracks or chipped areas, and there is no fungal infection, then everything is fine. The stability of the wood should also be sufficient.
- In this case, it is enough to thoroughly wipe the shutters with a damp cloth and let them dry for about half an hour.
- Then apply the wood care balm thinly to the wood with another cloth.
- Finally, put a drop of oil on the hinges to keep them from creaking or squeaking, and then put the shutters back on.
Shutters are only as beautiful as their paintwork. If for you the paintwork ...
Restoring wooden shutters
If the shutters show signs of weathering or if the paint is starting to chip off, it is time for a restoration. The old paint is removed, defects are corrected and new paint is applied.
- Unhook the shutters. If possible, restore the shutters under a shelter, for example in a garage.
- Remove coarse and finer dirt with a damp cloth and let the shutters dry.
- Take some sandpaper and completely remove the old layer of paint. A scraper can help with this. If the wood is weathered, sand these areas down as well. Wipe off any paint residue and wood dust.
- If necessary, fill out cracks with a little putty and seal Put with transparent joint filler. The joint filler should dry for at least three hours.
- Use a brush to apply wood-strengthening impregnation to the shutters and let them dry.
- Coat the shutters with a glaze primer. After this has dried, carefully sand it down again.
- The next coat of paint is a thin layer of acrylic varnish. Let this dry well and, if necessary, apply another layer afterwards.
- Finally, put a drop of oil on the hinges and put the shutters back on.
You should avoid painting your shutters when the weather is damp or when the sun is too strong. An overcast but dry day at the end of spring or the beginning of autumn is ideal.
