Be Sure to Measure Your Shutters Right With our Inside Mount Shutters Measuring Guide

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.

Recess Window Shutter Measuring Guide

Watch our 1 that accompany this guide!

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

Is your window recessed?

Establish if your window is a recess window. A recess window means that your windows are NOT flush with the internal walls of your home. The window itself will be flush with the outside walls, meaning there is a small recess, often around 3”-5” in most American homes.

This guide shows how to measure for shutters that are mounted inside this recess, tight up to the window. There are different frame types you can select. This measure guide explains how to measure for mounting shutters tight to the window, or to the front of the recess.

The Basics

• A steel tape measuring is advised, to ensure your dimensions are 100% accurate.
• Measure the width in 3 places (top, middle and bottom) and height in 3 places (left, center and right) The SMALLEST of these dimensions is the size you convey to us.
• Don’t worry about deductions. We will take care of that for you.

Your shutters are supplied all ready to install. The shutter panels are mounted within a frame. The dimensions that you convey to us when ordering, include your frame.

See the drawings below, which show the frame we’ll supply you with, depending upon your chosen design of shutter.

1. A 4 sided frame for full height shutters, tight to window

2. A 4 sided frame for tier on tier

3. A 3 sided frame for café style shutters (left, right and bottom)

4. A 3 sided frame for full height French door (left, right and top)

5. A 3 sided frame for full height shutters at front of recess

We have some great 1 that show exactly how to measure your windows. However, read below for written instructions on how to successfully measure your windows for shutters.

• Your shutters are delivered with a frame. The green line indicates where the frame sits when mounted tight to the window.
• The black lines show where to measure the width and height

Remember – it’s the smallest dimension that we need to know, when ordering.

• If ordering a divide/mid rail for your shutters measure as indicated by the blue arrow.
• If ordering double hung / tier on tier shutters, measure as indicated by the red arrow.

Use the templates in this guide and place them on your window to help you measure.

Make sure you watch our measuring tips video successfully measure for your shutters.

Items such as window handles impact the tilting of your shutter slats. This is generally only relevant if you’re installing the shutters tight inside the window recess, close to the window. If using a Z frame, this is less of an issue as with the typical window recess, you have enough space for the slats to tilt without hitting the handles.

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.

To gain additional clearance due to handles on your windows, simply choose a deeper frame.

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.

An important consideration is making sure your slats will tilt, without hitting the window handles. Particular attention should be paid if you have UPVC windows  and you’re mounting the shutters inside the recess, tight to the window.

The diagrams below show the frames we’ve recommended above and the clearance you have behind each frame. Remember, you can always choose a deeper frame, irrespective of which slat size you choose. If you need extra clearance, read the measure guide titled ‘Extra Deep Frame’.

We are here to help. While we’ve tried to keep the guide as simple as possible, if you are in any doubt please call us or email us a photo of your window for advice.

Below is an example of how full height shutters with a mid rail would look when installed.