How to Measure for Decorative Vinyl Shutters
Record each window, check the space beside it, and distinguish a panel measurement from the size of a pair.
Measure before choosing a size. For decorative vinyl shutters, you are planning the appearance and available mounting space beside the window. Record the measurements for each window, even when several windows look identical.
Make a simple window list
- Label each window. Use names such as front-left bedroom or garage-right. Note how many pairs are needed.
- Measure the visible frame height. Record the distance from the top of the window frame to the bottom. Note any sill, header, or projecting trim that affects where the shutter can sit.
- Measure the window width and the space on each side. Check for corners, pipes, lights, downspouts, and adjoining windows.
- Compare the proposed panel size. Use a cardboard outline or tape marks to see whether the shutter looks balanced and fits beside the trim.
- Record width and height in inches. Keep fractions where needed, then compare your measurements with the options on the exact product page.
Understand the unit you are ordering
A width selection normally describes one shutter panel, not the combined width of both panels in a pair. Check the product’s unit label and selected options before adding quantity. When replacing existing shutters, measure one panel as well as the window so you can compare the old proportions with the new design.
Check shaped tops and special designs
Do not assume a curved top adds the same amount to every product. For an eyebrow shutter, use the product’s instructions for the longest height. Mid-America identifies its shutter dimensions as nominal; check the design information rather than assuming every listed measurement is an exact finished dimension.
Operable shutters and Bahama shutters need a different fit. Their clearances and hardware matter. Use the relevant manufacturer’s measuring instructions instead of applying decorative-vinyl measurements to those products.
