**Below you will find measuring instructions for various window scenarios and a measure sheet that you can download.
Unless your opening unusual, you may only need to measure three places across the width of your window, and three down the drop or length of your window.
Make sure your measurements are all to the nearest millimetre (mm).
DIYShutters always requires internal measurements, never on the outside from architrave to architrave, for example.
For Face Fit mounting, we just need to know the architrave size (width and thickness).
Record the depth at the top, and where it is the least (say at a handle). For 90 mm louvres the minimum depth needed is 45-50 mm from the front face of the reveal, and 32-37 mm for 63 mm louvres. Handles are often not a problem because they occur at the bottom where the panel has a 22 mm thick rail. At that point, the clearance only needs to be 20 mm. If necessary, the panel can be mounted slightly out from the reveal – ‘extended reveal fit’.
For openings with little or no depth, Face Fit Hinges provide the solution – see picture. We provide a timber strip is mounted top and bottom to the window frame. The hinge and magnets attach to that strip. This is called an ‘Extended Reveal Fit‘. In very few cases, is it necessary to cover up an attractive architrave.
DIYShutters works to a Minimalist Design Concept. Competitors will ‘bulk up’ your windows with too much wood or plastic, using frames and multiple narrow PVC panels to fill the space. Don’t you want as much of the view as possible? PVC can only span 750 mm , whereas timber can go to 930 mm, In addition DIYShutters offers ‘mullion’ panels” where a single panel, divided in the centre by a narrow 44 mm mullion, can span up to 1500 mm! These can also be used for doors. DIYShutters has made it easy to construct these yourself! This style of panel is unique to DIYShutters and is made possible because we manufacture here in Australia using versatile, strong, stable timber. It is the lightest material of all and the best insulator.
Always send us photos if in doubt. Our email address is admin@diyshutters.com.au Take an overall view of your window, from the side close up to handles so we can judge depth. We recommend to take photos towards evening when the outside light is soft and the reveals etc can be seen in the photograph.
We recommend using a Lufkin tape measure, as shown below, with internal scale, as it takes into account the size of the body of the tape. You can place the body of the tape against the reveal – it is the most accurate. If you use a laser or ultrasonic type of device, check its accuracy against a standard tape measure. Always get someone else to double check your measurements. That way, your submission will never fail.
Don’t deduct any allowance for fit, DIYShutters will do that! To make fit easy, we reduce the panel size to give 2 -3 mm clearance all around. If you want the panel to be a specific size, with no deductions made, just let us know.
Wide Windows with stiffeners may require you to put a Mid Rail in the shutter panel. Any drop over 1700mm should have a Mid Rail in the panel to keep the sides straight on a long drop. If you DIY, you can choose the position of the Mid Rail – it just fits in at one of the louvre positions. Note that having one single control rod on your panel means you can move up to 24 louvres at once – again unique to DIYShutters! Wood and PVC suppliers with internal control mechanisms often divide the drop into multiple, three or more sections because of the low integrity of the control. It is not attractive seeing louvres ‘higgle-dy piggle-dy’ – open at all different angles.
With older homes and large openings, we recommend you do a diagonal check, and include this with your measurements. This is in case the opening has become a parallelogram or trapeziod shape. A difference of more than 5 mm would need to be recorded. At worst, if when installing a shutter panel, it is rubbing, a small trim with a rasp or saw may be required. A 1.6 mm blade battery operated Makita is ideal for this. Also, if you make a mistake, and for example, the panel is 10 mm too narrow, this can be fixed by putting a timber strip down each side. There is always a solution.
And finally if you are not so confident about measuring….. a Check/Measure can be arranged at any time, anywhere. Typically:
For a houseful there is no cost if you proceed with an order.
