How to measure - Plantation shutters

How to Measure - Inside Mount

Mike’s Tip! When measuring for inside mount frames, make sure that you have at least 65 mm clearance inside your window recess and pay special attention to windows that have window winders, latches, security devise etc, these may obstruct the shutters.

Measure your width

• Measure the hard width across the top, middle and bottom of the window recess.
• Note the smallest width measurement to the exact mm.

Measure your drop

• Measure the hard drop from the left, centre, and right of the window recess.
• Note the smallest drop measurement to the exact mm.

Choose on your Panel Layout

• If you haven’t already decided on your panel layout, now that you have your window measurements, you will need to decide exactly which panel layout will suit your window. Review our panel layout chart before proceeding.

Measure T-Post location – Panel Layouts D-L Only

• Measure the left inside edge of the window frame to the centre of where the T-Post will sit.
• Repeat for T-post 2 & 3 where applicable. Always start from the far left inside edge
• When deciding were your T-post will sit, divide your windows vertically to match the flow of the window design and cover large spaces.

Measure Mid Rail Position

Mid rails are fixed across the width of your panels, they are approx. 76mm high and provide stability and strength to the shutters. For shutters with a drop greater than 1,600mm a mid rail must be included. When you design and order your shutters you can choose to either have your mid rail in the centre of your panels or if you have horizontal joins in your windows that you want to line up with you can customise exactly where you want them to go.

• Centre mid rail: This does not need to be measured, when you design and order your shutters simply select ‘centre’ and we will do the rest.
• Custom mid rail: Measure from the bottom up to the centre point of the desired mid rail location, note this measurement and select ‘custom’ mid rail when you order your shutters.
• Critical md rail: Mid rails can vary between +/- 37mm (depending on the overall drop of the finished shutter.) If the mid rail measurement you have provided needs to line up perfectly to that exact location then this becomes a ‘critical’ mid rail. If you select a critical mid rail then the top and bottom rails may not be the same size as they will be determined by the blades fitting above and below the mid rail.

Decide how you want to design your shutter

For more details on all our design choices, refer to our product specifications page

• Fitting / Frame Options: For inside mount shutters there are 4 fitting / frame types available. The most popular is an L frame which sits square inside your window and blocks the most amount of light. If your windows aren’t perfectly square there is the option to select a Z frame which has a bull-nose lip around the outside of your frame and hides any gaps or imperfections on windows that aren’t perfectly square. For narrower windows a Direct mount shutter will mount directly onto the window without a supporting frame (available for layouts A, B & C only), or if you want to create a room divider with shutters where the panels don’t open then a U channel will be your best choice. You can read more about our frame options on ourb product specifications page.
• 3 or 4 sided frame: When selecting an L or Z frame you will have the choice of either a 3 or 4 sided frame, depending on any obstructions you may have at the bottom of your window will determine which is the best choice for your shutter.
• Split Tilt: A split tilt rod allows flexibility to open or close sections of your shutter blades separately, giving you greater light control and privacy. With a mid rail you can choose to split half of the panel equally above the mid rail only, or without a mid rail you can split your panels equally in the centre. If your drop is greater than 1,200mm you must choose to have a split.
• Match Top and Bottom Rail: These rails are made to a custom size based on the overall drop of your shutters. When measuring shutters for multiple windows in the one room these rails can be manufactured to the same height, providing they fit within the rail specifications chart. This will ensure that the top and bottom rails will be made to the same specifications which is vital for a uniform look both inside and outside your home. When you design and order you shutters select ‘match top and bottom rail’ and in the text field note which other shutters they need to match (i.e., the room name)

How to Measure - Outside Mount

Mike’s Tip! Outside mount shutters are recommended when you have less than 65mm clearance inside your window recess. When measuring for outside mount frames, make sure that you have at least 25 mm of flat surface to mount your shutter frame.

Measure your width

• Measure the hard width from the edge of the architrave to the edge of the architrave at the top, middle and bottom of the window frame.
• Note the largest width measurement to the exact mm.

Measure your drop

• Measure the hard drop from the top of the architrave to the bottom of the architrave at the left, centre, and right of the window frame.
• Note the largest drop measurement to the exact mm.

Choose on your Panel Layout

• If you haven’t already decided on your panel layout, now that you have your window measurements, you will need to decide exactly which panel layout will suit your window. Review our panel layout chart before proceeding.

Measure T-Post location – Panel Layouts D-L Only

• Measure the left inside edge of the window frame to the centre of where the T-Post will sit.
• Repeat for T-post 2 & 3 where applicable. Always start from the far left inside edge
• When deciding were your T-post will sit, divide your windows vertically to match the flow of the window design and cover large spaces.

Measure Mid Rail Position

Mid rails are fixed across the width of your panels, they are approx. 76mm high and provide stability and strength to the shutters. For shutters with a drop greater than 1,600mm a mid rail must be included. When you design and order your shutters you can choose to either have your mid rail in the centre of your panels or if you have horizontal joins in your windows that you want to line up with you can customise exactly where you want them to go.

• Centre mid rail: This does not need to be measured, when you design and order your shutters simply select ‘centre’ and we will do the rest.
• Custom mid rail: Measure from the bottom up to the centre point of the desired mid rail location, note this measurement and select ‘custom’ mid rail when you order your shutters.
• Critical md rail: Mid rails can vary between +/- 37mm (depending on the overall drop of the finished shutter.) If the mid rail measurement you have provided needs to line up perfectly to that exact location, then this becomes a ‘critical’ mid rail. If you select a critical mid rail then the top and bottom rails may not be the same size as they will be determined by the blades fitting above and below the mid rail.

Decide how you want to design your shutter

For more details on all our design choices, refer to our product specifications page

• Frame Options: For outside mount shutters the only frame style available is an L frame. The outside mount L-Frame has a projection of 78mm so your blades will not project past the back of the frame thus making it suitable for all outside mount applications, regardless of the width of your architraves and centre mullions of your window.
• 3 or 4 sided frame: For L frames you will have the choice of either a 3 or 4 sided frame, depending on any obstructions you may have at the bottom of your window will determine which is the best choice for your shutter.
• Split Tilt: A split tilt rod allows flexibility to open or close sections of your shutter blades separately, giving you greater light control and privacy. With a mid rail you can choose to split half of the panel equally above the mid rail only, or without a mid rail you can split your panels equally in the centre. If your drop is greater than 1,200mm you must choose to have a split.
• Match Top and Bottom Rail: These rails are made to a custom size based on the overall drop of your shutters. When measuring shutters for multiple windows in the one room these rails can be manufactured to the same height, providing they fit within the rail specifications chart. This will ensure that the top and bottom rails will be made to the same specifications which is vital for a uniform look both inside and outside your home. When you design and order you shutters select ‘match top and bottom rail’ and in the text field note which other shutters they need to match (i.e., the room name)