Getting a rough idea of your window sizes is handy before you request a quote — it helps you picture the job and gives us a head start. Here's how to measure like a pro, and why we still send someone out to double-check before anything is made.
What you'll need
- A steel tape measure (a fabric or retractable plastic one can stretch and throw off your numbers)
- A notepad or your phone to record each measurement
- A step ladder if the window is tall or hard to reach
Step 1: Measure the width
Measure the width of the window opening at three points — near the top, in the middle, and near the bottom. Window openings are rarely perfectly square, especially in older homes, so these three numbers won't always match exactly. Record the smallest of the three.
Step 2: Measure the height
Do the same thing vertically — measure the height on the left side, in the middle, and on the right side. Again, take the smallest number. It's always safer to work from the smallest measurement than the largest.
Step 3: Check for obstructions
Look for anything that might get in the way of a shutter frame or the louvres opening fully — window handles, locks, blind brackets, architraves, or a nearby power point. Note anything unusual; it's useful information for your quote even if it doesn't change the measurement itself.
Step 4: Note how the window sits in the wall
Plantation shutters can be fitted inside the window reveal (recessed into the wall opening) or mounted on the face of the wall, depending on how deep the reveal is and what look you're after. A rough note on which way your window is set up — and how deep the reveal is — helps us talk it through with you.
Why we still send someone to check measure
DIY measurements are a great starting point, but plantation shutters are a custom-made, fixed product — there's no adjusting them after the fact the way you might nudge a tension rod or a blind. Walls move over time, frames are rarely perfectly square, and a few millimetres out can mean the difference between a shutter that closes cleanly and one that catches on the frame. That's why every quote includes a professional check measure before anything goes into manufacturing — you can read exactly what that process looks like in what to expect from measure to install.
Quick measuring checklist
- Measure width at the top, middle and bottom — record the smallest
- Measure height at the left, middle and right — record the smallest
- Note any handles, locks or obstructions near the frame
- Note whether the window sits recessed or flush with the wall
- Use these numbers for a rough idea, not a final order
Frequently asked questions
Can I just send you my own measurements?
You can use your own measurements to get a rough estimate, but we'll always send someone out to do an official check measure before anything is manufactured. It protects you from a costly mistake if the opening isn't quite what it seems.
What if my window isn't square?
It's more common than you'd think, especially in older homes. Taking the smallest width and smallest height measurement is a reasonable DIY workaround, but our installer will account for it properly during the official check measure.
Does the check measure cost anything?
No, a check measure is part of our standard quoting process once you've requested a quote.