The Ultimate Guide To Measuring For Plantation Shutters
Welcome to the Shutters Dept ultimate guide to measuring your windows for shutters! There are a number of items that will be discussed in this article, from identifying your window to learning about mounting options. Don't stress, our Design Centre has been engineered to help answer all of these questions. We also have shutters experts that are ready to assist on the other end of the phone or e-mail.
One of the first questions we will ask is what type of window you have. We'll also cover the style of your architraves and help determine whether your window has a recess or sill. Identifying the style of your window in the initial stages will help us throughout the design and measurement process.
Once you've identified your window, we'll help you decide whether to inside or outside mount your shutter.
Next, we'll run through measuring instructions for each type of window:
- Measuring Inside Mount for Square Set Window
- Measuring Inside Mount for Window with an Architrave
- Measuring Inside Mount for Square Set Window with a Sill
- Measuring for Inside Mount with a Sill & Architrave
- Measuring Outside Mount for Square Set Window
- Measuring Outside Mount for Window with an Architrave
- Measuring Outside Mount for Square Set Window with a Sill
- Measuring Outside Mount for Window with an Architrave and Sill
Finally, we'll explore the process for measuring custom panel widths and midrails.
Our Design Centre has been engineered to make these decisions easier for you. We'll ask some simple questions about your window and provide expert recommendations based on your answers. If you're still unsure about measuring or the style of your window, send us a photo of your window and our team will give you a call.
What Style Of Window Do I Have?
In order to begin measuring for your shutters, we need to identify the style of your window.
First, have a look at your window. Does your window have a recess? Is there a window sill? Does your window have an architrave? This is important as different measuring techniques are used for different window settings.
There are two options for mounting a shutter - inside mount or outside mount - which are both discussed below.
Does My Window Have A Recess?
The first thing to check is how your window is sitting. Does it sit inside the wall or against the wall? If there is space between the wall and the window, then your window has a recess. This means that it might be possible to Inside Mount your shutter.
Do I Have An Architrave?
An architrave is the frame around your window, which serves as a decorative trim around door frames and windows.
Unsure if you have an architrave? Read our article about architraves here.
Does My Window Have A Sill?
A window sill is the ledge at the bottom of your window. It generally protrudes out of the wall and will stick out further than the recess. If you have a recess, then it is important to note whether the bottom is a sill or part of the recess.
Unsure if you have a window sill? Read more about window sills here.
Inside vs Outside Mount
The next step is to decide whether you'll be mounting your shutters on the inside or outside of your window. Even though the panels will operate the same, the frame used will impact on functionality and design of your shutters. In the majority of window designs, there will only be one option that fits your window best.
- Inside mount shutters sit inside the window recess and are usually fitted flush against the wall.
- Outside mount shutters are installed onto the wall, around the window. Both mounting options look great!
Some DIYers prefer inside mounting because the shutters don't extend into the room. Inside mounting also results in a slightly smaller shutter, saving you money.
Should I Inside Or Outside Mount My Shutter?
If you have a recess with at least 70mm of unobstructed clearance (e.g. free of window winders, locks, handles, etc), you will be most likely be installing an inside mount shutter.
Confused? Don't be! Our Design Centre will make a recommendation as to which frame suits best for your window. If you're still uncertain, send us a photo of your window and we'll happily assist.
How To Measure A Recess
To measure a recess, start from the shallowest point of the window and measure to the front wall.
When measuring a recess, we need to ensure that it is clear of obstructions such as windows winders, handles, locks, keys, alarm boxes, flyscreens, etc. In these cases, we need to measure from the furthest point of the obstruction to the edge of the recess.
Measuring Around Obstructions
- First measure from the window to the front of the obstruction.
- Next measure from the window to the front of the recess.
- Finally, subtract the smaller measurement from the larger measurement.
As a general rule, you'll need 70mm of clearance from your obstruction to the edge of the recess to inside mount your shutter. However, there are ways around this! Read our detailed article on Managing Obstructions.
Measuring For An Inside Mount
Measuring for an Inside Mount will vary slightly depending on the style of your window. Once you have identified your window, you can follow the below instructions for measuring.
The process for measuring for an inside mount will be the same for an L-Frame or Z-frame. We recommend having a friend or family member with you to check measurements.
Windows are rarely perfectly square and there will be some variation in your measurements. Do not take any deductions, we will figure this out for you during manufacturing process.
You will need:
- Metal measuring tape
- Paper
- Pen
Measuring Inside Mount For A Square Set Window
- Measure the drop - bottom to top - of your window in three different places;
- Measure the width of your window - left to right - in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the smallest of the three.
Measuring Inside Mount For Window With An Architrave
- Measure the drop - bottom to top - of your window in three different places;
- Measure the width of your window - left to right - in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the smallest of the three.
Measuring Inside Mount For A Square Set Window With A Sill
- Measure the drop - bottom to top - of your window in three different places. Start from the top of your sill and end on the inside of your recess.
- Measure the width of your window - left to right - in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the smallest of the three.
Measuring Inside Mount For A Window With A Sill + Architrave
- Measure the drop - bottom to top - of your window in three different places. Start from the top of your sill and end on the inside of your recess.
- Measure the width of your window, inside the recess - left to right - in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the smallest of the three.
Measuring For Outside Mount
Measuring for an outside mount will vary slightly depending on the style of your window. Once you have identified your window type, you may follow the below instructions for measuring.
Read a detailed article on Measuring for an Outside Mount.
Measuring Outside Mount For Square Set Window
Measure from the edges of the inside of the window (as if you're measuring for an inside mount). Our system will then add the necessary adjustments to allow your frame to fit around the window.
- Measure the drop of the inside of your window - bottom to top - in three different places;
- Measure the width of the inside of your window - left to right - in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the largest of the three.
Measuring Outside Mount With An Architrave
Your measurements should start and finish at the edge of the architrave.
- Measure the height of your window for the edge of your architrave - bottom to top in three different places;
- Measure the width of your window from the edge of the architrave - left to right -in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the largest of the three.
Measuring Outside Mount For A Window With A Sill
When measuring outside mount for a window with a sill, your height measurement should start at the top of the window sill.
- Measure the height of your window - bottom to top - in three different places;
- Measure the width of your window - left to right - in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the largest of the three.
Measuring Outside Mount For A Window With A Sill And Architrave
When measuring outside mount for a window with a sill and architrave, your height measurement should begin at the top of the window sill and end at the edge of the architrave.
- Measure the drop of your window -bottom to top - in three different places;
- Measure the width of your window - left to right - in three different places;
- Compare your measurements and select the largest of the three.
Measuring Panels
What If I Require Multiple Panels, But Have Uneven Sized Window Panes?
You can customise your own panel widths to match the layout of your window, provided that each panel is less than 900mm. We recommend matching panels with the design of your vertical window panes.
You can watch our video on measuring for panel widths.
Measuring Custom Panel Widths
- Begin each measurement from the far left:
- For an inside mount, start from the inside of the recess;
- For an outside mount with an architrave, start from the edge of the architrave;
- For an outside mount with no architrave, star from the edge of your window.
- Measure the breaks in each of the panels (i.e. where one panel will meet the other).
e.g. measuring for Four Panels
Read a detailed article on measuring for custom panels.
Measuring For Midrails
For those measuring a window with multiple window panes, we recommend designing your shutters with a Midrail to match the design of your window. You can choose to design your shutters with up to two Midrails.
Measuring The Position Of Your Midrail
Measure from the bottom of the window to the middle of the point you decide upon.
- For an inside mount, measure from the bottom of the recess
- For an outside mount, measure from the edge of the architrave
If measuring for a second midrail, measure as above, from the bottom of the window to the point of the second midrail.
Midrail points may be altered by 15mm+- to ensure that we can fit all louvers evenly in your shutter.
Read our detailed article on Measuring for a Midrail.
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