Getting your measurements right is the single most important step in ordering made-to-measure shutters. Because every panel is cut to the exact numbers you give us, a small mistake here is the one thing that can't easily be fixed once the shutters are made. Here's how to do it properly.
Recess fit vs face fit — decide this first
Before you pick up a tape measure, you need to know which way your shutters will be fitted. A recess (or "inside") fit sits the frame inside the window reveal, flush with the wall — this is what we call an L-frame. A face (or "outside") fit mounts the frame onto the wall or window architrave, covering the reveal entirely — this is a Z-frame, and it can optionally include a sill plate where the bottom of the frame needs to sit on a ledge rather than inside the recess. Which one suits your window usually comes down to how deep your reveal is and how the window opens.
Measuring for a recess (inside) fit
Measure the width of the recess in three places — top, middle and bottom — and use the smallest of the three. Do the same for height, measuring at the left, centre and right, and again use the smallest figure. Windows are rarely perfectly square, so this approach guards against a shutter that's a fraction too big to fit anywhere along its length. You'll also need the depth of your recess, since the frame needs enough clearance to sit inside it without fouling any window handles or opening mechanisms.
Measuring for a face (outside) fit
Here you're measuring the area you want the frame to cover, not the recess itself — typically the full window opening plus a border of at least 30–50mm on each side so the frame has something solid to fix to. Measure the width and height of the area you intend to cover, and check there's nothing in the way — window handles, alarm sensors, or trickle vents can all affect exactly where the frame needs to sit.
A few things that catch people out
- Uneven walls and reveals are more common than you'd think — always take three measurements, never one.
- The smallest window opening we can supply is 250mm wide, so very narrow openings may need a different approach.
- If a measurement leaves you at all uncertain, send it to us with a photo before ordering — a second pair of eyes costs nothing and can save a costly remake.
Still not sure?
Our full step-by-step self-fitment and measuring guide walks through the entire process with diagrams, and our team is on hand if you want a measurement double-checked before you order.
Read the full Self-Fitment Guide for the complete walkthrough.