Tips To Effectively Measure Your Windows for Interior Shutters

Tips To Effectively Measure Your Windows for Interior Shutters

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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

Understand the Anatomy of Your Window

Understand the Anatomy of Your Window

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Windows are one of the most common elements in homes and buildings. Today, modern manufacturing technology allows for the production of a seemingly unlimited array of window sizes, styles and designs, including faux shutters and other specialty window coverings. Although customizing your windows has become a popular practice, each window is mostly comprised of the same set of parts, or components. Understanding what these are and how they work is essential when it comes to repair and replacement projects. All it takes is a bit of technical know-how to be able to handle most basic home improvement jobs, including those concerning windows. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by becoming familiar with the individual pieces of your window.

Windows 101

The vertically running side pieces on the frame that support the glass are called the stiles. The sash refers to the entire frame, including the stiles along with the top and the bottom-situated rails. The glass insert is held in place by the sash. Muntins are the grids that prevent the glass from falling out, and they range from simple snap-on inserts to decorative sections (also known as lights) that are designed in various patterns. This part can be found on the interior or exterior of the window, though oftentimes the muntins are situated on both sides for extra support. On high-end, thermally insulated window types, the grid is installed between the glass panes, making for easier cleaning and overall window maintenance. You are probably familiar with the term glazing, but what most people fail to understand is that this does not refer to a procedure, but rather the number of panes a window has. Double-glazed windows consist of two glass panes and triple-glazed have three. Understandably, the more glazing a window has, the higher its energy-efficiency and subsequent R-value (the ratio at which heat dissipates through the glass). Aprons are the horizontal boards that lie beneath the windowsill and are attached to the wall. The stool, or sill, is the window’s protruding shelf-like section located on the interior side. Other parts include the side casing, head casing, jambs (side pieces that hold the sash), rails (vertical and horizontal frame pieces), operator (cranking mechanism) and the latch (the locking device). Now that you know more about your home’s windows, you can knowledgeably shop for Atlanta shutters. Eclipse Shutters offers a number of interior shutters with multiple design options to enhance the look of your windows and the overall interior design of your home.