When measuring an opening, you need to measure in 3 different places for the width and again 3 places for the height. It may be that the opening is out of square or may have a bow in it.
Treat every opening as its own project. Do not assume two openings in a room are going to be the same. Check where the panel is going to be mounted.
Is there at least 28mm - in the reveal for the frame to fit and is there room for the blades to open? (Check clearance table) Is the architrave going to restrict the proper opening of the panel?
Is there a splayed ledge or are the reveals tapered? This may arise as a problem if you measure at the place of a wall wherein the recess is not the same, the panel may not fit. You may also encounter “hinge bind” that is where the reveal is not square to the wall and the panel can’t park in its closed position, it will always bind.
Check for clearance of the panel as it is hinged and opens back against the wall. Will it encounter any skirting or architrave or hit another door swing?
Check if the structure into which you will fix is structural (a M² Aluminium panel weighs 13kg). Rendered walls are prone to blow out.
We recommend hinges placed at 600mm to 1000mm apart depending on the size of panel and placed 100mm from bottom and top of panel.
Is there a light switch or GPO behind where the shutter will swing.
Is the reveal square to the wall, is the wall plumb. Will hardware, hinges suit or do you need to get in a butt hinge or broad hinge.
Check clearances of windows, locks etc.
Check which direction blade is to face if clearance is a problem.
Measure window glass to the inside of the panel mounting position and check again at the sides of the window pane if they protrude into the room, thus reducing the clearance at the sides.
The stile is 50 (or 60 / 90mm Cedar) wide therefore the clearance concern starts 50 or 60mm in or 90mm depending on door specification.
Hanging strip is 28mm wide; Z mould is 36mm deep etc. These moulds can assist to gain clearance if there are quirks or profiles on the window frame edge.
You may choose a straight mould 70 x 20, 70 x 25 or 60 x 20 etc. fixed on edge of reveal to gain clearance. This needs to be subtle and not to be too prominent, as it will appear to protrude from the edge or the architrave.
Z moulds may not always be suited to existing architraves etc. but they do cater better for expected difficulties such as gaps, intolerance, out of square etc. If you do a good job on scribing a side mould it is the best solution for out of square.
The Z mould and Architrave can be pre-hung to panel and ready hinged.
The hinges are 'Hairline' or non-mortise type.
The screws must fit flush neatly into the countersink.
The small part of the hinge flap is secured to the Shutter Panel. Hinge bind will occur if the screws are proud or if the reveal is not 90º to the wall or if it's not 0º to the closed position of the panel itself You may in some cases shim the hinge or plane the door edge slightly back on a splay so that the door is actually closing past its closed location. This also helps if the wall is out of plumb (leaning towards you at the top). A slight chamfer plane to the hinge side edge is called ' back setting '.
To measure for a Top Mounted Slider Track or a Heavy Duty Bi Fold track a measurement (of 85 mm approximately) must be deducted from the overall height of the opening if a bottom guide track is used. If the Sliding panels are to slide past each other whilst both of the blades are in the open (horizontal) position, then refer to Clearance Diagram on wide configuration. Closed configuration (blades closed as they pass) is normally specified.
How do you plan getting the shutter panels into the room or upstairs? Apartment elevators pose one of the many obstacles as do such problems of storage of unfixed panels and finding a space to work or set up if it is a confined area.
Parliament Hinges or Wide Throw Hinges are mortised (let in) into the frame and the door. The purpose for these Hinges is to allow a Door to open all the way back on its axis. In fitting this type of hinge it should be noted that the hinge knuckle must protrude past the face of the Door when in its closed position and there may be some concern about the aesthetics, but it is for a purpose.
Light Strike the most common problem encountered on a job is the dimension differences between a square constructed panel and the existing opening on site. First you must understand that there has to be a small gap on all 4 edges of the panel once fitted to the opening. The standard gap is 3mm on the hinge side, 3 - 4mm top and bottom and 3mm on the closing edge. The gaps are required for the proper operation and clearances required of the panel. If the opening or frame is not square or has a dip in the head due to the initial weight or not straight edged the gap will increase beyond that allowed. It may be conceivable that a difference of say 6mm (¼") or more could be the result. This looks offensive and none more so if there is direct light behind the panel, which will highlight the problem more.