Measuring Your Windows For Shutters in Southern California

Interior shutters in Southern California are almost always priced by the square foot, so if you need a measurement for a price estimate, simply measure your window width and length, to the nearest eighth of an inch.

For Southern California residents who are DIYers, Sunburst Shutters Southern CA will teach you the right way to measure your windows to be fitted for indoor shutters.

Measuring Rectangular and Square Windows for Shutters

Normal square windows seem like the easiest kind of windows to measure – and that’s because they are, relative to other window shapes. But you still have an entire process to follow to find your measurements. Here’s how to do it.

Tools Needed:

• Metal tape measure

• Pen and paper

First, measure the width (the left-to-right distance). Measure across in three separate places: as close as you can to the middle, near the top, and near the bottom of the pane. Record each one, rounding to the nearest eighth of an inch. After that, measure the length (vertical) – measure three times, one in the middle, and one close to the left and right edges of the window like seen in this illustration.

We recommend taking three measurements in each direction because no window is an absolutely perfect rectangle. And depending on what kind of mount your shutters will need, you may either need to record the smallest measurement (for an inside mount), or the longest measurement (outside mount). Taking measurements in three places helps make sure your bases are covered.

How to Measure Non-rectangular Windows for Shutters

Non-square windows are the windows that can present a challenge to measure. Just as there’s no such thing as a perfectly square window, there’s no perfect octagon, circle, or arched window – which means that even if you get perfect measurements, you could still have issues. If you want the best results, get a professional measurement (which our team is happy to do for no cost). If you’d still like to do so yourself, these are the steps to measure the most common non-rectangular windows for shutters.

Measuring Arch Windows and Round Windows

Start by measuring the width of the window at the flat bottom. Measuring only the window opening, mark down to the closest eighth of an inch the width of the arch. Moving on to the length, find the midpoint of the window by dividing the width measurement in two, then measure to the end of the rounded part of the window from that point. Again, write it down to the closest eighth of an inch.

Measuring Elongated Arch Windows for Shutters

Elongated arch windows look like a combination of a square window and a circular window, with a wide, flat bottom and straight “legs,” but with rounded corners at the top and a taller arch. So attack it like that: a square and an arch on top of each other. Get the width measurement just like you would any other arched window, then measure the height of the legs (the straight vertical parts before the window curves). Next, measure the maximum height of the window from the center, subtracting the leg height. Again, record all of these to the nearest eighth of an inch.

Measuring Octagon and Circular Windows

Octagonal and circular windows are some of the most difficult to measure, because there are a ton of tiny details that can alter the dimensions of the shutters you may need. It’s usually best to leave these more difficult ones to a professional.

For tricky windows and other windows you don’t want to do yourself, or to just prevent any and all headaches and future stress, call Sunburst Shutters Southern CA. We’d be glad to come measure your windows for free during your complimentary window treatment consultation. Just call 888-611-2474 or fill out the contact form below to start.