How to Measure your Windows for Proper Blind Installation!
Important! Always:
- Use a steel tape for accuracy
- Measure Width and write it down, then Length and write it down
- Measure to the nearest 1/8 inch
- NEVER Take your own deductions. The factory will take necessary deductions and allowances.
- RECHECK all measurements
- On an inside mount (inside window opening), check depth requirement for product you are buying. You may want to contact us for suggestions on this topic.
Inside Mount:
For all types of shades:
Take the exact window opening to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. It is important to measure the top, middle and bottom widths. Remember, not all windows are perfect-even in new homes! Take the smallest of the widths that you measure.
When measuring the height, always measure in 3 places across the window. Take the longest of the three measurements.
The factory takes deductions on all Inside Mounts. The deductions are taken on the headrail and the fabric according to manufacturer specifications. Fabric is always less than headrail size after deductions are taken and may be as much as 1 1/4 inch less than (sheer horizontal headrail or roller shade tip to tip) size depending on product ordered. This is the way the industry manufacturers these products. Deductions vary with each type of product. If you have any questions on the various deductions, contact us for help!
Special note on Sheer Horizontal:
On an inside mount, fabric will come 1 1/8" less than ordered width. There will be some gapping on the sides of the product. This is because the product is made to roll inside its headrail. This is the only way an inside mount sheer horizontal is made.
A Note on Depth:
If you do not have exact inside mount flush depth required for the product you are ordering, the product will stick out - especially with wood blinds or the horizontal sheer products. For wood blinds, you can hide the top rail and brackets on an non-flush inside mount by simply ordering your valances with returns (Shallow Mount). We do not charge for this request if done at time of order. The returns will cover the hardware and go back toward the edge of the molding or wall. You may need to trim off excess wood on the returns.
Outside Mount:
To mount blinds to the wood frame of your window, measure the exact width at the top of your window where the headrail will be installed from the outer edge of the molding to the outer edge of the molding rounding down to the nearest 1/8 inch.
Measure the exact height from the outer edge of the top of the molding to the top of the window sill or to the exact l finished length desired. Measure the height in 3 places (the right side, middle and left side of the window); round the measurement down to the nearest 1/8 inch.
Measurement for outside the window frame, i.e. vertical blinds, measure the exact width and height of the area you'd like to cover. Add 4-6 inches to your width you are trying to cover and 4 inches to the top-bottom measurement.
For a sliding glass door , duplicate the width instruction as indicated above, but for the height measure molding to floor and add 2 inches.
Specific roller shade cautions:
Follow instructions above and note roller shade fabric is always 1 to 1 1/8 inches less than the ordered width. If the fabric is to cover the molding you need to add accordingly.
French Doors:
F rench doors are a little tricky. Most French Doors have a glass "trim" that goes around the out side of the glass. You will measure outside of that molding (trim) and add an inch to your measurement. Be sure that your measurement is not interfering with any handle on the doors. Top to bottom, measure the same outside molding and add 3 inches to that measurement. Be sure to add the free Hold Down brackets so the blind doesn't bang on the door in use.
Side Mounts:
We do not recommend a side mount for any blind over 48 inches in width. We highly recommend that you speak to or e-mail our customer service before ordering a side mount. Some products can not be side mounted and there are sizing issues you need to know prior to ordering.
Special note on Sheer Horizontals:
Outside mount sheers need to be ordered 1 1/8 inches wider in order to cover the wood moldings.