Watch: How to Measure
Measuring for your new blinds is easier than you might think! All you have to do is follow our simple tips, double-check everything you do, and set aside some time to do it. Happy measuring!
Measuring Instructions
Inside Mount
Make sure your window is deep enough to be able to install your blinds inside the frame. Please consider any window/door handles, columns, dividers or any other element that may take away space from the path of the blind/shade when measuring for allowable depth.
- Minimum Depth Required for inside mount: 3/4″
- Depth Required for inside mount flush: 3 1/2″
Measuring the Width (↔)
Measure the width (black arrows) of the inside edge of the frame from left to right at the top of the frame.
Use the narrowest width of the three measurements as your final measurement. Always round down to the nearest 1/8“ (if you are getting 1/16“ or 1/32” increments).
Measuring the Height (↕)
Measure the height (red arrows) of the inside edge of the frame from the top of the frame down to the windowsill on the left, middle and right sides of the frame.
Use the shortest height of the three measurements as your final measurement. Always round down to the nearest 1/8“ (if you are getting 1/16“ or 1/32” increments).
Measuring for Special Cuts:
If a special cut is needed (baseboards, backsplash, chair rails etc.), measure the width (red arrows) of the inside edge of the tile, baseboard or molding from left to right. Always round down to the nearest 1/8“ (if you are getting 1/16“ or 1/32” increments).
Note: If the tile to tile measurement is smaller than the overall width of the window (black arrow) by less than 1/2”,a special cut will not be necessary. Special cuts may add to the total fabric deduction of the shade if the special cut is greater than the standard deduction of the shade.
DO NOT MAKE YOUR OWN DEDUCTIONS. We will make all the necessary deductions to the measurements you provide to make sure your product fits and functions appropriately in your window. Shades have a 5/8” deduction on the controller side and a 3/8” deduction on the opposite side for the fabric, a 1/4″ deduction on the height, and a 1/4″ deduction to the width of the cassette (headrail), do not add to the measurements you provide to make up for these deductions; if you need more light coverage, consider installing outside mount instead.
Outside Mount
- Minimum flat surface required above window frame for outside mount: 2″
Measuring the Width (↔)
Measure the width (black arrows) of the inside edge of the frame from left to right at the top of the frame.
Use the widest width of the three measurements and ADD a minimum of 7 inches as your final measurement. This provides approximately 3” of fabric coverage to each side of the window (for light gap and privacy). You can add to the width if you prefer, but 7 inches is the minimum required to provide adequate coverage.
Measuring the Height (↕)
Measure the height (red arrows) of the inside edge of the frame from the top of the frame down to the windowsill on the left, middle and right sides of the frame.
Use the tallest height of the three measurements and ADD a minimum of 5 inches as your final measurement. This accounts for 2” of flat surface above the window frame needed for outside mount installation and provides 3” of coverage below the windowsill (for light gap and privacy). You can add to the length if you prefer, but 5 inches is the minimum required to provide adequate coverage.
Notes: Consider how far your windowsill protrudes when measuring for outside mount. If the windowsill protrudes more than 1/2” from the edge of the window frame, you may need to rest the bottom rail of the shade on the windowsill itself, if this is the case, you will not need to add the additional 3 inches to the bottom of the measurement, only the 2 inches needed for the flat surface at the top of the frame to allow for outside mount installation. Door Frames: If measuring for door frames, only add the 2” needed for the flat surface above the door frame needed for outside mount installation if the blinds will reach the floor. French Doors: If only covering the glass on a French Door, follow the normal outside mount measuring instructions.