Required Information
To order shutters, you will need to specify the width and the height, as well as your preference for cross rail placement.
Factors to consider
Ultimately, shutter size is a matter of personal preference. If your home is in a historic neighborhood, it may be best to size the shutters so that they have the aesthetic of functionality. If your home does not have a lot of room and you would simply like some color or contrast to add curb appeal, then a narrower shutter will accomplish that.
As you are measuring, be aware of obstructions such as downspouts, light fixtures, electrical panels, et cetera. If there is an obstruction near one window that requires a smaller shutter be used, it is best to use that same size shutter for all windows on your home rather than mixing sizes.
Shutter Height
Historically, functioning shutters would have closed into the window opening. To look the part, do not include the frame when measuring for shutter size. The shutters should measure the same height as the inside of the window frame, with the bottom of the shutter installed even with the top of the window sill.
If measuring for a door shutter, measure inside of the frame from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the top jamb.
For brick homes, you may opt to order a bit taller on the height of the shutters, as an exactly-sized shutter for the window framing may look small next to the brick window or door opening when viewed from a distance.
Shutter Width
Since functioning shutters would have completely covered the window when closed, the width of each shutter should be half of the width of the window opening.
Smaller shutter widths can help to prevent the appearance of the house from looking small or too cluttered.
On the house pictured here, a 15″ shutter would have been historically more correct, but it would have filled all of the space between the windows and corners. The narrower 12″ shutter offered the decorative contrast without overpowering the home.
While there was plenty of room on the windows over the front door and on the garage to go with wider shutters, the mixing of widths would have been more distracting than shutters that are historically inaccurate.
Suggested Shutter Widths
Window Width |
Shutter Width |
| 16″ or smaller | 7″ |
| 17″ to 22″ | 9″ or 10″ |
| 23″ to 31″ | 12″ or 14½” |
| 32″ to 40″ | 14½”, 16¼”, 17¾” |
Arch Top
Arch Top is an option for Custom Louvered and Custom Board-n-Batten shutters.
When ordering Arch Top shutters, you will need to know two height measurements. The overall shutter height is determined by the tallest point of the shutter (the peak of the arch). The shorter height measurement will determine where the arch radius will begin. What is referred to as the “arch drop” is the difference between the tall and the short side of the shutter.
The standard arch drop is a 1:1 ratio, meaning that the difference in height from one side of the shutter to the other is equal to the width of the shutter (a “quarter round”). If the 1:1 ratio will work for your application, all we will need to know when you order is the overall height (tallest side) of the shutter.
For a non-standard arch drop, we will need to know the exact height and drop you desire.
Non-standard arch drops can range from a minimum of 1″ to the entire height of the shutter.
Arch drops do incur an additional charge and add to the manufacturing time required.
Eyebrow Top
Eyebrow Top is an option for Custom Raised Panel, Custom Classic Panel, Custom Shaker Panel, or Custom Framed Board-n-Batten style shutters.
Eyebrow tops are similar to Arch Tops, but are only available in 1″, 2″, or 3″ drops (3″ drop not available on 7″ or 9″ widths).
Unless otherwise specified, the 3″ drop is standard on 10″, 12″, 14½”, 16¼”, and 17¾” wide shutters.
For 7″ and 9″ wide shutters, standard Eyebrow drop is 2″.
Cross Rail Placement
Traditionally, the cross rails should line up with the meeting rail (where the inner and outer window sash come together).
A standard double-hung window will have shutters with centered cross rails.
Some styles of windows have offset sashes, most of which are accommodated with one of our ten standard configuration options.
Since all of our shutters are custom-made to order, you can also specify exactly where and how many cross rails you would like placed on your shutters.
Still Need Help?
One of the benchmarks of service that has set Yankee apart over the years has been personal attention to each customer. Historically, this has included house calls to measure and offer consultation regarding best fit or color selection. With the move to online sales and a national market, we cannot possibly offer our house call service, but we can do so virtually! By emailing photos or consulting Google Street View (if available), we would be happy to help you make the selection that is best for you.
If you require assistance in measuring your windows, whether it is a question about how to figure an arch top dimension or how to place cross rails, you may contact us. We will be happy to walk you through how to select a style or measure for your specific application.