Plantation Shutters Measuring Guide

Step 1

What you’ll need

A metal measuring tape. Fabric tapes have slack and aren’t accurate enough.
Paper and a pen to record each window — label everything width and height so you don’t mix them up later.
A step ladder, if any of your windows are tall.
About 5–10 minutes per window. A second pair of hands makes wide or high windows easier.

Step 2

Before you start

Decide on your fit. Shutters can sit inside the window recess (recess fit) or fix to the wall over the opening (face fit) — see below.
Check your recess depth if you’re going for a recess fit. You’ll want at least 70mm of clear depth, measured from any handle, lock or alarm sensor out to the front of the recess. Less than that, and face fit is usually the better-looking option.
Know what you’re attaching to. Timber reveals and wall studs are the easiest surfaces. Solid masonry and tiled reveals work too — just take a little more care with fixings.

Step 3

Choose your fit

Recess fit (inside mount)

The frame sits inside the window opening for a neat, built-in look. Best when your recess is at least 70mm deep with minimal obstructions.

A cleaner, more discreet finish.
Choose an L frame for a slim profile, or a Z frame if your window is slightly out of square.

Face fit (outside mount)

The frame fixes to the wall or architrave, covering the opening from the outside. Best for shallow recesses, or when you want the largest possible glass area.

Works on almost any window, recess or not.
A great option over tiled reveals or where there’s an obstruction inside the recess.

Step 4

Measure your windows

Measure width at three points — top, middle and bottom — and height at three points — left, middle and right. Write down the smallest of each. Don’t subtract anything for clearance; we allow for that automatically. If your three measurements vary by more than 10mm, give us a call before ordering.

Recess fit

Measure inside the recess:

Width: left to right across the opening.
Height: top to bottom of the opening.

Face fit

Measure the outer edges of the architrave (or the area you’d like the shutters to cover):

Width: outer left edge to outer right edge.
Height: top to bottom, including the architrave.

Windows with a sill

Measure to the top of the sill, not the wall below it:

Width: side to side at the narrowest point of the recess, just above the sill.
Height: top of the recess down to the top of the sill.
Sill depth: front to back, so we can check there’s enough flat surface for the frame to sit on.

Ordering a tall window with a midrail?

A midrail is the horizontal bar that splits a shutter panel in two, and adds strength on taller windows. As a rough guide:

Windows over about 1500mm tall usually take one midrail. Measure from the bottom of the opening up to where you’d like it to sit — ideally level with a horizontal window bar, or below eye height if there isn’t one.
Windows over about 2100mm tall usually take two, evenly spaced unless you tell us otherwise.
No strong preference? We’ll space it evenly for you by default.

Ordering three or more panels?

Wider windows are usually split into multiple panels joined by a T-post, so each one stays easy to open and close.

Fewer panels let in more light, so our design centre will always suggest the least number that comfortably suits your window width.
If you’d like a T-post to line up with a vertical bar in your window, measure from the left inside edge of the opening to the centre of that bar and note it down.
No preference? We’ll space your panels evenly by default.

Step 5

Tips for a spot-on measurement

Always record measurements in millimetres, not centimetres or inches.
Label every measurement width or height as you go — it’s easy to swap them by accident once you’ve done a few windows.
Measure every window separately, even ones that look identical. Most homes have small variations from opening to opening.
Double-check your figures before starting your quote. It only takes a moment and saves a follow-up call.

Before we manufacture, we’ll contact you to confirm precise measurements. Every shutter is custom made to fit your exact window.

Ready to measure your own windows?

Grab your tape measure and get a live price as you enter each window — we’ll confirm every measurement with you before anything is cut.

How to measurefor plantation shutters