Which Window Portion Should Be Measured For External Shutters?

1. Measure from the inside left of the window opening to the inside right. Survey three places and record the narrowest dimension, then deduct ¼ – ½ inch for adequate margin when closing. Divide this calculation by two for the individual exterior shutter width.

2. Measure the window’s jamb depth (C) and the opening along the top and bottom. Take a right-side measurement and a left-side measurement for the height of one side of the window.

3. Measure the height of the window opening from the top sill to the lintel. Use the smallest measurement to ensure a snug fit for your shutters.

4. Measure the width of your window without the trim. Make three measurements: top, middle, and right side of the window opening from the top of the window to the bottom excluding any window sill. If the heights vary at each point, use the SMALLEST of the three measurements. This will be the height of the shutter you need to order.

Typically, the width of your shutters should be half of your total window width. Vinyl shutters are available in a handful of sizes, and the shutters should measure the same height as the inside of the window frame, with the bottom of the shutter installed even with the top of the window sill. The height of window shutters should be the actual height of the opening, not counting the sill if you have one.

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1. Measure windows for operable shutters by measuring both width and height at three different points because many windows are not perfectly square. Measure the opening along the top of the window, then measure along the bottom. It is advisable to select a shutter width one-third or one-fourth of the window to simulate the use of three or four shutters to cover the opening.

2. To determine the height of the shutter, measure from the top of the window reveal/lintel down to the top of the windowsill. In some areas, it is common to measure the glass of the window and install exterior shutters that look like they will cover the glass entirely, but not the entire opening.