The Ultimate Guide to Measuring Your Windows for Blinds and Shades So, you're ready to transform your home with stunning new blinds or shades from Blinds Concept! That's fantastic. The next crucial step to ensuring a perfect fit and a flawless aesthetic is accurate window measurement. It might seem daunting at first, but with our comprehensive guide, you’ll be measuring like a pro in no time. Get ready to ditch those ill-fitting, light-leaking window coverings and welcome precision and style!
Getting your measurements right isn't just about avoiding frustration; it’s about making the most of your investment. Properly measured blinds and shades look better, function better, and provide optimal light control, privacy, and insulation. Let's dive in! Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount: Understanding the Difference Before you even pick up a tape measure, you need to decide how you want your window treatments to be mounted. This fundamental decision dictates how you'll take your measurements. What is an Inside Mount?
An inside mount means your blinds or shades will be installed inside the window frame, within the window casing. This provides a clean, custom, and integrated look, allowing the window trim to remain visible. It’s a popular choice for windows with beautiful mouldings you want to showcase. Pros: A sleek, custom appearance; highlights window trim; conserves space; ideal for French doors or doors with shallow frames. Cons: Requires sufficient window frame depth; may have small light gaps on the sides; requires very precise measurements. What is an Outside Mount?
An outside mount means your blinds or shades will be installed outside the window frame, covering the entire window opening and often overlapping the trim. This option is excellent for achieving maximum light blockage and privacy, or for windows with insufficient depth for an inside mount. Pros: Excellent for light control and privacy; can make a window appear larger; hides unattractive window frames; suitable for windows with obstructions or shallow depths. Cons: Covers window trim; can project further into the room. Tools You'll Need for Accurate Measurements Preparation is key!
Gather these essential tools before you begin: Steel Tape Measure: A high-quality steel tape measure is crucial. Cloth or flexible tapes can stretch and lead to inaccurate readings. Ensure it's long enough to cover your largest window in one go. Pencil or Pen: For jotting down numbers. Pad of Paper or Notepad: To record your measurements clearly. We recommend drawing a simple sketch of each window and labelling it (e.g., "Kitchen Window 1," "Bedroom North"). Step Ladder (if necessary): For tall windows, ensure you can safely reach the top.
Helper (optional but recommended): An extra set of hands can make measuring large or awkward windows much easier. Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid Even experienced DIYers can make these easy-to-correct errors. Be mindful! Measuring only once: Always measure at least three times (left, centre, right for width; top, centre, bottom for height) and use the smallest measurement for inside mounts, or the largest measurement for outside mounts. This accounts for windows that aren't perfectly square. Rounding up or down prematurely: Record the exact fractions.
You can round later if your product instructions require it, but starting with precision is vital. Confusing width and height: Always double-check which measurement is which when you write it down. A good habit is to always write width first, then height (e.g., "W 36 1/4" x H 48 1/2""). Not accounting for obstructions: Inside mounts need enough depth. Also, consider window cranks, handles, or alarm sensors that might interfere with the blind's operation. Using the wrong type of tape measure: As mentioned, only use a steel tape measure.
Forgetting to specify inside or outside mount: This is critical for us to fabricate your blinds correctly. Step-by-Step Measurement Guide How to Measure for Inside Mount Blinds and Shades When measuring for an inside mount, precision is paramount. We want the blind to fit snugly within the window frame without rubbing sides or having large light gaps. Step 1: Measure the Width Measure the inside width of your window frame at three different points: the top, the middle, and the bottom. Record all three measurements accurately to the nearest 1/8th of an inch.
Take the smallest of these three measurements. This will be your ordered width. Important: Do NOT make any deductions. We will make the necessary deductions (usually 1/4" to 3/8" total) to ensure your blind fits perfectly and operates smoothly within the frame. Step 2: Measure the Height Measure the inside height of your window frame at three different points: the left side, the middle, and the right side. Record all three measurements accurately to the nearest 1/8th of an inch. Take the longest of these three measurements. This will be your ordered height.
Important: Do NOT make any deductions. We will make any necessary adjustments for proper length. Step 3: Measure the Depth (Crucial for Inside Mounts!) Measure the depth of your window casing from the glass to the front edge of the trim. This tells you how much space you have for the mounting brackets. Record this measurement. Check the minimum depth requirements for your chosen blind or shade product on our product pages . If your window casing isn't deep enough, an outside mount might be a better option or you might need a different product type.
Example for Inside Mount: Width Measurements: Top: 36 1/4", Middle: 36 1/8", Bottom: 36 3/8". Ordered Width: 36 1/8" (smallest) Height Measurements: Left: 48 1/2", Middle: 48 5/8", Right: 48 1/2". Ordered Height: 48 5/8" (longest) Depth Measurement: 3" (Check product specs to ensure this is sufficient) How to Measure for Outside Mount Blinds and Shades When measuring for an outside mount, you'll want to add extra width and height to ensure good coverage and light blockage. You also have more flexibility if your window isn't perfectly square.
Step 1: Determine Your Desired Overlap Typically, we recommend an overlap of at least 1.5 inches to 3 inches on each side (above, below, left, and right) of the window opening. This accounts for light gaps and provides a finished look. For example, if you want a 2-inch overlap on each side, you'll add 4 inches total to the width and 4 inches total to the height. Step 2: Measure the Width Measure the actual width of your window opening from outside edge of trim to outside edge of trim. If there's no trim, measure the exact opening. Add your desired overlap to this measurement.
For example, if your window opening is 30 inches wide and you want a 2-inch overlap on each side, your total ordered width will be 30 + 2 + 2 = 34 inches. Record this measurement as your Ordered Width . Important: When choosing an outside mount, you can measure from where you want the blind to begin and end. This might be beyond your casing if you want to make a window appear larger.
Step 3: Measure the Height Measure the actual height of your window opening from the desired starting point (typically the top of your trim or slightly above) to the desired ending point (typically the bottom of your trim or slightly below the sill). Add your desired overlap to this measurement. For example, if your window opening is 40 inches high and you want a 2-inch overlap above and below, your total ordered height will be 40 + 2 + 2 = 44 inches. Record this measurement as your Ordered Height .
Step 4: Check for Obstructions While less critical than with inside mounts, ensure there are no obstructions (artwork, furniture, door frames) that your outside mount blind might hit when fully extended or stacked. Also, consider the projection of the headrail and fabric when choosing your overlap. Example for Outside Mount: Window Opening Width: 34" (from edge of trim to edge of trim) Desired Overlap: 2" on each side. Ordered Width: 34" + 2" (left) + 2" (right) = 38" Window Opening Height: 50" (from top of trim to sill) Desired Overlap: 2" above, 2" below.
Ordered Height: 50" + 2" (top) + 2" (bottom) = 54" Special Considerations Multiple Blinds in One Window: For very wide windows, you might opt for two or three blinds side-by-side to allow for easier operation and less weight. When doing this for an inside mount, measure each section individually. For an outside mount, you'd typically measure the total width and specify multiple blinds on one headrail or individual blinds with minimal gap. Bay and Corner Windows: These require very careful measurement.
It's often best to consult with us for specific instructions or a professional measurement service for these complex windows. French Doors: Usually, shallow inside mount blinds are mounted directly to the door, or outside mount shades are fitted with hold-down brackets to prevent swinging. Measure the glass pane plus desired overlap for outside mount. Transom Windows: Treat these as separate windows and measure them individually. When in Doubt, Ask! We understand that measuring can still feel a bit intimidating, even with the best instructions. That's why Blinds Concept is here to help!
If you're unsure about any step, if you have unusually shaped windows, or if you simply prefer the peace of mind of professional expertise, don't hesitate to reach out. We offer expert advice and can guide you through the process, or provide a professional measurement and installation service to ensure absolute perfection. Your satisfaction is our top priority. Ready to get started? Once you have your measurements, explore our incredible range of Canadian-made blinds and shades: Browse Our Products Now For an even quicker estimation, try our user-friendly Blind Size Calculator .
Have your measurements ready or still need a little help? Let's take the next step towards beautiful window treatments together! Call us or Get a Quote today!