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 (to the nearest 1/8th inch) and write it down. This is the exact width you will order.
Do not take any deductions from your measurement.
Height
Measure the exact height of the window opening in THREE (3) places: left, middle, right. The height should be measured from the top of
the opening down to the bottom of the opening or window sill. Take the largest/longest of the three measurements (to the nearest
1/8th inch). This is the exact height you will order.
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 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 total width of the valance. If you are ordering the valance with inside mount side returns or custom side returns, then
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. For a custom valance with side returns, make sure to allow for additional "wiggle-room" width to ensure that
the side returns can wrap around any intended obstacles, such as trim.
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. The factory will then make the appropriate size adjustments based on
the valance side returns option you selected. If you order no side returns, then the valance will be approximately 1/8" less width than
the ordered width of the common valance. If you order inside mount side returns or custom side returns, then the valance will be made to be
approximately 1" wider between the side returns and approximately 2" wider across the face of the valance, than the ordered width of the common valance.
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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". 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.
No deductions will be taken by the factory.
Height
Measure the height of the area you wish to cover (top to bottom). You must have the required minimum flat
mounting surface above the window opening (on the wall or on the trim, depending on where you are mounting the blind) for proper bracket mounting.
Your height measurement must provide enough overlap to accomodate the required mounting bracket space and to provide ample light control overlap below the
bottom of the window or to a the window sill. If you have a window sill that protrudes at the bottom of the window, adjust your height measurement so the blind
rests on the sill.
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.
Please note: The Lift & Lock Cordless lift adds approximately 1/2" to the stacking height.
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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. Make sure to allow for additional "wiggle-room"
in your ordered valance width to ensure that the side returns can wrap around any intended obstacles, such as trim.
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 of the total window area that is being covered, at the top.
This is the exact width you will enter for the Valance Width, which will then be adjusted by the manufacturer. The factory will make the valance approximately 1"
wider between the side returns on the back of the valance, and approximately 2" wider across the face of the valance.
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Outside Mount blinds have the option the 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". 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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