Measuring your windows for blinds and shades is easy and we provide these measuring instructions to help make it even easier for you. If you have any questions regarding how to measure properly for our products then please contact us.
Important rules to follow while measuring your windows:
- Always use a steel measuring tape for accuracy.
- Write down WIDTH first then HEIGHT. Do not list them out of order.
- Measure ALL of your windows, even if they appear to be the same size.
- Never measure an existing blind/shade for your measurements.
There are two mount types to consider, Inside Mount and Outside Mount. Please note that mounting onto a door is considered an outside mount.
Inside Mount
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Inside mounted blinds and shades are mounted within the window frame providing a clean, custom look. A great way to leave an attractive window trim exposed. Please note that if your mounting space is restricted in width or it is between two stationary objects then that is most likely also considered an inside mount because the inside mount deduction may be required for the product to fit.
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To properly mount a blind inside the window's frame, your frame must be deep enough to
accommodate the mounting brackets. If the depth of your window's frame is not equal to or greater than the
minimum mounting depth, you will need to measure for an outside mount and mount your product outside the
window frame. The mounting depth must be unobstructed and flat for mounting the brackets. The brackets for this product
can be side mount, ceiling/top mount, or rear/wall mount. Center support brackets (included for blinds wider than 48") are
ceiling/top mount or rear/wall mount only.
Minimum Inside Mounting Depth is the minimum depth required to mount a blind inside the window
opening. This depth allows for enough flat space for the brackets to be mounted. A portion of the blind and the brackets may
protrude from the window opening.
Flush Inside Mounting Depth is the depth required to mount a blind so that it is fully recessed inside
the window casing and no portion of the blind protrudes from the window frame. Obstructions such as window cranks, handles
and other items inside the window opening must be factored into your depth measurement.
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Width
Measure the exact window opening width in at least THREE (3) places: top, middle, and bottom. Take the smallest/narrowest of the 3 measurements and write it down.
If your measurement is a 1/16" or 1/32" measurement, then round it down to the nearest 1/8". This is the width you will order. Do not take any deductions from your measurement.
Example: if your smallest width measurement is 32 9/16", then round it down to 32 1/2". If your width measurement is 54 3/4", then you do not round it down. 1/8" measurements are 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", and any whole number. Height
Measure the exact height from the top inside edge down to the windowsill/window bottom in THREE (3) places: left, middle, right.
Take the largest/longest of the three measurements. If your measurement is a 1/16" or 1/32" measurement, then round it up to the nearest 1/8".
This is the height you will order.
Example: if your largest height measurement is 32 9/16", then round it up to 32 5/8". If your largest height measurement is 54 3/4", then you do not round it down. 1/8" measurements are 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", and any whole number.
Important: You must provide the smallest width measurement of the opening when ordering. If your window opening has a narrower width at any other location than where you measured, then measure that width.
Important: Do not take any deductions from your measurements. The manufacturing factory will make a 1/2" (+/- 3/16" variance)
deduction off the ordered width for slats and bottom rail and a 3/4" (+/- 3/16" variance) deduction off the ordered width for headrail to allow for the proper
installation and operation of your blind. Do not increase the measured width to reduce the manufacturer deduction.
Obstacles: If your window has obstacles/obstructions such as window handles or cranks that can interfere with the operation of your inside mount blind, consider an Outside Mount.
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Measure the window opening on the diagonal from corner to corner. First from the top left corner to the
bottom right corner and then from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. If the two
measurements differ by more than a 1/2" then it is recommended that you switch to an outside mount.
Please note: When measuring, do not be surprised if your windows are not exactly
square, many aren't. If they are a little out of square, it will probably not be noticeable.
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Standard Valance Width
The standard valance width will be determined based on the ordered width measurement and if you ordered side returns or not. An inside mount valance with no side
returns will be approximately 1/8" less width than the ordered width measurement. A valance that is ordered with side returns will be 1" wider than the ordered width
measurement on the back of the valance, between the side returns, to allow for the side returns to have clearance when wrapping around the installation brackets, and
the face of the valance will be approximately 2" wider than the ordered width.
Custom Valance Width
This option is ordered if you need the valance to be wider than the default width. If you are ordering the valance with no side returns, then the width selected
for the custom valance width is the finished width of the valance.
If you are ordering the valance with inside mount side returns or custom side returns, then the manufacturer will add 1" to your selected valance width so the finished
valance is 1" wider between the side returns and approximately 2" wider across the face of the valance than the ordered width of the common valance (this is required to
provide clearance beyond the brackets for the side returns to attach to the valance).
For a custom valance with side returns, if you want the valance side returns to extend beyond any obstacles, such as trim, make sure to adjust your valance width
measurement to account for the extra width required.
Shared Common Valance
If you are mounting multiple blinds into one window opening then you can choose to have one shared common valance that covers the
headrails of all of the blinds. To measure for the valance width simply measure the exact width of the total window opening at the top.
This is the exact width you will enter for the Valance Width.
If you are ordering the valance with no side returns, then the width selected for the custom valance width is the finished width of the valance.
If you are ordering the valance with inside mount side returns or custom side returns, then the manufacturer will add 1" to your selected valance width so the finished
valance is 1" wider between the side returns and approximately 2" wider across the face of the valance than your selected width of the common valance (this is required to
provide clearance beyond the brackets for the side returns to attach to the valance).
For a common valance with side returns, if you want the valance side returns to extend beyond any obstacles, such as trim, make sure to adjust your valance width
measurement to account for the extra width required.
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Inside Mount blinds have the option of either no side returns, inside mount side returns, or a custom side return size.
No Side Returns (Flush Inside Mount)
If your window depth (measured above) is greater than or equal to the "Flush Inside Mounting Depth" then you can choose this option.
The valance will be made to a width of 1/8" less than your window opening ordered width. The blind will be mounted so that the
valance is inside the window opening, either flush with the outside wall/trim or inset inside the opening if you have excess depth
and prefer the appearance.
Inside Mount Side Returns
If your window depth (measured above) is not deep enough for a flush inside mount or you want to mount the blind at the front edge of
the window opening then we recommend that you select this option. The valance will be made wider than the blind to acommodate the
side returns. The side returns will provide a finished look covering the sides of the headrail and return back towards the wall or trim. Side returns
for this product are measured from the back of the valance to the edge of the side return, on the backside of the side return. Side return
size is 1/2" on the back and approximately 1" on the face.
Custom Side Returns
If you want a longer side return size, then you can take the mounting depth that you measured above and subtract it from 3 3/8". The difference is the size
you will order for the custom side returns. This assumes that you will place the back of the bracket at the starting point of your depth measurement.
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Outside Mount
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Outside mounted blinds are mounted to the wall or the window trim/molding outside of the window opening and cover
an area larger than the window itself. Outside mounts provide better light control and privacy. Perfect
for windows that lack the required depth for an inside mount.
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Width
Measure the width of the area you wish to cover (left to right). We recommend that you provide at least 3" of total overlap
wider than the window opening to ensure maximum light control, 1 1/2" on each side. This is the exact width you will order.
Height
Measure the height of the area you wish to cover, from the top of where you want to mount the blind down to the bottom where you want the blind to lower to.
Your height measurement must have the required Mininum Flat Mounting Surface (indicated below) above the window opening (on the wall or on the trim, depending on
where you are mounting the blind) for proper bracket mounting, this space is part of your overall ordered height measurement.
If you have a window sill that protrudes at the bottom of the window, stop your height measurement at the sill. If you do not have a window sill, then measure below the
window opening for coverage.
Important: Ordered height must include at a minimum the window opening height and the required mininum flat mounting surface for mounting the
shade. Do not measure only the window opening height.
Please note: The window opening width does not include any trim that is on the wall, around the outside of the window opening.
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To get an unobstructed view when your blind is raised/open you may choose to mount your blind higher so the stack is raised above the window opening.
To accomplish this, you will need to adjust your outside mount height measurement. Please refer to the table below for approximate
product stacking heights and add to your height measurement for the desired stack clearance.
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Standard Valance Width
The standard valance width will be 1" wider than the ordered width measurement on the back of the valance, between the side returns, to allow for the side returns
to have clearance when wrapping around the installation brackets. The face of the valance will be approximately 2" wider than the ordered width.
Custom Valance Width
This option is ordered if you need the valance to be wider than the default width. The width selected for the custom valance width is the width of the valance on the
back of the valance between the side returns, and the face of the valance will be approximately 1" wider than the ordered width. Your valance width measurement must be at
least 1" wider than the ordered width of the blind. If you want the valance side returns to extend beyond any obstacles, such as trim, make sure to adjust your
valance width measurement to account for the extra width required.
Shared Common Valance
If you want to cover multiple blinds with one valance, then you can choose to have one shared common valance that covers the
headrails of all of the blinds. To measure for the valance width you will measure the width from the left most bracket location to the right most bracket location PLUS
a minimum of 1 additional inch (1") for clearance of the side returns beyond the brackets.
This means that your valance width measurement must be at least 1" wider than the measured width of the left most bracket location to the right most bracket location.
This is the exact width you will enter for the Valance Width, which will be the measurement between the side returns on the back of the valance, and the face of the
valance will be approximately 1" wider than the ordered valance width.
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Outside Mount blinds have the option of either default side returns or a custom side return size.
Outside Mount Side Returns
The default side return will properly cover the side of the headrail/bracket. The size of the standard outside mount side return is 3" from the back of the valance to the
edge of the side return, and approximately 3 1/2" on the outside face of the side return.
Custom Side Returns
If you are mounting onto trim and the side return will return back to the wall and not the trim, then you can measure the depth that the trim (mounting surface) is off
the wall and add that to 3 3/8". This will be the custom side return size that you order. The custom side return size will be the distance from the back of the valance to the
edge of the side return, and approximately 1/2" longer on the outside face of the side return.
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