Plantation Shutters believe it or not were the first shutter company to set up in the UK, since then the shutter market has gone crazy and they are now an every popular replacement or alternative window dressing. During its existence many companies have entered the shutter market, with mixed level of success, and with experience on my side in my opinion the key to longevity, is having an excellent product, combined with the knowledge and know-how.
Unfortunately, as the shutter market develops further, it is not uncommon to see our tried and tested product copied and for consumer to be more concerned about price over product. I over the last 30 years have been reluctant to join the DIY market as I have always believed that a shutter should be measured by a specialist and fitted by a specialist, but with the increasingly simplistic fitting methods, then for a basic rectangular window I believe that with care DIY is achievable.
The idea of my DIY site is to be able to offer a high spec tried and tested product, at a similar price to less well-known products. The only way we can realistically do this is with efficiencies, within the order process and not trying to consider DIY on what I would regard as complicated windows, let’s just keep things simple!
If you need all the bells and whistles then probably better to call the office and talk to an expert. If you need a simple high spec tried and tested shutter for a simple window, with no fuss then read on.
INSIDE RECESS FIX
Measuring for Full height shutters
- Measure width of window recess in 3 places
- Measure height of window recess in 3 places
Measuring for Café Style shutters (half height)
- Measure the width the window recess in 3 places
- Measure from the sill to the height you require the shutter
Checks
Is the window square? If the answer is no, please look at the bottom left & top right of window on the images below. You can normally get a square within the given area but you’ll need to fill gaps yourself (as per red marks on the 3rd image) or when the shutter arrives you’ll need to scribe/plain the fixing batten.
Please, place an order and request a call back (by adding it on the “Order notes” box) if:
- There is anything in the way of the width … i.e. skirting board / tiles / dado rail
- There is anything that protrudes from the window into the room that might interfere with closing the shutter or opening the slats like window handles / locks / vents
- Your window opens inwards
On our example below, the window has a handle so we need to take into consideration the depth of the recess, the depth of the the shutter frame and panel together and whether there’s enough room between the handle and the open shutter slats. See image below:
Bear in mind that during the installation, you’ll can move the shutter frame front and/or backwards to increase or decrease the room between them as per image 3 and 4.
DESIGN
When you go through our design your shutters form , you’ll notice that we have already provided you with what, considering our extensive experience, we feel is the best design for your given window – this can be customised during the design process if you don’t agree with us!
Inside or outside recess fix?
We feel it’s better and neater for shutters to sit within a recess and with a 4-sided fixing frame but occasionally due to big window handles or the window not lending itself to having an inside recess fix we do offer an outside recess fix.
OUTSIDE RECESS FIX
Measuring Full height shutters
- Measure width of window recess in 3 places
- Measure height of window recess in 3 places
- Check measure for width clearance 45 millimetres (mm) either side of the recess (to allow for side frames)
- Check measure for height clearance 45 millimetres (mm) above window (to allow for top frame)
Measuring for Café Style shutters (half height)
- Measure the width the window recess in 3 places
- Measure from the sill to the height you require the shutter
- Check measure for width clearance 45 millimetres (mm) either side of the recess (to allow for side frames)
Please, place an order and request a call back (by adding it on the “Order notes” box) if:
- There is anything in the way of the width … i.e. skirting board / tiles / dado rail
- There is anything that protrudes from the window into the room that might interfere with closing the shutter or opening the slats like window handles / locks / vents
- Your window opens inwards
