inside mount shutters, 2x6 or 2x4 framing?

16 years ago

This is the greatest website, for both info and considerate answers.

I'm planning an addition and would like to have inside mounted shutters in the windows. I'm looking at "wood windows", whatever that may mean nowadays.

My existing house is framed with 2x4s and has Anderson windows. There isn't enough depth to have an inside mount without building up the window frame.

So, should the exterior framing on the addition be 2x6s to give the necessary depth? Or is there some other way of installing windows to get the required depth for shutters? Any construction problems associated with windows that I need to be aware of? I don't know what to ask.

Thanks.

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Comments (5)

samat40
16 years ago
Are the windows going to be framed all around, or just a sill and drywall? Your best option with shutters is to get some that come with their own frame. The frame can be selected based on the window reveal-- is it just drywall, is it a bull-nose edge, is there existing molding? There is a frame for just about every situation.

I work in window coverings, and whenever I can catch someone early enough in the building process, I advise them to NOT frame out the windows, except the sill if they are planning on shutters. There are some great "z-frame" choices that have great profiles. If you choose a frame, you can also have your sill made wide enough to accommodate a wider, more substantial frame.

The z-frame starts outside the window opening (like a window frame) but wraps around the corner and recesses into the window opening. This gives the look of an inside mounted shutter, while providing additional clearance for your louvers. The problem with fully inside mounted shutters, aside from the concerns you already have, is that any squareness issues will affect the overall fit, requiring caulking. A framed semi-inside mounted shutter will make every window look perfectly square. Hope this helps.
canishel
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for answering my question.
I've attached a link to a photo of the type of windows I have now.
The windows have moulding around them.Is this what you mean by framed? I want to keep this moulding in the new windows.

Here is a link that might be useful:
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samat40
16 years ago
If you use the same windows, the 2x6 exterior frame would help. And yes, that is what I meant by framed windows. The best scenario would be to increase the sill depth (outside edge of sill to window) and leave off any side and top framing. Have your sill extend at least 2 inches wider than the window opening on each side. Norman has a crown z frame that works as I described in the earlier post, and extends out 2 1/8 outside the window opening-- framing out your window nicely.

The important thing is to talk to someone early on and choose shutter framing-- saving yourself the finish cost of framing out the windows on the construction end. That way you also won't have as hard a time matching stains to an existing frame.

Are those windows tilt-out? Certain shutter installations no longer allow you to tilt them out. What size louver are you considering? If you want a 3 1/2" louver, for example, you would need about 1.2 inches of clearance from the back edge of your shutter panel for the louvers to open fully without hitting the glass.

It's good that you are thinking about this ahead of time. We do shutters all the time on existing framing, but when you add zero sill depth to the situation, build-outs are required and can start looking bulky.
stumpfu
16 years ago
Here are some diagrams of what shutter with 2" L frame will look like on a window like yours.

Here is a link that might be useful: Atlanta shutters
melanie389
16 years ago
samat40,

Are you still there?

"The z-frame starts outside the window opening (like a window frame) but wraps around the corner and recesses into the window opening. This gives the look of an inside mounted shutter, while providing additional clearance for your louvers. The problem with fully inside mounted shutters, aside from the concerns you already have, is that any squareness issues will affect the overall fit, requiring caulking. A framed semi-inside mounted shutter will make every window look perfectly square. Hope this helps."

I'm not sure I fully understand this. A Z frame is not a "fully inside mount" but is a "semi-inside mount." Is this correct? When windows are not square, a Z frame will not (or may not) require caulking as opposed to a fully inside mount which will definitely require some caulking? Is this correct? Is there a possibility that window to be installed via a Z frame will require some caulking? Thanks for your help and patience.

inside mount shutters, 2x6 or 2x4 framing?

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samat40

canishel
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inside mount shutters, 2x6 or 2x4 framing?

Comments (5)

samat40

canishelOriginal Author

Related Discussions

samat40

stumpfu

melanie389

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

canishel
Original Author