If you Have a 3 Section Bay Window Read These Shutter Measuring Guides

This guide makes measuring your shutters easy. Best printed in color, this guide talks you through in simple steps, how to successfully measure windows for shutters.

1 that accompany our guides.

They make measuring your windows a whole lot easier!

The Shutter Store is here to help. If you have any questions at all related to your shutters, be sure to call 888 753 8290 or email support@theshutterstore.com

3 section bay windows typically comprise 3 adjacent windows – the central window being in line with the line of the house, with a window either side, sitting at a slight angle.

3 section bay windows may have the windows butting up close together, or, with a slight gap between the windows.

We advise reading both our outside mount shutters measure guide and our inside mount shutters measure guide. These explain the fundamental principles involved in measuring your windows.

However, this guide gives you additional pointers to think about if you’re ordering shutters for a 3 section bay.

Here’s the basic principles to take onboard…

• You measure each window within the bay individually.
• You’ll receive a set of shutters, which are mounted inside their own frame for each window within the bay.
• Determine which window type you have by reading over the outside mount and inside mount guides. You then will know which frame type to choose and measure successfully.
• If your windows do not have a wall space between them you are best using L frames which will ‘butt up’ close together.
• Finally, use the templates and make sure you use a metal tape measure. It’ll make life a lot easier for you!.

Measuring a 3 section bay, for an outside mount installation:

Make sure you watch our 1 so that you can successfully measure for your shutters.

Items such as window handles impact the tilting of your shutter slats. For outside mount shutters, look to see if your window has a crank handle to wind open the window. If so, check how far this handle protrudes into the room. You can use a deeper frame or you may opt to purchase separately a smaller lever to open your window.

To help establish if your preferred frame will work, the diagrams below show a side view of the shutter panels and frames. So, for example the 4033 frame is 2 1/4” deep.  2 1/2” slats require 1 7/8” clearance to tilt and not hit the window. Therefore the 4033 frame comfortably provides this clearance.

The camber frames and Z frames give less depth, but if your window has a shallow depth recess, the slats will normally tilt and avoid hitting the window.

For more help or advice, email us a photo of your window and we can call or email to advise on the best frame to use.

Have a look at your windows. Are there any items that could impede the operation of your shutters?  For example, if you have a phone junction box or TV point close to the window, this may need to be moved to ensure the frame sits neatly on the window.

An important consideration is making sure your slats will tilt, without hitting the window handles. Most sash windows do not have this problem however just be sure, from looking at the diagrams below, that there are no items sitting proud of the window, which could hit the slats.

The diagrams below show the frames we’ve recommended and the clearance you would require.

Remember, you can always choose a deeper frame, irrespective of which slat size you choose.
If you need extra clearance to ensure the slats tilt and avoid handles, read the measure guide titled ‘Extra Deep Frame’.

Shutters are simple to measure and install. However if you are in any doubt, we are here to help. Why not email us a photo of your window and any questions you have and we would be delighted to assist you!

Below is an example of how tier on tier shutters would look on this type of window.