How Do You Measure Shutters for Homemade Blinds?

To measure for shutters that fit inside your window frame, you need to take precise width measurements across the top, middle, and bottom of the recess.

Measuring Your Window Recess for Shutters

Measuring correctly is crucial for creating homemade blinds or shutters that fit perfectly within your window frame recess. The key is accuracy and taking multiple measurements.

Here's how to measure the width according to common practices for shutters fitting inside a recess:

1. Measure the Exact Inside Width: Using a metal tape measure, carefully measure the width of the window frame or recess at three distinct points:

   • Across the very top.
   • Exactly in the middle.
   • Across the very bottom.

2. Record the Smallest Measurement: Write down each of these three measurements. The smallest of these three measurements is the one you will use as your shutter panel(s) width.

3. No Deductions Needed: Do not subtract anything from this smallest width measurement. Shutter suppliers or DIY guides typically account for the necessary deductions to ensure the panels fit properly within the recess, avoiding rubbing or sticking.

Why Measure in Three Places?

Window frames are often not perfectly square or consistent in width from top to bottom. Measuring in multiple locations helps identify the narrowest point, ensuring your shutter panels will fit without issue at any point across the width.

What About Height?

While the provided reference only specifies width measurement, typically when measuring for shutters or blinds that fit inside a recess, you would also measure the height in three places (left, middle, right) and use the smallest measurement for the height, again usually without making deductions yourself.

Summary Table

By following these steps, especially the crucial width measurements in three places and noting the smallest, you lay the foundation for crafting or ordering shutters that are a perfect fit for your window recess.