How to measure for shutters - faux shutters with inside mounted frames

Measuring your windows to successfully order and install faux interior shutters really is simple. We are here to help at any stage - if you have any questions at all when measuring and ordering your shutters, be sure to call or email at any point.

We are not like other companies you may find on the web. We want to hear from you, to help and answer any questions you have.

However – this faux shutters measure guide for inside mount installations is packed with information to help you successfully measure your windows. Taking 5 minutes to read this over will give you a wealth of information to help you measure, order and install your faux wood shutters successfully.

If you need any help, at any time email support2@theshutterstore.com or call 1-888-753-8290.

IMPORTANT: This measure guide for our faux shutter range is best viewed as hard copy. When printing, in your print options, please select PAGE SCALING as NONE. This option will appear when you click ‘print’.

An inside mount can only be undertaken if your windows have a recess. A window with a recess is where there is depth between the inside wall and exterior wall of your home, with the actual window being pretty much in line with the exterior wall of your home.

Let’s try this test to establish if your windows are recessed. Stand inside your room and look directly at the window. Ignore any trim you have around the window.

Place your hand on the wall, either side of the window and run your hand along the wall, until it meets the window. When your hand reaches the window, does the wall go ‘in’ at 90 degrees or is the window pretty much flush with the internal wall of your home?

If your wall does ‘go in’ at a 90 degree angle, you are in the right place. If not (if your window is sitting flush with the internal wall of your home, read over our outside mount guide to faux shutters measuring.

A recess window generally works best to have your faux shutters measured and installed as an inside mount. This measure guide gives you different options to measure and install your shutters the way you want. If, for any reason, you cannot see the option that you want, please make sure you contact us. Every order we receive is unique and we are the true experts in ensuring you receive your shutters, your way.

Make sure you...

• Take 5 minutes to read this guide over. We promise it will pay dividends!
• Use a good quality metal tape measure to take accurate dimensions.
• Measure the width and height in at least 3 different places – bottom middle and top / left centre and right.
• When placing the order, it’s the smallest of these sizes that you should order.

Remember...

• We are unique in that we call every customer who orders shutters from us. We ‘sense check’ every order, giving you piece of mind that any anomalies are picked up before manufacture.
• Don’t worry about taking additional deductions. We’ll discuss that when we call to confirm your order details.
• Call us at any time – we’ll pick up the phone directly and answer any questions you may have.

Your faux shutter order is completely custom made. You choose all the design options and panel details. Your shutters can be ordered as ‘panels only’ however most customers choose our ‘with frame’ option. There is no extra cost and your faux interior shutters are generally easier to install with a frame.

The diagrams below show our most ordered shutter configurations, which include a frame. You can choose how many sides of frame your shutters have when you order. If you prefer, you can select we choose the best frame option for you. We will chosen design of shutter. discuss your options when we call to confirm your faux shutter order.

1. When installing faux shutters, tight to the window, a 4 sided frame works best.

2. Double hung faux shutters, tight to window or front of recess are easiest installed with a 4 side frame.

3. Cafe faux shutter /half height shutter, at any point inside the recess, we recommend as being ordered with a 3 side frame – left, right and bottom.

4. Sliding door faux shutters look best when they have a 3 sided frame – left, right and top. This avoids a piece of frame along the floor which is aesthetically not so nice and a trip hazard.

5. Faux shutters at the front of the recess can have either a 3 sided or 4 sided frame. If ordering a Z frame, a 3 sided frame is your best option.

An L frame is very versatile when installing your faux shutters and can be ordered and installed tight to the window or at any point inside the window recess.

Our faux range has one depth of L frame, making measuring and installing your shutters simple. You can therefore position your frame at any point inside the recess to suit your design preferences.

This diagram shows where the frame would be positioned if measuring to install faux shutters tight to the window. Review the following page to see where your shutters would be positioned at the front of the window reveal.

When taking your window sizes, take your measurements tight inside the recess, tight to the window, as this is the location your frame will be installed.

Frame Type
Inside Mount L Tight to Window

Design Considerations
Can be tight to window, in middle of recess, or at front of recess. Suits any slat size you chose. Simply position the frame (and template when measuring) at a location where the louvers will tilt and not hit the window.

If your recess is not deep or you prefer the look of your faux interior shutters being flush with the internal wall of your home, you may prefer installing with an L frame at the front of the recess.

This installation method has the advantage that the shutter panels can open, in many instances, 180 degrees and fold back, flat, against the walls either side of the window.

Frame Type
Inside Mount L To front of recess.

Design Considerations
Can be tight to window, in middle of recess, or at front of recess.

If your recess is at least 2” in depth, you can install your faux window shutters with a Z frame. A Z frame (as the name suggests!) when viewed from above, resembles the letter ‘Z’. Here’s how it works…

Imagine the frame in your hand…..lift the frame up to the window…..slide the frame ‘into’ the window recess…..slide in until the frame can go no further (due to the ‘lip’ of the Z frame).

Voila! That’s it! Simple!….(or have a look at the diagram below to see how a Z frame for faux interior shutters would be installed).

Oh – we offer 3 different designs of Z frame. Don’t worry about this when measuring your windows for your faux shutters. Ignore the ‘lip’ of the frame which sits outside of the window recess and just follow those same basics of measuring in 3 places, for the height and width, inside the window recess. Remember, all Z frames allow panels to open 180 degrees.

Frame Type
Inside Mount Z
Inside Mount Z Medium
Inside Mount Z Malibu

Recommended For
Order this for a simpler, more contemporary look.
A more detailed Z frame, well suited to match crown moulding or homes with a more traditional look.
A hybrid between the detailed ‘trim’ look of the medium frame and the simpler ‘small’ Z frame.

You can order your faux interior plantation shutters with or without a frame. There is no extra charge or cost saving when you buy your shutters, whether you opt to choose a shutter frame or not.

Generally, we advise customers to order with a frame. This give a more finished look when you install your faux shutters and makes installation easier.

Look at the window above left

• The green line shows the shutter frame
• The black lines show where to measure for
the width and height
• If ordering your faux shutters with a divider rail (also known as a shutter mid rail), follow the red line. Measure from the sill UP to the MID POINT of where you ideally want the rail located.

The blue arrow indicates where you would measure if ordering double hung shutters and selecting where the panels should divide.

Why not print this guide and use the faux shutter frame templates. Cut these out and position these in your window recess to help you measure correctly.

Faux Plantation Shutters – Make Sure Your Slats Tilt and Looking Out for Problems!

While your windows may present challenges that appear unique, there are certain basics that apply to all recessed windows that can help you measure successfully;

• Make sure that you leave enough clearance for the faux shutter slats to tilt and not hit the window. Look at the next page to check the clearance you should leave

• Look out for protruding items on the windows. This could be crank handles or levers used to operate the window. The quickest way to establish the best way to avoid these items when ordering faux window shutters is to email us a photo of your window or call us to discuss your concern.

• If your window recess is deep (say, over 3”) and you do have handles that protrude, you can use a Z frame or, if you prefer use an L frame and ensure it is forward of any protruding items.