Inside Mount vs Outside Mount: Which Fits Your Window?

The shutter panels themselves may be similar, but deciding whether the frame sits inside or outside the window opening changes the appearance, projection, measurements and the frame profile you will use.

In this article

• For this step, what is the difference between an inside and outside mounted shutter?

What is the difference between an inside and outside mounted shutter?

An inside mount sits within the recess. An outside mount sits on the front face of the architrave or wall. In many windows, the available depth and position of window hardware make one option clearly more practical than the other.

Inside mounting usually gives a more recessed look and results in a slightly smaller overall shutter. Outside mounting moves the shutter forward, which is useful when the recess is shallow or obstructed.

Inside mount vs outside mount shutter

Before choosing, measure the recess depth and identify the closest obstruction. Handles, winders, locks, flyscreens and inward-opening windows can reduce the usable depth even if the recess itself looks deep.

What is an inside mounted plantation shutter (recess fit)?

For this step, an inside mount positions the frame within the recess and can use either a Z-frame or inside L-frame. It can sit close to flush with the wall and generally gives the cleanest recessed appearance where adequate clearance is available.

What is an outside mount plantation shutter (face fit)?

At this stage, an outside mount uses an outside L-frame fixed to a flat section of architrave or to the wall around the window. It is ideal when there is not enough clear recess depth for an inside frame or where an inside fit would obstruct normal window operation.