So you are ready to order but you need your opening measurements to add to our online site calculator and order pages. Don’t despair as it is easy to provide accurate measurements for us to put your order into production. Just follow these simple rules below and all will be tranquil.
Skip to the bottom with you or get to the measuring!
In this tutorial, I first go through some of the things you need to know if you are measuring your own windows for shutters.
Tools for Measuring for New Shutters
This can be a complicated as you like but a 5m tape measure will do just fine. If you have just pulled an old tape out of the drawer just check that it is in good usable condition and that the metal hook can slide freely.
What kind of new shutters am I ordering?
Well, what kind of wood shutters do you want in your window opening? We make shutters of three main styles of construction. These include ledge and brace, ledge only or without any framing to the rear of the shutter.
Does the style of shutter affect the measurement?
The quick answer to this is no. The same measurements for our shutters are the same for each construction Style.
Should I order a single shutter or a pair of shutters?
Most of our customers seem to prefer a pair of shutters But you could have a single shutter. Normally a single shutter is best for small windows. Another reason to order a single shutter is if there’s no room for a pair of shutters to open fully. This might be because there is an obstruction on one side of the window.
What to look out for?
It is not only the size of the hole that is important. You may have other situations that could alter your requirements for this new order.
colourful shutters of FranceHave a good look around
It is a good idea to step back and analyse the window and check for any obstruction that could be in the way.
Are there any obstructions?
Common things to watch out for are downpipes, protruding stone. One often overlooked scenario: is there enough space for the shutter to open to the wall. If you have two windows close to each other will there be enough room for both shutters to open against the wall?
No room? then bi-fold shutters could be a good compromise!
If there are limited space bifold shutters may be your best option. Bifold shutters are shutters which have each shutter divided into half or thirds with hinges so the shutter can fold back reducing the total width. If you need bifold please use the special order form or send a message requesting a quote.
Brick, Stone or Wooden Reveal?
In France, the window surrounds can be constructed in Brick, Stone or Wood but these can have a myriad of different techniques of a build. We have to remember these old French homes have been built with similar techniques over hundreds of years with only minor differences.
Is your Window or Door Opening Square?
These old French houses are often built with stone and clay and sit on soft foundations because of this they move with the ground. The winter freeze can cause heave and in the summer they can subside. This movement can cause any square holes to be pulled out of square and if you suspect this is the case it is a good I check for square? The answer is to measure corner to corner and if these two measurements are equal or at least close to equal your opening is square.
External vs Internal opening Windows
We do have many requests for shutters for houses in the United Kingdom but I don’t think these enquiries come from individuals who realise that their windows open outwards!! The result will be you will not be able to close your new shutters on the first floor. Shutters are not compatible with externally opening windows.
OK, How do I Measure?
You will need to measure the width and height of the opening at the widest and longest points. If you have a rebate around the outside edge that is where the shutter rests and that is where you have to measure.
How to measure a simple window opening?
how to measure Volets- Analyse window surround
- Decide whether the surround is rebated or 90 degrees (If rebated measure to the extreme of the rebate but if Square just measure to the edge)
- Check opening is Square
- Use a wide tape measure such as a 5m
- Measure the width of the window opening
- Measure in several places and choose the largest measurement
- Write the measurement on our downloadable measuring template
- Measure the height of window opening
- Measure in several places and choose the largest measurement
- Write the measurement on our downloadable template
- Clearly describe the window measured for instance: kitchen window
- Make a note with the opening on the template of any issues found
- Repeat process for each window shutter to be ordered
How to Measure for Arch Top Shutters
how to Measure for Arch top Shutters- Analyse window surround
- Decide whether the surround is rebated or 90 degrees (If rebated measure to the extreme of the rebate but if Square just measure to the edge)
- Check opening is Square
- Use a wide tape measure such as a 5m
- Measure the width of the window opening
- Measure in several places and choose the largest measurement
- Write the measurement on our downloadable measuring template
- Measure Maximum height the top of the arch
- Measure to the start of the arch on each Edge left and right
- Write the measurement on our downloadable template
- Clearly describe the window measured for instance: kitchen window
- Make a note with the opening on the template of any issues found
- Repeat process for each window shutter to be ordered
If you have a curve top then measure the width as you would normally do but also the radius of the curve and where it started on the left side and the right side.
Not quite an Arch?
If your window opening is not a uniform radius Arch? Please provide us with the tallest measurement. We can then make the shutter Square and you will be able to trim to the correct shape.
But I already have Pintels!
If you already have pintails which are the parts that the hinge strap fits onto. You may want to reuse these Pintels.
If you want to reuse a Pintels we will need to know their position. The reason why we would like to know the position of the Pintel is that the ledge will need to be inline.
How to measure for the Pintels.
- For each side of the shutter opening
- Measure from the bottom of the shutter to the bottom of the first Pintel
- Measure the height of the Pintel for each side of opening the bottle
- Then measure the distance between each Pintel on each side of the window opening ( the window opening is the same as the shutter opening)
- Write measurement clearly onto our downloadable template
Should I allow clearance?
If you think it is necessary to allow clearance than alone 5mm pay gap. This means you would allow 5mm for each Edge that meets the wall and 5mm for the middle of a pair. this equates to a total of 15mm For a pair of shutters or 10mm for a single shutter.
If you are unsure then just measure the opening without any clearance allowance. Because of how we position our ledges there is plenty of room to trim your shutters to fit your window opening perfectly.
WARNING
If you are considering on using the old pintels be warned that the new strap hinges may not be compatible with the old Pintels. Check first.
Why Do I Write these?
We write these articles to help you and hope you find them Instructional. I will be updating this topic on a regular basis so please return to keep a check on things.
About Us, I Suppose You Might Be Interested?
We have lived and worked here in the Limousin Nouvelle Aquitaine since 2010, building window shutters and external doors. Our Volet manufacturing business is based at our home property as a ‘Cottage Industry’. We are a small business operating partly off the grid and try our best to practice our woodworking ethically.
Please Comment
If you have any corrections or topics you think that we should add please leave a comment. If you think we deserve it a Share would be nice.
French is not our Native language and I hope you can forgive us if we have made mistakes in any translation. We would very much appreciate your help if you find anything that has poorly translated that you would leave a comment so we can correct the mistake.