What many woodworkers don't realize is just how easy it is to make louvers. The key is in a jig for use with your router, as a proper router jig will make it quite simple to align your louvers evenly.
In this set of free woodworking plans, we build a shutter for a window that is inconveniently positioned in a shower enclosure. However, the same principle is easily adapted for any interior door or exterior wood shutter, using the same mortise and tenon joinery for the rails and stiles.
Download the Free Woodworking Plans to build a set of Louvers (PDF). Please note that these plans are more of a guideline on how to build louvers that will fit your particular installation, and not a typical complete set of measured drawings (as the object sizes in the plans will need to be adapted to the dimensions of your particular installation).
To build these louvers, you'll also need to download the Louver Jig Plans to build the router jig required to make your set of Louvers (PDF).
Difficulty Level
- Woodworking: Moderate
- Finishing: Paint or Stain
Time to Complete
- 6 Hours
Recommended Tools
- Miter Saw or Circular Saw
- Table Saw
- Plunge Router with 1/4" Spiral-cutting Straight Bit
- Router Table and 1/8" Radius Roundover Bit
- Power Drill
- Large Clamps
- Chisels
Materials Needed- 2 - 2x4 x 8' - Pine or hardwood
- Materials for rails and stiles for your particular application
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Woodworker's Glue
- Sandpaper
