Getting It Right: Measuring For Custom Shutters
Plantation shutters contribute a lot to the look and feel of your home. Custom-fitted San Diego wood blinds add character and value, and also contribute to energy efficiency and energy cost savings. With that in mind, if you’re going to measure your windows for custom shutters, then it’s important to do it right.
Here are some tips on how to do just that:
- Measure with a friend – Whether the other person is just writing down your measurements, or actively helping you check to makes sure the measurements are correct, having someone assist is a great help.
- Always use a steel tape measure – Precision is very important here; “good enough” just isn’t good enough. A cloth tape measure isn’t going to cut it, and neither is a ruler.
- Measure to the closest 1/8inch – This is another nod to precision. Properly fitted shutters require proper measurements. Shutter manufacturers in countries that use the metric system are more stringent: unlike companies who make shutters and blinds in San Diego, those companies require measurements down to the closest millimeter (roughly 1/25inch).
- Measure and record the dimensions of each window individually – It’s no guarantee that your windows will be identical down the last 1/8inch; in fact, it’s highly unlikely. This is vital if you’re installing shutters that fit inside the window frame. Take three measurements in three different areas each, and note the smallest measurement each time.
- For inside-mount shutters, measure the size of the window opening, not the entire window. This is to guarantee that you will actually be able to open the shutters. Make sure take into consideration any locks, cranks, or other items that might act as an obstruction. Do not include an allowance for the blinds in your measurements – leave that to the shutter company.
For outside-mount shutters, measure the area you want covered. This is often larger than the frame of the window itself.