How to Measure – Roller Shutters
Measure in mm (millimetres)
The type of window and wall you will be installing on determines the final measurements of the shutters. Whether the shutter is being installed on the wall (face) or In the reveal (in between bricks)
To measure on wall: by far the easiest & when choosing your control sides look from inside the room looking out the window.
On Wall (OW)
To determine the Opening Width of your window opening – take 3 measurements of the width, one at the top, one in the middle and one at the bottom. and use the largest measurement of the three measure from brick to brick.
- The size of the shutter and the Slat Type will determine the size of the guides required. Standard residential Guide width is 53mm each guide.
so for example if you wish your roller shutters to be on wall give us the opening width and add 106 for the guides:
EG: 1810 + 106 = 1916 is the width you give us in your calculations. this is the finished width of the shutters.
Calculations for Finished Height
Opening Height + Head Box Height (if on wall)
To determine your Opening Height take 2 measurements, 1 each side of the window opening from the top of the lintel(top of brick opening) down the window sill and use the longest measurement.
- The size of the shutter and the Slat Type will determine the size of the guides required. Standard residential Guide width is 53mm each
The measurement for the pelmet box additions are as follows;
For example, if your window height is:
Below 1150mm – add 150mm to your height measurement
Below 1535mm – add 165mm to your height measurement
Below 1955mm – add 180mm to your height measurement
Below 2795mm – add 205mm to your height measurement
Below 3150mm – add 250mm to your height measurement
so the finished height you will give us for the shutter is the longest of your height measurement’s plus the appropriate pelmet box measurement’s above:
EG: 1810 + 180 + 50= 2040 is the height you give us in your calculations for the finished height of the shutter, we get you to add 50 so that the guides go past the sill its always better to cut some off the end because your unable to make them bigger 🙂
please read further information at the bottom to help you get this correct with things to look out for:
In Reveal (IR)
Calculations for Finished Width
Opening Width -3mm
- To determine the Opening Width take 3 measurements down the sides of the opening and use the smallest measurement.
- Subtract 4mm from the Opening Width to allow room for the shutter to slide inside the reveal.
Calculations for Finished Height
Opening Height
- To determine your Opening Height take 3 measurements across the top and bottom of the opening and use the smallest measurement.
- Any deductions that need to be made can be done on site by trimming down the guides.
this is your finished sizes for in the reveal.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Measure in any one of the following ways depending on the style of your window
From the bottom of the brick at the top end of the window down to the top of the brick at the bottom of your window.
OR
From the eaves down to the bottom of the bricks or window frame at the bottom end of the window.
OR
From above OR under the lintel down to the bottom of the window frame/window sill or the start of the brick work at the bottom end of the window.
If your home is not brick then measure from the very top of the window frame/eaves or lintel right down to the very bottom of the window frame at the bottom end of the window.
Be sure to measure both sides of the window as you did with the width as not all windows are exactly square.
This time we will use the largest of these measurements.
When thinking about the best way for you to install the shutters keep in mind that installing the side guides of the shutters onto the face of your wall as opposed to installing in the reveal of the window (within the opening of the window) allows for greater flexibility with slightly uneven window sizes or when the surface has been rendered as being just a few mms out can mean the shutter may not fit if installing in the reveal.
If you are choosing an ON WALL install you will need to add 106mm to your width measurement, remembering to use the smallest of the 2 width measurements you took. This will allow the required allowance needed to fit the guides down each side of the window on the face of the wall. The guides are 53mm each side to be exact so we add the 106mm to be safe.
When adding to your height measurement there are 2 choices.
- If your window goes all the way up to your eaves add an additional 50mm to allow for the guides to fit slightly below your window sill if you have one as it gives a better finished look.
- If you have bricks between the top of your window and the eave you will need to add on the size of the pelmet box to your height of the window area. The size of the pelmet box is determined by the height of your shutter. This size will be calculated when you enter your measurements into the calculator when getting your quote online.
The pelmet or head box is determined by the amount of slats in your shutters curtain. Please note that the number of slats in your curtain will also include the slats that sit up in the pelmet box and around the axle of the shutter.
For example, if your window height is:
Below 1150mm – add 150mm to your height measurement
Below 1535mm – add 165mm to your height measurement
Below 1955mm – add 180mm to your height measurement
Below 2795mm – add 205mm to your height measurement
Below 3150mm – add 250mm to your height measurement
Check Bottom bar requirements
Now you have your finished width and height you can go to the inside of your home and check control side positioning. When you are ready to order your shutter you will be telling us which side the control will be on from the INSIDE of the home FACING the window you are to install on.
If you have anything protruding out past your exterior wall eg. Handles or pipes etc, then you will also need angle mounted on the wall behind the shutter so that when you open and close the shutter once installed it wont be hindered by any obstructions. The angle is available in 3 different widths:
22 x 24mm
46 x 24mm
77 x 24mm
You will need the angle for either the width size x 2 OR height size x 1
Measure the item that is protruding or obstructing where the shutter will be placed.
Measure from the wall outwards to where the item finishes to get the measurement of how far it stands out off the wall.
Eg. If the item stands out from the wall at 23mm, then you will need to go to the 46mm angle to ensure the shutter gets past the obstacle.
If in doubt please email and ask us to be sure.
Now if you are installing in reveal remember the head box is rigid and that with an in reveal install it allows for zero margin in error. The height is measured the same as the on wall fit – refer to on wall height measurement but remember to use the largest of the 2 sizes as guide can be cut down if needed with a saw and slat can be removed if needed.
Deduct 5mm off the width to allow for the rigid head/pelmet box to be inserted between the brick work. This means 5mm off your finished width, the guides are slightly more flexible in movement.
Remember to look if you choose an in reveal install and ask yourself, can the window still open when the shutter is open? Ie: will the pelmet box restrict the window from opening if the window opens outwards from the very top of the window. If your windows do open out when the shutter is closed they will only ever open 20-4-mm at the most. If you are unsure if this will be suitable for you do not choose an In reveal fit. Go for the on wall install, as although you will still only have a small clearance to open your window when the shutter is down it should be slightly more than with an In reveal fit and an on wall installation is a lot easier than in reveal also.
HOW TO MEASURE A BAY WINDOW
HOW TO MEASURE
BAY WINDOW
A bay window must be ordered as 3 separate shutters. Firstly establish the type of fit your shutters will be, Face Fit/On Wall (OW) or Reveal Fit/In Reveal (IR).
On Wall (OW)
Calculations for Finished Widths
Shutter 1 = Opening Width + 1 x Guide Width
Shutter 2 = Opening Width
Shutter 3 = Opening Width + 1 x Guide Width
Calculations for Finished Height
Shutter 1 = Opening Height + Head Box Height
Shutter 2 = Opening Height + Head Box Height
Shutter 3 = Opening Height + Head Box Height
In Reveal (IR)
Calculations for Finished Widths
Shutter 1 = Opening Width -3mm
Shutter 2 = Opening Width
Shutter 3 = Opening Width -3mm
Calculations for Finished Height
Shutter 1 = Opening Height
Shutter 2 = Opening Height
Shutter 3 = Opening Height
*WE can supply telescopic brackets to assist with mounting the shutters onto a bay window.