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How to Measure out for Blinds and Shades

Abigail Sawyer | 19 Oct 2015 | How To

If you lot know you demand new window treatments, decided on a style and have ordered free samples to compare colors, the side by side pace is to measure your windows.

No two windows are akin and hardly whatever are perfectly square, and so it's of import to measure out precisely for an exact fit. We'll tell you how to measure for blinds in a few like shooting fish in a barrel steps.

Annotation: These instructions apply to most products, including forest blinds, imitation wood blinds, mini blinds, roman shades, roller shades, solar shades, sheer shades, cellular shades, woven wood shades, and pleated shades. If you're ordering shutters, draperies, vertical blinds, curvation window shades, blinds for doors, bay windows or other specialty situations, we have links at the bottom of this mail to more detailed instructions.

You lot Got This!

We believe that anyone can measure their ain windows, and save some money by flexing their DIY muscles. Nervous well-nigh getting information technology incorrect and being stuck with blinds that don't fit? Don't worry! We've got your back with our SureFit Guarantee!

blinds.com surefit logo

With the SureFit Guarantee, if your window treatments don't fit for any reason (your fault or ours), we'll remake them at no cost to you. Larn More.

Gather Your Tools

To get a perfect fit, it'due south important to have authentic measurements, and a steel measuring tape is the merely style to do that. Yard sticks or textile measuring tapes just won't cut it.

Steel Measuring Tape

When you measure, exist certain to round to the nearest 1/8 inch. If it'southward been a while since you've used a measuring record, here's a handy cheat canvas.

how to read a tape measure

Print the Measuring Worksheet

The other thing you lot'll need is our handy measuring worksheet.

View the Blinds.com Measuring Guide

Blinds.com Horizontal Measuring Guide

Cull a Mount - Within or Outside?

Window treatments tin be mounted 2 means - within mount and outside mount. Y'all must decide which 1 yous'll be using before yous measure or place your order.

With an within mountain the blinds are mounted inside the window frame with the brackets screwed into the top of the casing.

For an outside mount, the blinds are mounted to the front of the window frame or the wall in a higher place the window. Exterior mount blinds or shades volition need to be larger to encompass the entire window frame.

side by side of outside mount and inside mount blinds

In 90% of cases we recommend an inside mount. It gives a cleaner wait, shows off your window casing, and volition block more light.

It'southward only necessary to cull an outside mount if y'all tin can't mount inside the frame because of obstructions like window cranks and alarm sensors, or if your windows doesn't have enough depth.

Desire to know if y'all have adequate depth? On the product page under the "Measuring and Install Specs" tab, y'all'll discover the Minimum Inside Mountain Depth. If your window is shallower than the number listed there, y'all'll need to choose an outside mount or consider some other production.

measure mount

Now that you've decided on a mount, follow the corresponding instructions.

How to Measure for Inside Mount Blinds and Shades

how to measure for inside mount blinds

ane. Measure the Width

Start by measuring the width of your window inside the frame in 3 places - top, middle and bottom. Record each of these on your worksheet. Circumvolve the narrowest of these measurements. That'll be the width you lot utilise when yous lodge.

Do not make any deductions to this number. The factory will take off exactly as much as they need to allow your window treatments to raise and lower without scraping the sides of your windows.

how to measure for inside mount blinds

2. Mensurate the Peak

Measure your height from the window sill to the pinnacle of the window opening in iii places - left, center and right. Tape these measurements on your worksheet. Circumvolve the tallest of these measurements. That'southward the height y'all'll use to place your order.

Again, don't make whatsoever deductions. Tell usa the exact size of your window opening.

How to Measure for Outside Mount Blinds and Shades

how to measure for outside mount blinds

1. Measure the Width

Outside mount blinds or shades can exist mounted 2 means - to the trim around your window, or to the wall above the window opening (similar the photo above).

If you're mounting to the trim, measure the width of the trim at the top of the window.

If yous're mounting to the wall, measure the width you'd like the blinds or shades to be. We recommend adding at least 2 or 3 inches to the width of the window opening. (see photo above)

The factory will not make whatever deductions to your measurements, so requite us the exact size you'd similar your window treatments to exist.

how to measure for outside mount blinds

2. Measure the Height

If your window has a protruding sill, measure out the height starting at the sill and upwardly to 3 1/two inches across the top of your window opening to permit room for the mounting hardware. This is your height.

If your window does non have a protruding sill (like the photo higher up), we recommend that you start your measurement 2 or iii inches below your window opening. Also add together iii ane/2 inches to the elevation. In total y'all'll be adding about half-dozen 1/2 inches to the height of your window opening.

Demand Assist Measuring?

If you have any questions, or desire someone to guide yous through the process, Blinds.com designers are available to aid at 800-505-1905. Nosotros also have not bad videos that you can follow along with as yous're measuring.

Be sure to check out more resource on our Measuring page. You can also find specialized measuring instructions on each product folio nether the measuring and install specs tab.

measuring instructions prod page

Also, check out our additional measuring guides:

How to Measure out for Roman Shades

How to Measure for Roller Shades

How to Measure for Mini Blinds

How to Measure for Wood Blinds

How to Measure out for Cellular Shades

How to Measure for Angle Pinnacle and Angle Bottom Shades

Specialized Measuring Instructions

How to measure for blinds

As nosotros mentioned before, not all products arrange to the measuring instructions in a higher place. Follow the links beneath to come across more detailed instructions for these applications.

Vertical blinds - Mensurate width equally instructed above - pinnacle, center and bottom, choose the narrowest. When measuring the top, measure out left, centre and right, choose the tallest. This allows all the vertical vanes to hang evenly

Shutters - You'll need to check your window for squareness to decide if you utilize an inside mount or exterior mount.

Draperies - There are several other considerations with custom draperies like fullness, how much of the window you want exposed, puddling and more.

Arch Window Shades - Unless your window is a perfect arch (height is half the width), we'll have you create a paper template of your window. It's best to requite us a call at 800-505-1905 for designer assistance on this ane.

Blinds for Doors - Depending on your trim and door size, in that location are a few other things to consider when you measure for blinds on doors.

Bay Window Blinds - Some bay windows take angles that cause blinds to intersect of not ordered properly. Nosotros've got detailed instructions to assist y'all get it correct.

When to Call A Pro

professional blinds measuring

If you have lots of windows, windows out of reach, odd shapes or are ordering shutters - information technology might be worth information technology to have a professional measure for you. You can find someone in your area by visiting our Find a Pro page. Pricing varies, merely professional measuring starts at about $ninety - $125.

More Questions?

Don't exist shy! Tweet to us @BlindsDotCom or requite usa a ring at 800-505-1905.

  • Almost Author

    Abigail Sawyer is the Manager of Social Media Marketing for Blinds.com. She's a dwelling house improvement junkie who is currently restoring a 1972 cottage with the help of her hubby and goldendoodle, Biscuit. Walking in the footsteps of Martha Stewart, she'due south happiest when she's crafting or whipping up a new recipe; although nothing beats curling upwards with a good volume and some Daughter Picket Cookies. Follow her on twitter + instagram at @whatabigailsaw

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