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- 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
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- What Does Our Shutter Warranty Cover?
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Quotes
Ordering & Product Setup
- Getting Started with Your Shutter Order
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- Uploading a Photo of Your Window
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- Where We Deliver Plantation Shutters
- How Your Plantation Shutters Are Delivered
- What to Expect on Delivery Day
Measure Guarantee
Self Review
How to Measure Bay Windows for Plantation Shutters
Bay windows combine several shutter faces, so the key is to measure each section accurately while also planning how the frames meet at the internal corners. We use special bay posts to join the panels together.
What Is a Bay Window?
A bay window is made up of three window sections that project out from the room, with the side sections meeting the centre section at approximately 45° angles.
Because all three sections connect together, they need to be measured and planned as one coordinated shutter arrangement, so the frames, bay posts and panels meet correctly.
For measuring, divide the bay into three sections: A to B = Left Window (L), B to C = Centre Window (M) and C to D = Right Window (R).
Determine if your corner window is 45 degrees
Check that your bay corner is in fact 45 degrees by placing a folded a4 paper in or against the corner.
Measuring for a Bay Window
Bay windows need more care than a single rectangular opening, but the process is easier if you treat each face as a separate window and always work from left to right.
Before measuring, choose whether the shutters will be inside mounted or outside mounted. You will need a metal tape measure, something to record the figures and a pencil for marking the corner reference points.
Important: label the three sections Bay Window L, Bay Window M and Bay Window R. Take clear photos with your measurements if the join construction is unusual so the meeting detail can be checked before manufacture. You can contact us via email or contact form.
Measuring for an Inside L-Frame
For an Inside L-frame, measurements are taken inside the window recess, using the front edge of the recess rather than measuring back at the glass.
As a simple clearance rule, aim for approximately 70mm of clear recess depth. If the depth is tighter or there are handles, winders or other obstructions, you may still be able to mount the shutter inside with less, check Managing Window Obstructions for more information.
1. Measure the width of the left window section (A)
Important: Use the relevant diagram below depending on your window type.
- Begin at the inside edge of the left-hand recess. Take note of the architrave lip in illustrations below if your window has architraves.
- Measure across to the corner where the two (A+B) recess sections meet. (A on diagram)
- Take this width in two positions (Top and Bottom of your window) as windows can vary. Use the smallest of your measurements for each section.
- Mark that first bay location as Bay Window A (Left).
2. Measure the width of the middle window section (B)
- Begin at the end right side of the Bay Window A measurement (Where sections A+B meet). Take note of the architrave lip in illustrations below if your window has architraves.
- Measure across to the corner where the second bay post / two recess faces meet (B+C section meeting point). (B on diagram)
- Take this width in two positions (Top and Bottom of your window) as windows can vary. Use the smallest of your measurements for each section.
- Mark middle bay location as Bay Window B (Middle).
3. Measure the width of the right window section (C)
- Start at the right end of Bay Window Middle (B). where B+C meet in the middle section.
- Measure to the inside edge at the far end of the right-hand recess. Take note of the architrave lip in illustrations below if your window has architraves.
- Take this width in two positions (Top and Bottom of your window) as windows can vary. Use the smallest of your measurements for each section.
- Mark that corner location as Bay Window C (Right).
3. Measure the drop
Measure from bottom to top in three different positions across each opening.
4. Record the smallest drop
Use the smallest of the three drop measurements for each section. Enter the measured figure only—do not make your own manufacturing deduction.
Windows With a Sill or Full-Length Windows
A projecting window sill, or a full-height opening where there is no simple front corner edge to work from, means you first need to establish a consistent measuring point through the corner.
1–4. Establish the bay post measuring points
- Start from the left-hand recess.
- Run a straight piece of string along the sill or lower reference line toward the opposite window pane and keep it in position.
- Repeat from the middle section recess with a second piece of string.
- Repeat for the right hand recess section.
- The intersection of the two lines at each of the two bay post locations establishes the corner reference used for the left, middle and right widths.
If measuring a full length window to the floor, use the same premise as above, and imagine the window sill is the floor.
5. Check the measuring point
Check the clearance to the window in four positions around the reference point. The clearances should agree. If they do not, adjust the string position slightly and check again until the reference is consistent.
6. Measure the left and right widths
Once the reference point is confirmed, follow the Inside L-frame width method above for Window L Window M and Window R, using this point as the shared corner reference.
7. Ordering
To order, enter your measurements for each separate window section that makes up the bay window (A + B + C) on the ordering page and tick the “Bay / Corner” window option. You will then have A, B and C as separate items in your cart, enter the same room name and which section the window is so we can match them.
Measuring for an Inside Z-Frame
An Inside Z-frame wraps around the front edge of the recess, so the corner measuring points are determined by the actual Z-frame profile rather than simply using the recess intersection.
As a simple clearance rule for a Z-frame, aim for approximately 65mm of clear recess depth. If the depth is tighter or there are handles, winders or other obstructions, you may still be able to mount the shutter inside with less, check Managing Window Obstructions for more information.
1. Measure the width of the left window (A)
Important: Use the relevant diagram below depending on your window type.
- Begin at the inside edge of the left-hand recess. Take note of the architrave lip in illustrations below if your window has architraves.
- Measure across to the corner where the two recess faces meet. This will be along the edge of the face of the architrave.
- Take this width in two positions (Top and Bottom of your window) as windows can vary. Use the smallest of your measurements for each section.
- Mark that corner location as Measure Point A (Left).
2. Measure the width of the left window (B)
- Start at the right end of Measure Point L (A). where A+B meet in the middle section.
- Measure to the inside edge at the far end of the right-hand recess. Take note of the architrave lip in illustrations below if your window has architraves. This will be along the edge of the face of the architrave.
- Take this width in two positions (Top and Bottom of your window) as windows can vary. Use the smallest of your measurements for each section.
- Mark that corner location as Measure Point B (Right).
4. Measure the drop
- Measure bottom to top from inside the recess.
- Take the drop in three positions.
- Use the smallest of the three measurements.
Measuring for an Outside L-Frame with an Architrave
For an Outside L-frame fitted to an architrave, use the outside edges of the architrave as your measuring references.
1. Measure the width of the left window (L)
- Start at the outside edge of the left-hand architrave.
- Measure to the corner where the two architraves meet. (A to B in above diagram)
- Take this width in two positions. (Top and Bottom widths). Use the largest of the two as we want the frame to fully cover the architrave at all points when fitted.
- Mark the corner as Measure Point L (A).
2. Measure the width of the right window (R)
- Begin at the right end of Measure Point L (B).
- Measure to the outside edge of the right-hand architrave. (B to C)
- Take this width in two positions. (Top and Bottom widths). Use the largest of the two as we want the frame to fully cover the architrave at all points when fitted.
- Mark the corner as Measure Point R (B).
3. Measure the drop
Measure from the outside edge of the bottom architrave to the outside edge of the top architrave in three positions. Use the largest of your three measurements on each section.
4. Record the largest drop
For this outside-mount architrave method, record the largest of the three drop measurements. This is so we ensure the shutter will cover all parts of the architrave for aesthetic reasons.
5. Ordering
To order, enter your measurements for each separate window section that makes up the corner window (A + B) on the ordering page and tick the “Bay / Corner” window option. You will then have A and B as separate items in your cart, enter the same room name and which side the window is so we can match them.
Measuring for an Outside L-Frame for a Square Set window
For an Outside L-frame fitted to a square-set window (no architraves), measure the window opening first, then add the required allowances to these measurements so the frame sits neatly around the outside of the opening. More details are provided below.
1. Measure the width of the left window (A)
- Start at the outside edge of the window opening.
- Measure to the corner where the two windows meet. (A to B in above diagram)
- Take this width in two positions. (Top and Bottom widths). Use the largest of the two as we want the frame to fully cover the architrave at all points when fitted.
- Add 42mm (X) to your width measurements for this section. This is so the frame will sit outside the opening.
- Mark the corner as Measure Point L (A). Recap: Measure ((A to B) + 42mm)
2. Measure the width of the right window (B)
- Start at the outside edge of the window opening.
- Measure to the corner where the two windows meet. (B to C in above diagram)
- Take this width in two positions. (Top and Bottom widths). Use the largest of the two as we want the frame to fully cover the architrave at all points when fitted.
- Add 42mm (X) to your width measurements for this section. This is so the frame will sit outside the opening.
- Mark the corner as Measure Point R (B). Recap: Measure ((B to C) + 42mm)
3. Measure the drop
Measure the window opening in three positions.
4. Record the largest drop and add allowance for the frame
Use the largest of your three measurements on each section on the step above. Then add 84mm to this measurement.
4. Record the largest drop and add allowance for the frame
Use the largest of your three measurements on each section on the step above. Then add 84mm to this measurement.
Multiple Panels
Shutter Panels
Plantation shutters are divided into individual panels. For windows wider than around 950mm, more than one panel will generally be required. Individual panels can be made up to approximately 900mm wide, with the surrounding frame adding a little extra overall width.
Where possible, plan the shutter panel layout so it follows the vertical divisions of the existing window.
What if the window panes are uneven?
If the existing panes are not evenly divided, custom panel widths can be achieved by placing the T-posts in custom locations to align more naturally with the window layout.
Multiple Panels for Corner Windows
The corner post extends slightly into both window faces. This affects the panels closest to the corner and needs to be considered when you want panel joins to line up with window mullions.
- Equal-width panels: a simple option where each side only needs a small number of panels and exact mullion alignment is not important.
- Custom-width panels: use this when you want T-posts or panel joins to line up with unequal vertical window divisions. The panel nearest the corner will often end up narrower than the others.
Measuring Custom T-Post locations
Always begin your measurement from the left hand side.
For the left section of your corner window:
- For an inside mount, begin at the inside edge of the recess.
- For an outside mount with an architrave, begin at the outside edge of the architrave.
- For a square-set outside mount, follow the square-set outside-mount reference point. (Opening section +42mm).
- Measure from that same starting point to each vertical break where a T-post should sit.
For the right section of your corner window:
Begin your measurement in the inner corner and stop to the centre point of each vertical break where a T-post should sit.
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