Offset – the total dimension that the shutter will travel outwards when moved from the closed to the open position. The offset is typically the distance from the face of the casement to the outermost surface of the structure.
The offset is developed in shutter hardware by selection of a pintle made to "stand off" the casement a given distance – the shutter hinge has a sharp bend which moves the hinge barrel away from the face of the shutter at a distance to match the pintle standoff.
When measuring offset, it is critical to allow for irregularities in construction. Because brick and stone openings are rarely plumb and or perfectly flat, it is typical to use the greatest dimension and allow about ½" cushion. If the offset is too small the shutters will not open fully. If the offset is too great, the shutter will function well but sit off of the wall.
Standoff – The pintle standoff is the distance from the face of the casement to the mid-line of the pintle pin. The hinge standoff is the distance from the face of the shutter to the center-line of the hinge barrel. Adding the pintle standoff to the hinge standoff results in the total offset.
Virtually all commercially available shutter hardware is provided with matching standoff on the hinge and pintle. This assumes that the face of the shutter will lie on the same plane as the casement with the shutter in the closed position.
Hinge and pintle standoffs can be custom made to a user's situation. This eases installation and insures proper shutter function.
Throw – This is the measure of the horizontal movement of the edge of the shutter as it swings from the open to the closed position and varies greatly between hinge styles. If too little throw, the open shutter will cover the window molding. Too much throw and too much brick or siding shows between the open shutter edge and the window frame. Proper throw insures that the shutter will comfortably "frame" the window – not obstruct or detract from window detail.