Handles, Winders & Other Shutter Obstructions

Window winders, handles, locks, keys, flyscreens and inward-opening sashes can occupy the same space needed by an inside-mounted plantation shutter. A deep recess does not automatically mean the full depth is usable, so always measure to the nearest obstruction.

In this article

• How much clearance do I need for an inside mount?
• How do I get around an obstruction?
• Managing obstructions for a Z-frame
• Managing obstructions for an L-frame

Set the Front Reference Plane

Use the front face of the recess as the reference plane and measure inward toward the window, keeping that same plane around the entire opening.

Common Window Obstructions

Typical obstructions include security boxes, locks, winders and handles.

Find the First Obstruction

Stop the depth measurement at the first handle, lock, flyscreen, mullion or moving window component that could interfere with the shutter. That point defines the usable depth.

Check Depth in Several Places

Check the depth near the top, centre and bottom on both sides of the opening. Use the shallowest clear reading when deciding whether the frame will fit.

Test the Window Operation

Operate the sash, handle and winder while checking the recess. Any moving component that enters the proposed shutter space must be treated as an obstruction.

Some obstructions only affect where the frame may be fixed, while others interfere with the louvres or rails. The position of the obstruction is therefore just as important as its depth. Use that result for this step.

How much clearance do I need for an inside mount?

For the dimensions used in the order, for this step, as a general rule, around 70 mm of clear space from the furthest window component to the front of the recess provides comfortable inside-mount clearance. This is intentionally conservative because the actual requirement changes with the selected frame and where the obstruction sits. Use that result for this step.

If you have less than this, an inside mount may still be possible after the frame, rail and louvre clearances are checked individually. Use that result for this step.

How do I get around an obstruction?

Remember that the shutter frame and shutter panel occupy different parts of the recess. The frame is fixed around the perimeter, while the panel hinges within it and the louvres rotate inside the panel. Use that result for this step.

An obstruction close to an edge can conflict with the frame. An obstruction further into the opening may clear the frame but still collide with a louvre. Use that result for this step.

Managing obstructions for a Z-frame

For this shutter measurement, for this step, a Z-frame mounts within the recess with a front lip around the opening. Check the current frame-profile dimensions and confirm there is sufficient clear depth at the perimeter for the fixing leg. A Z-frame requires at least 38mm of clearance to fit inside the recess. Use that result for this step.

Obstructions on the outer edges of your window recess

At this point in the shutter measure, at this stage, if a handle, lock or other fitting is close to the top, bottom or side edge, run the tape from the furthest point of the obstruction to the front edge of the recess. The frame needs enough clear space to pass in front of it. (38mm to mount the Z-frame). Use that result for this step.

Also leave practical finger access where you still need to operate the fitting after installation.

Obstructions located towards the top or bottom of your window recess

Once an obstruction sits beyond the frame-fixing zone, the next consideration is the fixed top or bottom rail of the shutter panel. Rails do not rotate like louvres, so they can sometimes be positioned in front of hardware with less depth than a fully opening louvre requires. Use that result for this step.

To fully clear and access obstructions behind the top or bottom rails, you will need at least 20mm of depth . Use that result for this step.

Obstructions located towards the centre of the window

Bottom and top rails are generally between 85mm and 148mm high . If an obstruction sits around 114mm from the top or bottom of your recess , you will need to check whether the rail or louvres will interfere with it. Use that result for this step.

For this shutter measurement, for the order, if the obstruction is positioned further towards the centre of the window, confirm there is enough depth for the louvres (shutter blades) to open without making contact. Allow at least 60mm of clearance so the louvres can open fully. Access to handles, winders or keys is usually not an issue, as the shutter panels may be opened when needed. Use that result for this step.

At this point in the shutter measure, as you work through the guide, if you don’t have the required 60mm of clearance , a midrail may be positioned in line with the obstruction. Because the midrail itself does not rotate, you only need around 20mm of clearance for it to clear the obstruction. The same principle used for top and bottom rails applies here, except the obstruction is positioned closer to the centre of the window. Use that result for this step.

Obstructions on the sides of your window recess

For the dimensions used in the order, for this step, obstructions like side-mounted handles and locks need to clear both the frame and the opening shutter panel. If your obstruction is more than 70mm from the side of the wall you will need to be wary of the opening louvres. See above section for clearance depth of opening louvres. If your obstruction sits less than this 70mm section, you will only need 20mm of clearance. Use that result for this step.

Summary: managing obstructions for an inside Z-frame

Check three separate zones: the perimeter where the Z-frame fixes, the fixed rails at the top and bottom of the panel, and the rotating louvre area. If any one of these conflicts with the window hardware, adjust the design or consider another mounting option. Use that result for this step.

Managing obstructions for an L-frame

At this point in the shutter measure, for the order, an inside L-frame also sits within the recess, but its profile and fixing position differ from a Z-frame. An L-frame requires 47mm of clearance to fit inside the recess. Use that result for this step.

Obstructions on outer edges of your window recess

For the dimensions used in the order, as you work through the guide, if an obstruction sits right along the top, bottom or sides of the window — within approximately 38mm of the recess edge — run the tape from the obstruction to the edge of the recess. Use that result for this step.

For this shutter measurement, for this step, you will need at least 47mm of clear space to fit an L-frame without interference. Because the frame is fixed in place once installed, it’s also worth allowing a few extra millimetres where possible if you still need access to a handle, winder, key or other obstruction behind it. Use that result for this step.

Obstructions located towards the bottom or top of your window recess

At this point in the shutter measure, at this stage, if the obstruction is positioned at the top or bottom of the window, but sits further than 38mm from the edge of the recess , the top or bottom rail may need to pass in front of it. Use that result for this step.

Unlike the louvres, these rails are fixed and do not rotate. To allow the rail to clear the obstruction — and still provide access behind it where required — you will need at least 30mm of depth . Use that result for this step.

Obstructions located towards the centre of your window

Bottom and top rails are generally between 85mm and 148mm high . If an obstruction sits around 150mm from the top or bottom of the recess , you will need to check that the louvres can still open without making contact. Use that result for this step.

At this point in the shutter measure, for this step, if the obstruction is positioned further towards the centre of the window , allow at least 70mm of clearance so the louvres can rotate and open fully. Access to handles, winders or keys is usually not an issue, as the shutter panels themselves may be opened when needed. Use that result for this step.

For the dimensions used in the order, at this stage, if you don’t have 70mm of clearance , you can position a midrail in line with the obstruction. Because a midrail is fixed and does not rotate like the louvres, you only need around 30mm of clearance for it to pass in front of the obstruction. The same principle applies as with the top and bottom rails , except the obstruction is located closer to the centre of the window. Use that result for this step.

Obstructions located on the sides of your window recess

For this shutter measurement, for the order, if the obstruction is positioned along the side of the window but sits further than 38mm from the edge of the recess , you will need at least 30mm of clearance for the shutter components to pass in front of it. Use that result for this step.

At this point in the shutter measure, as you work through the guide, if the obstruction is more than 78mm from the side of the recess , you will also need to check that the louvres have enough room to rotate and open fully without making contact. Louvres require 70mm of clearance. Use that result for this step.

Summary: managing obstructions for an inside L-frame

Take the actual reading of the location and projection of every obstruction rather than relying on one recess-depth reading. If an inside solution becomes too tight or compromises window operation, an outside mount can move the shutter forward and avoid the conflict altogether.