Common Mistakes to Avoid When Measuring Windows for Custom Shutters

Introduction

Installing custom shutters can enhance the aesthetics of your home while also providing privacy and insulating benefits. With made-to-order shutters sized specifically for your windows, you can achieve a clean, cohesive look in your interior design. However, in order to end up with properly fitted shutters, accurate window measurements are a must. Even small measurement mistakes can lead to poorly sized shutters that don’t fit right or function as intended.

Don’t worry! While the measuring process requires precision, it is straightforward enough for any homeowner to tackle. By following some simple best practices and avoiding common measuring mistakes, you can ensure your custom shutters are made to fit your windows flawlessly. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of the measuring process, along with tips to help you achieve precise measurements for custom shutters suited to your home’s unique windows.

How Are Custom Shutters Sized?

Before we dive into the step-by-step measuring guide, it helps to understand some basics about how made-to-order shutters are sized. Custom shutters should be sized to fit inside the window frame, so the measurements you provide are for the visible glass area within the frame.

Interior shutters typically come in two styles:

Tier on tier: Shutters are divided into an upper and lower section that are hinged separately. Each tier covers about one half of the window height.
Single tier: A single shutter panel covers the full height of the window.

The shutters will be constructed according to the proportions of your window measurements. Shutter widths are usually built in 3 inch increments. For the height, manufacturers can accommodate custom sizes in 1/4 inch increments.

When taking measurements, you’ll need to record the window width and height. Provide any other special dimensions, like the depth of an inset window. For tier on tier shutters, you’ll measure each tier separately. Having accurate vertical and horizontal measurements enables the shutters to be sized correctly.

Now let’s get started with the step-by-step measuring guide!

Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Windows for Custom Shutters

Follow these steps to measure your windows accurately for custom shutters:

#1: Gather the Right Measuring Tools

Having the proper measuring tools on hand will make getting accurate measurements much easier:

Metal tape measure. Choose a tape measure that is sturdy and won’t flex. Opt for a 25 foot tape to easily measure large windows.
Carpenter’s square. A sturdy, steel square will help you measure right angles precisely.
Pencil and paper. Record all measurements to submit.
Ladder or step stool. Use to access hard to reach windows.
Cloth measuring tape. A flexible cloth tape can contour to curved windows.
Digital caliper. For very small measurement increments, a digital caliper is perfect.

#2: Determine if the Window is Square

Before measuring the window pane opening, it’s crucial to determine if the window is perfectly square or slightly out of square. Windows that appear square to the naked eye may actually be slightly out of square.

Use the carpenter’s square to check vertical and horizontal angles:

Place the square in the bottom corner of the window frame. The short edge should precisely align vertically and the long edge horizontally.
Repeat in the top corner and other side corners, aligning the square’s edges with the window frame.
If the lines are not flush in both orientations, the window is out of square. Make a note of this for the measurements.

#3: Measure Widths and Record Accurately

Now you’re ready to measure the visible glass area within the frames. It’s easiest to start with the horizontal widths:

Top width. Measure from inside edge to inside edge across the top of the window frame. Record the exact measurement.
Bottom width. Repeat for the bottom width.
Mid width. For larger windows, also measure a middle width and record it.
Multiple panes? If there are separations between horizontal panes, measure and record the width of each opening.

Remember to deduct any framing widths from your measurements. You want the exact glass size inside the panes.

For irregular-shaped windows:

Use a flexible cloth tape to follow the contours.
Record the width at the window’s widest point.
Break the area into rectangular sections and measure widths of each.

Once you have all horizontal measurements recorded, double check your numbers to ensure accuracy.

#4: Measure Vertical Dimensions

Next up is measuring the floor-to-ceiling height:

Left stile. Measure from the window sill up to the frame header and record.
Right stile. Repeat on the opposite side.
Mid stile. Take a center height measurement too.

As you record heights, make sure your measurements align horizontally across the width.

For multi-pane windows:

Measure the vertical dimensions from sill to header within each pane.

Take incremental height measurements if needed to account for variances.

#5: Calculate Total Square Inches

With width and height measurements complete, you can calculate the total glass area for the shutters:

Multiply: Pick your longest horizontal and vertical measurements. Multiply width x height.
Repeat: Calculate area for each pane using the same method.
Add: Total the square inch measurements for all panes.

This will give the minimum shutter coverage needed. Manufacturers will use a bit over to ensure full coverage.

#6: Double Check Vertically and Horizontally

Verifying your measurements helps spot any small errors:

Re-measure all vertical dimensions, sill to header. Confirm they match your initial numbers.
Do the same for the horizontal widths, re-measuring each one.
Ensure your vertical and horizontal measurements align logically based on the window pane layout.

Make any corrections needed.

#7: Account for the Window Depth

The depth of an inset window can impact the fit of shutters:

For inset windows, measure the window frame depth.
This is from the wall surface to the front edge of the window trim molding.
Note any special clearance needs for crank handles if applicable.

Provide the depth and clearance information with your measurements.

#8: Take Pictures!

Photographing the window provides helpful visual context:

Take full shots showing the entire window on the wall.
Get detail images of hinges, handles or any special features.
Pictures give manufacturers more information to design your shutters accurately.

That covers the key steps for measuring windows precisely for custom shutters suited to your space. Follow these best practices to get the right measurements the first time.

9 Common Window Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

Even veteran DIYers make some common mistakes when self-measuring for custom shutters and window treatments. Avoid setbacks and extra costs by steering clear of these common measuring errors:

1. Not Using a Steel Measuring Tape

Flimsy cloth tapes and wooden rulers easily bend and flex. This makes it hard to get straight measurements, especially vertically.

Always use an inflexible steel measuring tape when measuring for shutters. The rigidity ensures your measurements remain straight and precise.

2. Measuring from the Outside Edge of Window Frames

It’s easy to make this mistake if you aren’t paying close attention! Measure from the inside edges of the window frame to get the visible glass size.

Outside frame dimensions will result in shutters being made too small to adequately cover the window.

3. Failing to Account for Window Crank Handles

If measuring windows with crank opening hardware, make sure to note handle placement.

Add at least 1/2 inch clearance into the width measurement so shutters don’tbump the handle. Failing to do so means you’ll end up with shutters too wide to open and close properly.

4. Not Checking for Out of Square Windows

Windows that appear square can actually be a little out of square once measured. Small variations can impact shutter fit.

Always use a carpenter’s square to determine if a window is precisely square or slightly out of square before measuring.

5. Measuring in the Wrong Place Vertically

Novice DIYers sometimes measure from the top of the window down to the sill, or vice versa.

Always measure from sill up to header horizontally. Measuring up and down can result in small inaccuracies.

6. Ignoring Measurement Discrepancies

With windows, small measurement discrepancies are common from stile to stile. However, you should measure each side of the window carefully rather than assume it’s perfectly square.

Note any measurement differences greater than 1/4 inch. Manufacturers can then adjust the shutters accordingly to match the asymmetries.

7. Measuring Only Width and Height

While collecting the width and height gives the overall glass dimensions, additional measurements are useful.

Also take midpoint dimensions on larger windows and measure pane segments. More data allows more shutter shaping precision.

8. Forgetting the Window Depth

For windows set into the wall, measuring depth is crucial for proper shutter clearance.

Always note the measurement from the wall to the front edge of an inset window’s frame. Don’t forget crank hardware depth too.

9. Not Writing Measurements Down

Trusting yourself to remember the measurements is a recipe for errors.

Always write down every measurement as you take it to avoid mix-ups. Sloppy record keeping leads to poorly fitted shutters.

Being aware of these common measuring mistakes will help ensure your shutter measuring success!

Shutters Measuring Tips and Tricks

Follow these pro tips when measuring for mistake-proof shutter sizing:

Use two steel tape measures to verify your numbers as you go.
Have an assistant confirm your measurements for a second set of eyes.
Take photos of measurements on the tape to reference later when ordering.
Double and triple check right angles with a high-quality square.
Measure multiple times over separate days to catch any discrepancies.
Never round measurements up or down – provide the exact numbers.
Note which side stiles and headers you measured if the window is irregular.
Write measurements in multiple places to avoid losing numbers.
Consider ordering sample size shutters first to test for proper fit.

With the right techniques and tools, DIY shutter measuring can be simple. Just remember – precision is key for custom shutters that fit like a glove!

FAQs About Measuring for Custom Shutters

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about properly measuring windows for custom shutters:

Should interior and exterior window measurements be different?

For most standard windows, the interior and exterior measurements should be very similar when measured correctly. However in some cases, small measurement differences of 1/4 to 1/2 inch can arise:

Window trim molding on the interior side creates a slightly smaller inside frame opening.
Wall thickness can account for a small discrepancy between interior and exterior side.
An out of square window may measure slightly different inside versus outside.

Unless the discrepancies are more than 1/2 inch, either set of measurements will work fine for shutters. Just be sure to note “interior” or “exterior” dimension when ordering.

How do I measure for shutters around arched windows?

Arched windows require a flexible tape to follow the curved contours:

First, determine the peak height at the arch’s center point. Then measure widths at the base, midpoint, and peak. For the depth, wrap the tape measure around the back of the arched window to capture the full curvature.

Provide all these dimensions so shutters can be custom-shaped to the arch. A simple width and height won’t be sufficient.

Should I measure each window individually?

Yes, for accuracy each window should be measured individually. Even windows that appear identical on the same wall can show slight variations once carefully measured.

Measuring each window opening as a standalone unit reduces chances of shutters being poorly sized because of small discrepancies between windows.

How precise do measurements need to be?

It’s best to provide window measurements precise to the closest 1/8 or 1/16 of an inch. Shutters have tight fitting tolerances, so every fractional inch matters for proper coverage and function.

Avoid rounding measurements up or down. Use a digital caliper if needing to measure to small fractions. Precision is key!

Can I order sample size shutters first to test fit?

Many shutter companies offer inexpensive sample size vinyl shutters for testing measurements. Ordering a single sample shutter sized to your window dimensions lets you verify fit prior to purchasing a full set.

Test shutters also help confirm you accounted for handles, hinges and other obstructions correctly. Highly recommended for DIYers tackling shutter measuring for the first time.

Following the tips outlined in this guide will set you up for measuring success when ordering custom shutters sized just right for your windows. Be sure to avoid the common mistakes that could throw off your DIY measurements. Careful attention to detail and precision is key. With properly sized shutters, you’ll have windows framed beautifully in a style that enhances your home’s décor.

Conclusion

Installing stunning, properly fitted custom shutters starts with precise window measurements. Avoid frustration by steering clear of the missteps even experienced DIYers make. Use the right tools, check for squareness, note all dimensions, verify your numbers, and account for window irregularities. Follow the guidelines above to measure like a pro so your custom shutters fit your windows flawlessly.

With quality shutters sized just for your windows, you can control light and privacy while defining your home’s aesthetic. Our team of shutters experts is ready to turn your meticulous measurements into the perfect custom shutters. Contact us today to get started!