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How to measure - Plantation shutters

How to measure for Plantation Shutter Kits

Get the right measurement for every window

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NEW fully assembled Plantation Shutters

Coming Soon Melbourne & Sydney Delivery only. LEARN MORE.

Unique light block features

Select from Interlocking or Elliptical blades

NEW fully assembled Plantation Shutters

Coming Soon Melbourne & Sydney Delivery only. Call 1300 664 257 for more details.

Unique light block features

Select from Interlocking or Elliptical blades

NEW fully assembled Plantation Shutters

Coming Soon Melbourne & Sydney Delivery only. Call 1300 664 257 for more details.

Save 10% off Plantation Shutters

Use code Spring10 at checkout

SAVE 10% off Plantation Shutters

SALE ON NOW - use code SPRING10 at checkout.

NEW fully assembled Plantation Shutters

Coming Soon Melbourne & Sydney Delivery only. Call 1300 664 257 for more details.

NEW fully assembled Plantation Shutters

Coming Soon! Melbourne Delivery only.Call 1300 664 257 for more details.

Unique light block features

Resulting in better light control. Enquire today

Getting started

We have all the information and instructions you need to measure for your plantation shutter kits right here.

Follow along with our videos or see our written instructions below.

Before you start, have you?

What you will need

  • 1 - 2 people
  • 5 - 10 minutes
  • Metal tape measure
  • Pen and paper or download our check measure worksheet below
  • Step ladder if necessary

Check measure worksheet

Before you start measuring, print off our Check Measure Worksheet to record your measurements. These check measure worksheets have been designed to ensure you capture all the details required to complete your order. When placing your order online, simply populate this information straight into the order form. Easy!

Mike’s Measuring Tips

  • Getting a precise and accurate measurement is the first step to a perfect shutter.
  • Use a steel tape measurer for accuracy. Make sure it’s straight and tight when you take your measurements.
  • From the front door, turn left. This becomes window 1 and then work clockwise around your house. Repeat upstairs if necessary. Also add your room name to each shutter as you order them.
  • Always measure to the closest millimetres (mm)
  • Ensure measurements are taken from left to right
  • Measure every window, even those that appear to be the same width and height.
  • The measurement you provide is the outside edges of the brackets – not the fabric width.
  • Do not take any deductions (iSeek Blinds will do this for you)

Sizes – Minimums & Maximums

We manufacture plantation shutters to a vast range of sizes. To ensure you always get a great result, we have minimum and maximum dimensions for our shutters.

Mid rail and T-Post Requirements:

  • For all shutter drops greater than 1,600mm; 1 x mid rail is required
  • For overall shutter widths greater than 1,900, where the layout exceeds 2 panels; 1 x T-Post is required.
Width (mm) Drop (mm)

Minimum width: 

200mm - U Channel / Direct Mount

250mm - L Frame / Z Frame

Minimum drop: 

300mm

Maximum width: 

950mm – Individual Panel

5,700mm – Overall Shutter

Maximum drop: 

 2,420mm

Design and Customise your Plantation Shutter Kits

  • Frame Options - Inside mount: There are 4 fitting / frame types available. The most popular is the L frame which sits squarely inside your window and blocks the most amount of light.  If your windows aren’t perfectly square there is the option to select a Z frame that has a bull-nose lip around the outside of your frame and hides any gaps or imperfections on windows that aren’t perfectly square.   For narrower windows, a Direct mount shutter will mount directly onto the window without a supporting frame (available for layouts A, B & C only), or if you want to create a room divider with shutters where the panels don’t open then a U channel will be your best choice.  You can read more about our frame options on our product specifications page.
  • Frame Options - Outside mount: The only frame style available is an L frame.  The outside mount L-Frame has a projection of 78mm 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.
  • 3 or 4 sided frame: When selecting an L or Z frame you will have the choice of either a 3 or 4 sided frame, depending on any obstructions you may have at the bottom of your window will determine which is the best choice for your shutter. 
  • Split tilt: A split tilt rod allows flexibility to open or close sections of your shutter blades separately, giving you greater light control and privacy. With a mid rail you can choose to split half of the panel equally above the mid rail only, or without a mid rail you can split your panels equally in the centre.  If your drop is greater than 1,200mm you must choose to have a split.
  • Match top and bottom rail: These rails are made to a custom size based on the overall drop of your shutters.  When measuring shutters for multiple windows in one room these rails can be manufactured to the same height, providing they fit within the rail specifications chart.  This will ensure that the top and bottom rails will be made to the same specifications which are vital for a uniform look both inside and outside your home. When you design and order your shutters select ‘match top and bottom rail’ and in the text field note which other shutters they need to match (i.e. the room name)

How to measure for your blinds

  • How to Measure - Inside Mount

    Mike’s Tip! When measuring for inside mount frames, make sure that you have at least 65 mm clearance inside your window recess and pay special attention to windows that have window winders, latches, security devise etc, these may obstruct the shutters.

  • Measure your width
    • Measure the hard width across the top, middle and bottom of the window recess.
    • Note the smallest width measurement to the exact mm.
    Measure your drop
    • Measure the hard drop from the left, centre, and right of the window recess.
    • Note the smallest drop measurement to the exact mm.
    Choose on your Panel Layout
    • If you haven’t already decided on your panel layout, now that you have your window measurements, you will need to decide exactly which panel layout will suit your window. Review our panel layout chart before proceeding.
    Measure T-Post location – Panel Layouts D-L Only
    • Measure the left inside edge of the window frame to the centre of where the T-Post will sit.
    • Repeat for T-post 2 & 3 where applicable. Always start from the far left inside edge
    • When deciding were your T-post will sit, divide your windows vertically to match the flow of the window design and cover large spaces.
    Measure Mid Rail Position

    Mid rails are fixed across the width of your panels, they are approx. 76mm high and provide stability and strength to the shutters. For shutters with a drop greater than 1,600mm a mid rail must be included. When you design and order your shutters you can choose to either have your mid rail in the centre of your panels or if you have horizontal joins in your windows that you want to line up with you can customise exactly where you want them to go.

    • Centre mid rail: This does not need to be measured, when you design and order your shutters simply select ‘centre’ and we will do the rest.
    • Custom mid rail: Measure from the bottom up to the centre point of the desired mid rail location, note this measurement and select ‘custom’ mid rail when you order your shutters.
    • Critical md rail: Mid rails can vary between +/- 37mm (depending on the overall drop of the finished shutter.) If the mid rail measurement you have provided needs to line up perfectly to that exact location then this becomes a ‘critical’ mid rail. If you select a critical mid rail then the top and bottom rails may not be the same size as they will be determined by the blades fitting above and below the mid rail.
  • Decide how you want to design your shutter

    For more details on all our design choices, refer to our product specifications page

    • Fitting / Frame Options: For inside mount shutters there are 4 fitting / frame types available. The most popular is an L frame which sits square inside your window and blocks the most amount of light. If your windows aren’t perfectly square there is the option to select a Z frame which has a bull-nose lip around the outside of your frame and hides any gaps or imperfections on windows that aren’t perfectly square. For narrower windows a Direct mount shutter will mount directly onto the window without a supporting frame (available for layouts A, B & C only), or if you want to create a room divider with shutters where the panels don’t open then a U channel will be your best choice. You can read more about our frame options on ourb product specifications page.
    • 3 or 4 sided frame: When selecting an L or Z frame you will have the choice of either a 3 or 4 sided frame, depending on any obstructions you may have at the bottom of your window will determine which is the best choice for your shutter.
    • Split Tilt: A split tilt rod allows flexibility to open or close sections of your shutter blades separately, giving you greater light control and privacy. With a mid rail you can choose to split half of the panel equally above the mid rail only, or without a mid rail you can split your panels equally in the centre. If your drop is greater than 1,200mm you must choose to have a split.
    • Match Top and Bottom Rail: These rails are made to a custom size based on the overall drop of your shutters. When measuring shutters for multiple windows in the one room these rails can be manufactured to the same height, providing they fit within the rail specifications chart. This will ensure that the top and bottom rails will be made to the same specifications which is vital for a uniform look both inside and outside your home. When you design and order you shutters select ‘match top and bottom rail’ and in the text field note which other shutters they need to match (i.e., the room name)
  • How to Measure - Outside Mount

    Mike’s Tip! Outside mount shutters are recommended when you have less than 65mm clearance inside your window recess. When measuring for outside mount frames, make sure that you have at least 25 mm of flat surface to mount your shutter frame.

  • Measure your width
    • Measure the hard width from the edge of the architrave to the edge of the architrave at the top, middle and bottom of the window frame.
    • Note the largest width measurement to the exact mm.
    Measure your drop
    • Measure the hard drop from the top of the architrave to the bottom of the architrave at the left, centre, and right of the window frame.
    • Note the largest drop measurement to the exact mm.
    Choose on your Panel Layout
    • If you haven’t already decided on your panel layout, now that you have your window measurements, you will need to decide exactly which panel layout will suit your window. Review our panel layout chart before proceeding.
    Measure T-Post location – Panel Layouts D-L Only
    • Measure the left inside edge of the window frame to the centre of where the T-Post will sit.
    • Repeat for T-post 2 & 3 where applicable. Always start from the far left inside edge
    • When deciding were your T-post will sit, divide your windows vertically to match the flow of the window design and cover large spaces.
  • Measure Mid Rail Position

    Mid rails are fixed across the width of your panels, they are approx. 76mm high and provide stability and strength to the shutters. For shutters with a drop greater than 1,600mm a mid rail must be included. When you design and order your shutters you can choose to either have your mid rail in the centre of your panels or if you have horizontal joins in your windows that you want to line up with you can customise exactly where you want them to go.

    • Centre mid rail: This does not need to be measured, when you design and order your shutters simply select ‘centre’ and we will do the rest.
    • Custom mid rail: Measure from the bottom up to the centre point of the desired mid rail location, note this measurement and select ‘custom’ mid rail when you order your shutters.
    • Critical md rail: Mid rails can vary between +/- 37mm (depending on the overall drop of the finished shutter.) If the mid rail measurement you have provided needs to line up perfectly to that exact location, then this becomes a ‘critical’ mid rail. If you select a critical mid rail then the top and bottom rails may not be the same size as they will be determined by the blades fitting above and below the mid rail.
  • Decide how you want to design your shutter

    For more details on all our design choices, refer to our product specifications page

    • Frame Options: For outside mount shutters the only frame style available is an L frame. The outside mount L-Frame has a projection of 78mm 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.
    • 3 or 4 sided frame: For L frames you will have the choice of either a 3 or 4 sided frame, depending on any obstructions you may have at the bottom of your window will determine which is the best choice for your shutter.
    • Split Tilt: A split tilt rod allows flexibility to open or close sections of your shutter blades separately, giving you greater light control and privacy. With a mid rail you can choose to split half of the panel equally above the mid rail only, or without a mid rail you can split your panels equally in the centre. If your drop is greater than 1,200mm you must choose to have a split.
    • Match Top and Bottom Rail: These rails are made to a custom size based on the overall drop of your shutters. When measuring shutters for multiple windows in the one room these rails can be manufactured to the same height, providing they fit within the rail specifications chart. This will ensure that the top and bottom rails will be made to the same specifications which is vital for a uniform look both inside and outside your home. When you design and order you shutters select ‘match top and bottom rail’ and in the text field note which other shutters they need to match (i.e., the room name)
  • Sizes – Minimum & Maximums

    We manufacture plantation shutters to a vast range of sizes. To ensure you always get a great result, we have minimum and maximum dimensions for our shutters.

      Width Drop
    Min 200mm - U Channel / Direct Mount
    250mm - L Frame / Z Frame
    300mm
    Max 950mm – Individual Panel
    5,700mm – Overall Shutter
    2,420mm

    Mid rail and T-Post Requirements:
    • For all shutter drops greater than 1,600mm; 1 x mid rail is required
    • For overall shutter widths greater than 1,900, where the layout exceeds 2 panels; 1 x T-Post is required.

    Important note: Panel widths can go up to a maximum of 950mm. Due to the weight and nature of PVC shutters, it is common for panel widths that are greater but not limited to 750mm to drop slightly once they have been opened out of the frame and will need to be lifted gently to be closed back into the frame. iSeekBlinds considers this normal for this type of shutter and therefore is not subject to any fault or warranty claim.

Extra wide roller blinds

If your window is wider than 3,000mm, linked rollers blinds enable you to place blinds side by side across your windows, bifold or stacking doors. You can keep any chains clear of the centre and the gap between the blinds is greatly reduced with the use of our linking brackets.

Our linked layouts give you the option to link 2, 3, or 4 blinds for a maximum width of 12,000mm.

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