Outside mount shutter frames: styles, sizes and when to use them

Outside mount frames come in several widths and profiles. Our standard frames are 1-inch detail, square and bullnose, 2-inch taper and square, a 2½-inch deco frame and a 3-inch taper. Every frame projects at least 1 inch from the wall, but the 2-inch taper slopes to only ⅝ inch at the edge.

When is outside mount the better choice?

Dave prefers outside mount on narrow and short windows, where an inside mount frame takes the biggest share of the glass. It is also the better choice when the window frame is too shallow for an inside mount, or when you want the most light and view. The panels cover the full window and keep full-length louvers.

Narrow windows

A standard window about 2 feet wide loses about 13 to 15% of its louver length with an inside mount. On narrower windows the loss is bigger. Entry windows are a good example, where the glass may be only 14 inches wide. Mounted outside, Dave can make the panel 17½ inches wide, so the louvers span almost the whole glass instead of shrinking it.

Short windows

Many windows are only 20 or 21 inches tall. Mounted inside, a panel that short fits about three louvers. Mounted outside, Dave can make the panel 26 inches tall, with the top and bottom rails above and below the glass. That fits five louvers and uses the whole window.

Dave's rule of thumb: an inside mount costs you one louver, maybe two.

How far does an outside mount stick out from the wall?

An outside mount frame projects at least 1 inch from the wall. Some homeowners don't like a frame that stands out, so our 2-inch taper frame slopes down to only ⅝ inch at the outer edge. The eye reads a much slimmer frame, and the projection mostly disappears.

Because every frame is built in our Lake Forest factory, we can also change its thickness to suit the window. If a window has only 1 inch of depth, we can build an outside mount frame 1½ inches deep so the louvers clear. A standard L-frame in the industry is typically 2 inches, one size for every window.

What kinds of outside mount frames are there?

We build outside mount frames in several widths and profiles, all custom to the window. These are our standard options.

A narrow 1-inch frame keeps the look light. A wider taper or deco frame can stand in for window casing on a drywall-wrapped window. Dave, the owner, brings frame samples so you can hold each one up to your window.

Can poly shutters use a low-profile 1-inch frame?

Not on its own. A 1-inch frame can't support the weight of poly shutters, which is why poly usually comes with a thick L-frame. We have two workarounds. Because we have the tooling in our factory, we often cut the L-frame down to a slimmer size. Or we pair the poly panels with a 1-inch wood frame, similar to how Polylux combines a real wood frame with moisture-resistant louvers. Every window gets the adjustment it needs.

How do you line up shutters on windows of different heights?

Dave sets the top rails at the same height across the room. Windows in one room often vary in height, for example 24 by 48, 24 by 36 and 36 by 60 inches. Builders usually set the tops of the windows at the same height, so what changes is how far down each window goes. The eye picks up on whether the tops line up.

With an outside mount, lining up the top rails is much easier, because each panel is not limited to the size of its opening. With an inside mount, each opening forces certain top and bottom rail sizes, which may not suit every window. Rails that sit at different heights from one window to the next make a room look awkward. Dave pays attention to this on every room, inside or outside mount.

This is part of our inside vs. outside mount guide. To see the options in person, visit our factory and showroom in Lake Forest, or call 949-951-0600 for a free in-home consultation.