Measuring your windows correctly before ordering exterior shutters is essential to ensure a perfect fit and proper functionality. Whether you want to install decorative or functional shutters, precise measurements will save time, money, and potential frustration. This guide walks you through each step, from gathering the right tools to accurately measuring various shutters. Properly measured shutters not only improve the appearance of your home but can also contribute to energy efficiency and protection from the elements.
Accurate measurements allow the shutters to fit seamlessly, avoiding awkward gaps, improper fits, or shutters that are too small or too large. In addition, whether your shutters are purely decorative or fully functional, they can enhance your home’s curb appeal, contributing to its value and aesthetic appeal.
Step 1: Gather Tools and Prepare
Before measuring shutters, having the right tools is essential for accuracy and efficiency. Here’s what you’ll need to start:
- Steel Tape Measure: Essential for precise measurements.
- Ladder: Required for reaching tall or hard-to-access windows.
- Pencil and Paper: Handy for recording measurements as you go.
- Level: Crucial for ensuring that your measurements are perfectly horizontal or vertical.
- Drill (optional): Useful for marking drill points on hard surfaces like masonry.
Organizing these tools beforehand can streamline your measuring process, making it smoother and more effective. A level is particularly important; it guarantees that your shutters will be correctly aligned during installation, preventing any skew or tilt that could impact functionality and aesthetics.
Step 2: Inspect the Window
Before you measure, a thorough inspection of the window and its immediate environment is crucial. Look for potential obstructions that might hinder the shutter installation process. These can include:
- Physical Obstructions: Downspouts, rooflines, and nearby trees that may block the shutter’s path.
- Architectural Features: Trim or molding that could complicate the installation.
- Proximity Issues: Ensure adequate space between closely situated windows or corners to accommodate the shutters without overlap.
Additionally, assess the condition of the window frame itself. Check for wood rot, loose trim, or any other damage that might affect the stability or installation of the shutters. Addressing these issues before proceeding with measurements is vital; unresolved problems could alter the frame’s dimensions or lead to further complications during installation.
Step 3: Measure the Window Width
Measuring the window width accurately is crucial for ensuring your shutters fit perfectly. Here’s how to proceed:
- Measure the Width at Three Points: Start by measuring the inside width of the window from the left edge to the right edge at three different heights: the top, middle, and bottom of the window. This approach helps account for potential warping or irregularities in the window frame.
- Use the Smallest Measurement: Use the smallest of the three width measurements. This ensures the shutters fit properly within the window frame and can operate smoothly without any obstruction.
- Allow for Clearance: Subtract a quarter to a half inch from the smallest measurement. This clearance is essential for ensuring the shutters can close properly without being too tight within the window frame.
- Adjust for Shutter Type: If you install decorative shutters, you might allow for a bit more clearance since they don’t need to close as tightly. However, precise measurements are key for functional shutters to ensure they open and close smoothly.
- Consider Shutter Quantity: To balance aesthetics and functionality, it’s advisable to use one shutter on each side for windows wider than 45 inches. For narrower windows, a single shutter might suffice.
For a comprehensive visual guide and additional tips on accurate measurement, visit how to measure window for exterior shutters.
Step 4: Measure the Window Height
Accurate height measurement is as important as width to ensure your shutters fit snugly.
- Measure at Three Vertical Points: Measure the height from the inside top to the inside bottom of the window frame at three points: the left, center, and right sides. This ensures you consider any variances in the window construction.
- Select the Smallest Measurement: Take the smallest of these three measurements as your reference to avoid any issues with an uneven frame (Shutterland Exterior Shutters, Timberlane).
- Subtract for Clearance: Deduct a quarter to a half inch from this measurement for proper clearance. This space is crucial for the shutters to operate smoothly and close correctly.
- Tailor to Window Type: If the window has a sill, measure to the top of the sill instead of the bottom of the window frame. This adjustment is important for the shutters to fit properly in the window space
- Precision for Functional Use: While decorative shutters can be slightly more forgiving in measurements, functional shutters require precise dimensions to ensure they perform as intended.
Step 5: Consider Shutter Depth (for Functional Shutters)
For functional shutters that need to open and close smoothly, it’s essential to accurately measure the depth of the window jamb. This step ensures the shutters fit properly within the window opening and operate without hindrance.
- Measure the Depth: Use a measuring tape to find the distance from the back of the side jamb to the front of the window casing. This measurement indicates how deep the shutters can fit inside the opening without unduly protruding.
- Adjust for Shallow Openings: If the window jamb is too shallow for the shutters to nest comfortably inside, you might need to install the shutters on the wall’s surface. In such cases, using hinges that allow the shutters to swing freely can be a practical solution.
- Use Specialized Hinges for Shallow Depths: For window openings that lack sufficient depth, consider using “new construction shutter hinges.” These hinges are designed to accommodate shutters in shallow spaces, ensuring they can close fully and function properly without extensive modifications to the window structure .
Step 6: Account for Decorative Shutters
When it comes to decorative shutters, while precision in fitting within the window opening isn’t as critical as with functional shutters, proportion and aesthetic balance are key.
- Proportional Sizing: Ideally, each decorative shutter should be about half the width of the window. This guideline helps maintain a balanced look that complements the home’s architectural style.
- Opt for Standard Sizes: Whenever possible, choose standard shutter sizes. These are generally easier to install and more cost-effective than custom-sized shutters. Standard sizes are designed to meet typical window dimensions and often fit satisfactorily.
- Importance of Accurate Measurements: Although decorative shutters are more forgiving, inaccurate measurements can lead to a disproportionate look that may detract from the home’s overall aesthetics. Ensuring that shutters are well-proportioned to the window size is crucial for enhancing the exterior appearance of your property.
Step 7: Final Tips for Measurement Accuracy
Accurate measurements ensure your shutters fit perfectly and function as intended. Here are some final tips to help guarantee precision:
- Double-Check Measurements: Always measure each dimension twice. This helps prevent errors from misreading the tape measure or marking the wrong point. Repeating measurements ensures you account for discrepancies and get the most accurate results.
- Seek a Second Opinion: If possible, have another person review your measurements. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you might have overlooked and confirm the accuracy before you proceed.
- Specialty Windows: For windows with unique shapes, such as arched or radius-top windows, it’s important to employ specific measuring techniques. Make sure to measure both the highest and lowest points of the arch carefully to ensure the shutters will effectively accommodate the entire window shape.
- Consult Professionals: If you have doubts about your measurements or the installation process, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a professional. Additionally, manufacturer guides can be invaluable resources. Many manufacturers provide measurement cheat sheets that can simplify the process and help avoid common pitfalls.
Conclusion
Accurate window measurements ensure your exterior shutters fit well and enhance your home’s curb appeal. The process requires attention to detail, whether installing functional shutters for weather protection or decorative ones for aesthetics. Following this step-by-step guide, you’ll avoid common pitfalls like too large, too small, or awkwardly proportioned shutters.
Double-checking your measurements and accounting for special window features will ensure a smoother installation process and a more professional result. Properly measured and installed shutters improve your home’s appearance and add value, making them a worthwhile investment for any homeowner.