Browse Shutter Guide
General
- Our Plantation Shutters
- Imported vs Local Plantation Shutters
- Why Choose Plantation Shutters?
- How Much Do Plantation Shutters Cost?
- Where Did Plantation Shutters Originate?
- Plantation Shutters vs Blinds
- Choosing the Best Shutter Material
- Plantation Shutters for Kitchens
- Are PVC Shutters Safe?
- How to Photograph Your Windows
Performance
Care
Frames
- Complete Guide to Shutter Frame Types
- Inside Z-Frame
- Inside L-Frame
- Outside L-Frame
- What Is an Inside Mount?
- What Is an Outside Mount?
Customisation
- Choosing the Right Shutter Colour
- A Guide to Shutter Panels
- Choosing the Right Panel Configuration
- Should Shutters Match Your Window Trim?
Mounting
- Inside vs Outside Mount Plantation Shutters
- What Type of Window Do I Have?
- What Is a Window Recess?
- Should I Inside or Outside Mount My Shutters?
- A Guide to Architraves
- What Is a Window Sill?
Tricky Windows
Getting Started
- Quick Measuring for a Shutter Quote
- How to Measure a Window Recess for Shutters
- Complete Guide to Measuring for Plantation Shutters
Midrails
Custom Panels
Inside Mount
- How to Measure Your Window Recess
- Measuring for an Inside Mount
- Measuring an Inside Mount Window with a Sill
- Managing Window Obstructions
Outside Mount
- Measuring for an Outside Mount
- Outside Mount Measuring with a Decorative Architrave
- Outside Mount Measuring for a Square-Set Window
Corner & Bay Windows
Our Service
- Our Plantation Shutters
- Why My DIY Blinds?
- What Does Our Shutter Warranty Cover?
- Our Plantation Shutter Product Guarantee
Quotes
Ordering & Product Setup
- Getting Started with Your Shutter Order
- How Shutter Product Recommendations Work
- Uploading a Photo of Your Window
Delivery
- Where We Deliver Plantation Shutters
- How Your Plantation Shutters Are Delivered
- What to Expect on Delivery Day
Measure Guarantee
Self Review
Complete Guide to Shutter Frame Types
Choosing the right plantation-shutter frame starts with understanding your window, the available recess depth and whether the shutter will sit inside or outside the opening. My DIY Blinds offers different frame profiles for inside and outside mounting, and the best choice depends on clearance, architraves, sills and window hardware.
In this article
- What is a shutter frame?
- Inside vs outside mount
- What is a Z-frame?
- Can I install a Z-frame with an architrave?
- Can I install a Z-frame with a window sill?
- Can I install a Z-frame with an architrave and window sill?
- Installing a Z-frame with obstructions
- What is an L-frame?
- What is an inside mount L-frame?
- Can I install an L-frame with an architrave?
- Can I install an inside L-frame with a window sill?
- Can I install an inside L-frame with an architrave and window sill?
- What is an outside mount L-frame?
What is a shutter frame?
The shutter frame is the fixed perimeter that is secured to the window opening. Your shutter panels then hinge into this frame, so it controls where the panels sit, how far they project into the room and how the finished shutter meets the wall, recess or architrave.
The frame also helps create a neat transition around the opening and can disguise small variations in the window edges.
Inside vs outside mount
There are two main ways to position plantation shutters: inside mount (recess fit) and outside mount (face fit).
An inside mount sits within the window recess. An outside mount sits on the face of the architrave or wall surrounding the opening. Inside mounting generally gives a more recessed appearance and uses a slightly smaller overall shutter, while outside mounting is useful when the recess is too shallow or contains obstructions.
For inside mounting, the frame can typically be either a Z-frame or an inside L-frame. Outside mounting uses the outside L-frame profile.
How do I know if I should inside or outside mount?
Start by checking the usable depth of the recess. As a general guide, around 70 mm of clear depth gives the louvres and shutter components room to operate without hitting handles, winders, locks, flyscreens or the glass.
Do not measure the recess depth alone. Measure from the front edge of the recess to the furthest obstruction because that is the space the shutter can actually use.
If you’re unsure which mounting option is right for your window, look at our guides first, and if you’re still unsure? Upload photos through the website contact form and we’ll review them for you. Where a Z-frame is suitable, we recommend using one as it helps minimise light gaps around the shutter and helps to accommodate for out of square windows. Outside face-fit shutters sit in front of the window opening and therefore project further into the room.
What is a Z-frame?
A Z-frame is an inside-mount frame with one section sitting within the recess and a front lip overlapping the edge of the opening. The overlap creates a crisp finished border and can help hide small gaps or minor inconsistencies around the recess.
How does a Z-frame mount to my window?
The Z-frame fixes into the window recess while its front lip returns over the front edge. Check the dimensions shown in our current frame-profile diagram when confirming your final recess and architrave clearances. A Z-frame requires a clear depth of at least 60mm.
You also need sufficient usable depth behind the frame for the louvres to rotate without striking the glass or window hardware.
Have more questions about Inside Z-frames? Read our detailed Inside Z-Frame guide for everything you need to know about how they work, when to use them and installation requirements.
Can I install a Z-frame with an architrave?
Yes, provided the shutter can be inside mounted and there is enough flat surface around the opening for the Z-frame lip to sit neatly. A square or gently rounded architrave is generally straightforward.
If your architrave is heavily decorative, check where the lip will land before selecting the Z-frame so it does not cover a detail you want to keep visible.
Can I install a Z-frame with a protruding window sill?
Yes. Where a sill projects into the room, the bottom frame section can be configured to sit neatly on top of the sill rather than trying to wrap around it. You will need to select the relevant option on the product ordering page if this is the case, and we will make your shutter with an L-frame on the bottom section.
Can I install a Z-frame with an architrave and window sill?
Yes, as long as the window still has suitable inside-mount clearance and the frame has a flat surface to finish against. The side and top sections can use the Z-frame profile while the bottom is arranged to finish cleanly at the sill.
Installing a Z-frame with obstructions
While we state that you will require 60mm of clearance depth for a Z-frame – Handles, winders, locks and flyscreens do not automatically rule out a Z-frame. Their exact location matters. Hardware close to the outer edge may affect the frame itself, while hardware further into the opening may affect the louvres or rails.
Measure the clearance carefully and refer to our Managing Window Obstructions guide before finalising the mount.
Want to use an Inside Z-frame but don’t have the full 60 mm of clearance depth? Read our Managing Window Obstructions guide — depending on the position of your handles, locks or winders, an Inside Z-frame may still be possible.
What is an L-frame?
An L-frame has an L-shaped cross-section. We use different L-frame profiles depending on whether the shutter is mounted inside the recess or onto the face of the wall or architrave.
An inside L-frame keeps the frame within the recess. An outside L-frame moves the entire shutter forward and will therefore project further into the room.
What is an inside mount L-frame?
An inside L-frame fixes inside the window recess without the overlapping front lip of a Z-frame. It can sit close to the front of the recess or, where there is additional depth, be positioned further back.
This can be a very clean option where you want to keep a decorative architrave fully visible.
How does an inside L-frame mount to my window?
The inside L-frame requires enough clear recess depth of 70mm for both the frame and the operating shutter blades to open fully. Confirm the exact current profile dimensions shown in our frame diagram and make sure the selected position remains clear of handles, locks, flyscreens and opening sashes.
Have more questions about Inside L-frames? Read our detailed Inside L-Frame guide for more information.
Can I install an L-frame with an architrave?
Yes. Because an inside L-frame remains inside the recess, it can work particularly well where the architrave is decorative and you do not want the shutter frame covering the front of the trim. Although keep in mind that you will have light gaps around your frame and out of square windows may exaggerate these gaps. If this is an issue for you, please consider Z-frames.
If you have an architrave and are unsure whether an Inside L-frame will be suitable, upload a photo of your window through our website contact page and we’ll review it and recommend the best mounting option.
Can I install an inside L-frame with a window sill?
Yes. The frame can sit inside the recess and finish on top of the sill at the bottom of the opening.
Can I install an inside L-frame with an architrave and window sill?
Yes, provided you have enough usable recess depth for an inside mount. This arrangement keeps the architrave visible while allowing the bottom of the shutter frame to finish at the sill.
Still unsure whether to inside or outside mount your shutters? Read our Inside vs Outside Mount Plantation Shutters guide, or upload a photo of your window through our website and we’ll recommend the most suitable option.
Installing a L-frame with obstructions
While we state that you will require 70mm of clearance depth for a L-frame – Handles, winders, locks and flyscreens do not automatically rule out a L-frame. Their exact location matters. Hardware close to the outer edge may affect the frame itself, while hardware further into the opening may affect the louvres or rails.
Measure the clearance carefully and refer to our Managing Window Obstructions guide before finalising the mount.
Want to use an Inside L-frame but don’t have the full 70 mm of clearance depth? Read our Managing Window Obstructions guide — depending on the position of your handles, locks or winders, an Inside L-frame may still be possible.
What is an outside mount L-frame?
An outside L-frame is fixed to the face of the architrave or directly to the wall around the opening. It is often the best option when the window does not have enough clear recess depth for an inside mount.
Because the shutter sits in front of the opening rather than inside it, an outside mount projects further into the room by approximately 65mm and the overall shutter is slightly larger.
How does an outside L-frame mount to my window?
The outside L-frame needs a continuous flat fixing surface around the opening. On a square or bullnose architrave this is normally easy to identify. With decorative trim, make sure there is a sufficiently flat section for secure fixing.
You’ll need at least 38 mm of flat surface around the outside of the window opening to securely install an outside-mounted shutter.
For square-set windows without architraves, the frame can be fixed to the wall face around the recess.
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