As many customers discover when measuring for interior shutters their window is not as square as it may appear. If you read my tips on measuring you will understand how easy it is to see this when you run the tape along the window sill. It would be almost impossible, especially with older windows, to make a shutter that would fit precisely into the window recess.
The shadow gap is the secret to perfectly fitting interior shutters. It’s a small clearance gap that we allow all the way around shutter frame to compensate for windows that aren’t square. It allows you to easily fit the frame in the window, but as there is a gap running all the way around the frame it is less noticeable where the window is out of alignment. The gap does not need to be filled but allows both fitters and DIY customers alike to complete an installation that looks professionally and fully finished.
I am often asked if the gap will look odd or noticeable, but you tend not to see the shadow gap and it also means that you aren’t constantly reminded that your windows are not square.
When ordering you need to remember to indicate whether the sizes you are providing are the recess size, and therefore have no deductions for the shadow gap, or are shutter size as you have made your own deductions.
If you have any questions about the shadow gap, or whether to provide recess or shutter size when you are ordering from www.opennshut.co.uk then please feel free to call me. All the interior shutters in my showroom have been fitted with a shadow gap, you can view the images in the Gallery.