Installing plantation shutters yourself, Aussie weekend DIY guide
Plantation shutters are popular in Aussie homes but installation by the supplier adds $1,000+. Here's how to fit them yourself in a few hours per window.
Tools and materials
Tools
- Cordless drill
- Drill bits
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- Phillips screwdriver
- Pencil
Materials
- Plantation shutters (measured to fit your windows)
- Mounting screws (usually supplied)
- Wall plugs (if fixing to plaster or masonry)
Plantation shutters are one of the most popular window treatments in Australian homes. They’re also one of the most expensive. The shutters themselves run $500 to $1,500 per typical window. Professional installation adds $150 to $400 per window. DIY install saves that, and it’s well within weekend DIY territory for any confident handyperson.
The four mounting styles
- Inside frame (recessed): shutters sit inside the window architrave. Cleanest look, requires precise measurement. Best with deep window reveals (90mm+)
- Face-fix to wall: shutters mount to the wall, framing the window. Easier to install, hides imperfect openings, slightly less elegant
- Bi-fold (hinged): panels fold to one side, opens fully. Suits wide windows
- Bypass (sliding): panels slide along a track. Suits very wide openings or sliding doors
Most Aussie homes use inside-frame mounting for the bedroom and living room windows, face-fix for poorly squared openings.
Order to fit (typical inside-frame mount)
- Measure carefully before ordering. Width and height at top, middle, bottom. Order to the smallest dimension. Most suppliers come and measure for you for free
- Receive the order: check the shutters before signing for delivery. Damage in transit happens
- Test fit in the opening before drilling anything
- Mark hinge positions with pencil on the architrave
- Drill pilot holes for the hinge screws
- Fix the shutters working from one side to the other
- Test operation: panels should swing freely, close flush, and the louvres should tilt smoothly through their range
- Adjust the panels if they’re slightly off (most supplier hinges have a few millimetres of adjustment)
A confident DIYer fits 4 to 6 windows in a day. Saves $600 to $2,400 on a whole-house install.
When to pay for installation
- Custom-fitted to non-standard openings
- Heritage homes with complex window profiles
- Very large or heavy panels (over 1m wide)
- Bi-fold systems with tracks (the tracks need careful levelling)
- When the supplier offers free measure + install bundled with purchase
Frequently asked questions
How much do plantation shutters cost in Australia?
$300 to $900 per square metre supplied for quality timber or PVC. Premium custom timber $1,000 to $1,500/m². A typical 1.2m x 1.5m window costs $500 to $1,500 just for the shutters. Professional installation adds $150 to $400 per window. DIY install saves this if you have basic carpentry skills.
What size shutter blades for an Aussie home?
63mm blades (2.5 inch) for small windows. 89mm (3.5 inch) most common, suits most Aussie window sizes. 114mm (4.5 inch) for large windows where you want maximum view and light when open. Bigger blades let in more light but look out of scale on small windows.
PVC vs timber plantation shutters?
Timber (basswood, paulownia) is lighter, paintable in any colour, traditional look, more expensive. PVC (waterproof shutter material) is heavier, limited colours, great for wet areas (bathrooms, kitchens, near pools), slightly cheaper. For most Aussie internal rooms, timber. For bathrooms and laundries, PVC.
Can I install plantation shutters on aluminium-framed windows?
Yes. Use frame mounting (the shutters fit inside the window frame) and fix into the aluminium with self-tapping screws or appropriate fixings depending on the frame's profile. Get advice from the supplier; some suppliers don't recommend frame-mounting on aluminium and prefer face-mounting to the wall.