Measure for Wood Exterior Shutters Video

This video explains how to measure for custom wood colonial shutters, whether they will be functional or permanently mounted. It covers shutter styles, sizing and clearance guidelines, divider-rail placement, hinge offsets, hardware, and special window conditions. Accurate measurements should be recorded for every window before selecting a finish and placing an order.

Transcript:

Let’s walk through the measuring process for wood colonial-style exterior window shutters. This video is the first in a two-part series that concludes with the video for installing wood shutters.

Measuring requires minimal time and only basic equipment, including a steel tape measure, a sturdy ladder, and a notepad and pencil for recording your measurements.

Exterior wood shutters are built from hand-selected, kiln-dried lumber using time-tested construction techniques for exceptional strength, dimensional stability, and unrivaled beauty.

Louvered shutters are constructed with individual slats suspended between the side stiles, with space between the louvers to allow air to pass through.

Solid-panel shutters are available in three designs: raised panel, Shaker-style, and flat panel. The central solid panel floats between the stiles and rails and is constructed from our composite material for the best overall performance.

Combination shutters incorporate louvers and a solid panel into a single shutter. Premium wood louvered shutters, wood solid-panel shutters, and wood combination shutters are an impressive 1½ inches thick.

Wood board-and-batten shutters feature vertical boards and horizontal battens. They can be installed using the same general methods as the other shutter styles, but they may require a different type of hinge to align with and accommodate the batten position. Both the boards and battens are 1 inch thick.

Economy pine shutters are assembled using the same techniques as premium wood shutters but are less substantial at 1 inch thick.

All wood shutter styles are manufactured in quarter-inch increments in both width and height.

Wood Bahama shutters are also available, but they require a different measuring procedure. See our video, “How to Measure for Bahama Shutters,” for complete instructions.

Functional and Stationary Shutters

There are two methods for installing wood shutters on an exterior window, and each requires a slightly different approach to measuring.

Later in this video, we will explain how to measure for stationary shutters mounted in a fixed position beside the window. First, we will discuss measuring for functional shutters that use hinges to swing or pivot from a position beside the window to cover the window opening.

Functional shutter hardware can enhance the overall appearance of the shutters and is sometimes preferred by homeowners even when the shutters may never be closed.

Measuring Functional Shutters for an Inset Installation

Begin by measuring the depth of the window opening. If the depth is greater than the thickness of the shutter and you want the closed shutters to nest inside the opening, measure the width from inside edge to inside edge.

Measure the opening in three places and record the smallest dimension.

Next, subtract the amount needed for clearance. We suggest allowing ¼ inch on each side and ¼ inch between the two shutters. Divide the remaining measurement by two to determine the width of each individual shutter.

Measure the height from the top of the window opening to the bottom of the opening. Deduct a small amount for clearance to determine the shutter height. We recommend a ¼-inch gap between the top of the window opening and the shutter and another ¼-inch gap between the sill and the bottom of the shutter.

Measuring Functional Shutters for an Outside-Mount Installation

Shallow window openings may not allow the shutters to nest inside the opening. In that case, the shutters will close in front of the window casing.

Measure the total window width, extending beyond the opening by at least ½ inch on each side. For the installation shown here, we have chosen to align the shutters with the outside edges of the window molding.

Subtract a small amount for clearance, no more than ¼ inch, and divide the remaining measurement by two to calculate the width of each shutter.

Occasionally, an obstruction prevents shutters from being installed on both sides of a window. In that situation, it is perfectly acceptable to install one full-width shutter on a single side.

The shutter height should overlap the window opening by at least ½ inch at both the top and bottom. In this example, we have chosen to align the shutter height with the top and bottom edges of the molding.

Divider-Rail Placement

Wood shutters can be made with a divider rail that creates separate upper and lower sections.

Specify the divider-rail location by measuring from the bottom of the shutter to the desired center of the divider rail.

Shutters less than 90 inches tall can be made without a divider rail, allowing the louvers or solid-panel area to extend continuously from the top rail to the bottom rail.

Selecting Functional Shutter Hinges

Standard surface-mounted strap hinges and New York-style L-shaped hinges are commonly used to install wood shutters.

The pintle portion of the hinge attaches to the structure outside the window opening. When shutters will close inside a recessed opening, position the pintle as close to the opening as possible.

The strap portion of the hinge slides over the pintle and attaches to the top and bottom rails of the shutter.

Hinges used for inset shutters typically have equal pintle and strap offsets. Once fully installed, the shutters can swing open and rest beside the window.

“Throw” is the distance from the base of the pintle to the back of the shutter when the shutter is open. It is equal to the combined offsets of the pintle and hinge strap.

In some situations, a greater throw is necessary for the shutter to swing clear of an obstruction. Take the appropriate measurements to determine the required throw.

Shutters that close in front of the window need pintles with an offset larger than the strap-hinge offset. The difference between the two offsets must be equal to or greater than the shutter thickness.

Wood shutters weigh approximately 2½ pounds per square foot and can usually be supported with two hinges. Larger shutters may benefit from a third or fourth hinge.

Shutter dogs are used to hold shutters in the open position. They rotate out of the way to release the shutters and allow them to close.

Measuring Stationary Shutters

Measurements for stationary shutters are slightly more forgiving because the shutters do not need to operate.

Measure the total window width from the far-left edge of the trim to the corresponding point on the opposite side. Divide that measurement by two to determine the approximate width of each shutter.

Ideally, the width of each fixed exterior shutter should equal half the width of the window. This creates the appearance that the shutters could close and cover the opening.

Limitations in the available mounting surface may require ordering shutters that are slightly narrower than the ideal size.

Occasionally, an obstruction prevents shutters from being installed on both sides of the window. It is acceptable to install one full-width shutter on a single side.

Wide windows require appropriately sized shutters that should, in concept, equal the width of the opening when combined. However, some windows are simply too wide to accommodate full-width shutters.

Avoid choosing an arbitrary shutter width. Instead, try to select a size that represents a realistic and easily divisible portion of the total window width.

Historical shutter heights aligned with the window opening. However, this approach can sometimes cause shutters to appear too short in relation to the overall window.

Today, shutters installed primarily for decorative purposes are more commonly made to match the full height of the window casing. This often creates a more balanced and symmetrical appearance.

Choose the height that best reflects the architecture and character of your windows.

Installing Stationary Wood Shutters

Stationary wood shutters are installed with polycarbonate V-shaped mounting brackets.

One side of each bracket attaches to the building with long stainless-steel screws. Shorter screws then secure the shutter to the bracket.

Recording Measurements and Selecting a Finish

Record every dimension carefully and label each measurement with its corresponding window location.

Wood shutters are sold individually, so you can order a single shutter when necessary.

Measure every window independently to ensure accuracy. Do not assume that windows that appear similar are exactly the same size.

This is also a good time to select the wood shutter finish. You may choose a color that coordinates with the window trim, siding, or front door.

Select from our standard range of paint colors or provide a custom color for a precise match. Wood shutters can also be ordered unfinished or primed only for finishing on-site.

Once your wood shutters are delivered, watch our installation video for helpful guidance on mounting them safely and efficiently.

ShutterLand is committed to helping you select the best exterior shutters for your windows. Visit ShutterLand.com to explore our complete range of styles and materials, along with detailed specifications, pricing, and ordering information.

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