Inside mount

An inside mount places the shutter frame within the window recess. It can look integrated and preserve visible trim, but needs enough depth and a sufficiently workable opening for the frame, louvers, panels, handles, locks, and sash movement.

Outside mount

An outside mount attaches to trim or wall around the opening. It can cover shallow, irregular, or obstructed jambs and provide more clearance, but changes projection, visible trim, wall footprint, and panel swing.

Measure both possibilities

Record inside width and height at multiple points, usable depth, trim outside dimensions, sill, wall space, casing profile, handles, cranks, screens, alarm contacts, and nearby obstructions.

Choose the frame with the mount

L-frame, Z-frame, direct mount, hinge strip, build-out, sill plate, light-blocking overlap, and decorative profile all interact with the selected mounting plane and installation surface.

Turn the guide into a complete opening schedule.

Keep every finished width and height, mounting surface, jamb depth, panel arrangement, material, finish, hardware part, photo, and delivery note connected to the same opening ID.

Start the configuration

Questions about this topic

Is inside mount always cleaner looking?

It can look more recessed, but shallow depth, out-of-square jambs, handles, screens, trim, and window operation may make an outside mount the cleaner and more functional result.