We aim to make it as easy as possible, instil confidence in your DIY skills and ensure you get it right. View our “How To Measure” videos and utilise our resources, joining the thousands of happy customers who have mastered the simple and easy DIY steps, achieved a great result and saved money in the process.
Sizes – Minimums & Maximums
| Individual Panel Width (mm) | Overall Shutter Width (mm) | Drop (mm) |
|---|---|---|
|
Minimum width: 180 mm |
Minimum width: 180 mm |
Minimum drop: 300 mm |
|
Minimum width: 760 mm |
Minimum width: 4560 mm |
Minimum drop: 2420 mm |
| Mid Rail Requirements (mm) | Number of Mid Rails | T-Posts |
|
Drops greater than 1500 mm |
1 x Midrail is required |
Required for widths > 1,520mm where Layouts exceed 2 panels |
|
Drops greater than 2100 mm |
2 x Midrails are required |
T-Posts divide the window vertically. |
How to Measure for an inside mount
Window recess depth
When measuring for inside mount frames, make sure that you have at least 65 mm clearance inside your window recess
Width
Measure the hard width across the top, middle and bottom of the window recess.
Drop
Measure the hard drop from the left, centre, and right of the window recess.
Write down the smallest width and drop measurement.
Note: Special attention should be given to window openings that have window winders, latches, security devices, removable screens etc, because they may obstruct the frame. This will determine whether you select a 4 sided or 3 sided fram
*Do not take any deductions (iseekblinds will do this for you)
Select your Layout
Using the PVC Plantation Shutter Layout Charts, select your layout option - layout 1 - layout 11.
Under each layout option is a diagram demonstrating how to measure for your individual Panel widths and T-Posts.
Example - Layout 4 selected
Measuring your panel widths:
When placing your order, you will be asked if all your panels are equal in size. If they are, click ‘yes’ and proceed to the options.
If your panel sizes vary, click ‘other’ - measure from the inside edge of the window frame to the centre of where Panels 1 & 2 will meet
Measuring T-Post Location
Measure from the inside edge of the window frame to the centre of where the T-Post will sit.
Always take your measurements from left to right.
For larger windows, T-posts are required when the overall width of the window requires a Layout featuring more than 2 panels.
T-posts can be used with any frame type and divide windows vertically to match the flow of the window design and cover large spaces.
The additional panels are hinged to the T-Posts
How to Measure your Mid Rail Position
Midrails provide stability and strength to the plantation shutters.
The most common position for a mid rail is in the exact centre of the panel.
If you have 2 midrails and would like them spaced evenly down the panel, select ‘Equal’ when placing your order online.
It is also common to place the mid rail at a natural break as there is with a double hung window, where the winders are situated or a horizontal mullion (Refer to Rule #2 - You must follow the window).
If you would like your mid rail to sit at a specific position (ie. not centred), simply measure from the bottom of the inside of your window frame to the centre point of the desired location of the mid rail. When placing your order online, select “Other” and populate your measurements here.
Please note that the position of a midrail can vary by + or - 37 mm depending on the overall drop size of the finished shutter.
Mid Rail Requirement
If your overall drop is less than 1499mm, a mid rail is not required. You may want to consider a split tilt option (see below) to control your light & privacy if no mid rail is require
Mid Rail Dimensions
- Mid Rail thickness - 20 mm
- Mid Rail Height - 76 mm
Critical Midrail
A Critical Midrail needs to be positioned in that exact location.
Please note, as a result, the top and bottom rails will not be the same size as they will need to cater for the blades to fit in above and below the midrail.
*Important
If your midrail position is Critical - please make sure you write “Critical midrail” in the notes section at the end of your order before adding this item to the cart.
Top & Bottom Rail dimensions - PVC
Top & Bottom rails provide strength and stability to the shutter. They are positioned at the top and at the bottom of your shutter panels.
Generally made to the same size, adjustments to the final dimensions will be made by the factory to ensure the top and bottom rails are in proportion with the overall height (Drop) and width of the panels.
Please refer to the table below
*IMPORTANT
Please note: If shutters are going to be placed in the same room, but vary in size, then your top and bottom rails may be made to different sizes to suit each shutter.
Therefore it is important to name these shutters correctly when placing your order (Room Name) so that the factory understands they will be positioned next to each other.
Example - Lounge LHS has a width x drop of 1800 x 1800 and Lounge RHS has a width x drop of 600 x 1802. Please refer to the table above.
This will ensure that the Top and Bottom rails will be made to the same specification - vital for a uniform look from both inside and outside the house.
Stile Dimensions
Stiles are the vertical sides of the plantation shutter panels.
Width - 50mm
Split Tilt
The Split tilt rod allows you to open or close sections of your shutter blades separately, giving you greater light control and privacy. Allowing flexibility, you can close the lower portion of your blades for privacy, whilst leaving the top section open to still let in light or an open view.
Split Tilt options are available for plantation shutters with or without a midrail.
Split tilt positions
If you don’t have a mid rail, you can opt to have the split tilt centred “Split Half”
If you have a midrail, you can opt for a “Split half above mid rail”.
*Please note that a Split half will come standard for all panels without a midrail greater than 1200mm in drop. This equates to approximately 12 blades.
Select your Frame
L Frame
The most popular way to inside mount your plantation shutters, an L Frame gives you the ability to square the frame inside your recess and mount your panels. An L Frame also acts as a light block, preventing light from coming through the edges of the panels. You will require at least 65mm depth inside your window recess.
Depending on your window’s specific needs, you can also select from a Z Frame, Direct Mount or a U Channel
Z Frame
A great solution for windows that are out of square or have no existing architrave.
The Z Frame is mounted directly to the inside of the window frame, with a bull-nose lip going around the outside of the window frame or plaster, thus hiding any gaps or imperfections. You will require at least 55mm depth inside your window recess.
Direct Mount
A Direct Mount is where the plantation shutter panel is mounted straight onto the window without a frame. Just like how a door hangs
This is commonly used for side lights (the small windows beside your front door) or any other narrow openings where the width of the frame would reduce the width of the blades, thus blocking too much light and crowding your window.
*Please note - A Direct Mount is only available for Plantation Shutter Layouts 1,2 or 3.
U Channel
Used for internal wall cavities, a U Channel can create a stylish room divider. The panel simply slots into the top and bottom U channels, much like a cupboard door. As the panels are not hinged they do not open. The U Channel simply consists of the panels, so there are no frames.
Select either a 3 or 4 sided Frame
Applicable to L Frames and Z Frames only
4 sided Frame - (Top, Bottom, Left, Right)
More commonly used. A 4 sided frame can be used where there are no obstructions at the base of the window, such as a sliding window.
3 sided Frame - (Top, Left, Right)
Used if you have any window winders, latches or security devices usually located at the bottom of the window frame or removable screens as they may obstruct the frame.
Have questions?
Want to know more about our Plantation Shutters? Discover more by exploring our video gallery and FAQs, find out about our quick manufacturing and delivery timeframes, or contact us for more information- we’re here to help you every step of the way!
How to Measure for an outside mount
Follow the same instructions as per the above apart from the below exceptions
Window requirements
Outside mount L Frames are used where there is less than 65mm clearance inside your window recess. You need at least 25mm of flat surface to mount your shutter frame.
Width
Take three measurements from the edge of the architrave to the edge of the architrave at the top, middle and bottom on the window frame
Drop
Take three measurements from the top of the architrave to the bottom of the architrave at the left, centre, and right of the window opening
Write down the largest width and drop measurement.
*iseekblinds will not take any deductions for outside mounted blinds
Outside Mount L Frame
An Outside Mount L Frame is the only option for Outside Mounted plantation Shutters.
The Outside Mount L Frame has a projection of 78 mm so your blades will not project past the back of the frame thus making it suitable for all outside mount applications, regardless of the width of your architraves and centre mullions of your window.
Select your Layout
Using the PVC Plantation Shutter Layout Charts, select your layout option - layout 1 - layout 11.
Under each layout option is a diagram demonstrating how to measure for your individual Panel widths and T-Posts.
Example - Layout 4 selected
Measuring your panel widths - When placing your order, you will be asked if all your panels are equal in size. If they are, click ‘yes’ and proceed to the Options.
If your panel sizes vary click ‘other’ - Measure from the outside edge of the architrave to the centre of where Panels 1 & 2 will meet.
Measuring T-Post Location - Measure from the outside edge of the architrave to the centre of where the T-Post will sit
Always take your measurements from left to right.
