Tips To Effectively Measure Your Windows for Interior Shutters

Proper fit is essential for your shutters. Measuring the window opening is not difficult, but it has to be done correctly to ensure that the shutters fit correctly and look their best. It is also necessary for them to shut out light and outside temperatures. When measuring, you should always use a steel measuring tape.

Measuring for an Inside Mount Installation

Shutters with an inside mount cover only the inside of the opening. To get the width measurement, you will measure between the side window jambs or casings. You should also take a diagonal measurement from the top left to the bottom right. The height is measured from the inside edge of the top casing to the window sill (or floor, if the shutters will extend that far). At Eclipse Shutters, we recommend measuring in three places for both the width and height. Measure the inside width at top, middle and bottom and record the smallest measurement and round down to the nearest 1/8”. Measure the height at left, middle, and right and record the smallest measurement and round down to the nearest 1/8”. If your window is 3/8 inch or more out of square, you likely need an outside mount.

Measuring for an Outside Mount Installation

With an outside mount, the shutters cover the entire window opening, including the trim. To determine the width for these, you measure the entire space between the outer edges of the side trim. Measure trim to trim width at top, middle and bottom and record the largest measurements and round up to the nearest 1/8”. Measure trim to trim height at left, middle and right and record the largest measurement and round up to the nearest 1/8”.

Watch Our Helpful Video

At Eclipse Shutters, we want to give our customers as many tools as possible to help them choose the right interior shutters. These include helpful videos so that you can watch how the processes are done. One of these videos shows exactly how to measure windows for both inside and outside mount installations. These videos are available on our website. Image Courtesy of: Ashley Pate Designs