How to Measure Blinds and Shades: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to window coverings, blinds and shades elevate the aesthetic appeal of any room. And, taking accurate dimensions is the key to purchasing coverings that pair perfectly with your windows. Whether we’re talking about roller blinds or solar shades, you should know how to measure blinds perfectly for standard windows.

This guide has the complete low-down on taking blinds measurements as per placement—so you’ll be able to finalize the dimensions like a pro. Let’s begin!

DIY Blinds & Shades Measurement: A Simple Breakdown

Choosing the fabrics and metal shades for your window blinds and shades is the fun and easy part. The real challenge is to match your blinds to your window’s dimensions for:

The perfect fit, so that the custom blinds add an elegant touch to your windows
Minimal gaps, so that light can’t get through and you get a calm environment
No overhangs, for blind alignment and keeping the window frame safe from scuffing.

Simply put, when too wide or too long, or not wide enough or long enough, blinds and shades tend to put a damper on aesthetics and may even damage parts of your window. Moreover, you need flawless blinds and shades measurement to ensure light control and privacy. Additionally, well-fitting blinds help save energy by preventing sunlight from changing indoor temperature.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all when you’re getting blinds and shades for windows. After all, windows vary in size, so you can’t expect to find the proper fit in pre-made blinds and shades. Then, there’s also the matter of whether your blinds go inside (inside mount) or outside (outside mount) of the window frame. We’ll tackle this bit before asking you to get out your measuring tape.

Difference between Inside Mount and Outside Mount Blinds

The techniques for measuring windows for mounting blinds inside or outside are a tad different. For an appealing look and good covering, you should know what mount works best for your windows—and if it’s possible.

Inside Mount

First things first, for an inside-mounted window blind, you have to have a window recess—which is the gap between the inside wall and the window pane. This space is also known as the ‘depth’ when it comes to taking blinds and shades measurements.

The blinds or shades go inside that recess, giving it a clean look. The only drawback of choosing an inside mount is that there is always some space left between the blinds and the corners of the recess.

Outside Mount

The key difference between inside mount and outside mount blinds is that coverings mounted outside go over the window recess. Of course, you may not have a minimal window recess (recess depth) or may have put bars there—in which case an outside mount becomes unavoidable.

The outside mount is also ideal if you want excellent light control—something you definitely need if you’re going for blackout or solar shades. Since the blinds cover the entire window area plus an inch or so of the wall outside, there’s no peaking!

How to Measure Blinds Accurately for Proper Fit

For any kind of window coverings, listing the dimensions is a must. Measuring your windows for blinds calls for a bit more attention to detail than curtains and drapes, but we’ve created an easy guide. Learn how to measure windows for blinds inside mount and outside mount.

Essential Tools for Shades and Blinds Measurement

Keep all your DIY blinds measurement supplies nearby to make sure you’re not distracted and not making any mistakes. Here’s what you will need:

Steel Measuring Tape (don’t use a cloth measuring tape to avoid stretching)
Pencil (create markings for mounting brackets/other parts to accurately identify dimensions)
Step Ladder (for large windows, get shades measurement as close to eye-level as possible)

It will save you a lot of time and effort to complete the measuring process before you go shopping. Gather your supplies, and let’s begin!

How to Measure Windows for Blinds Inside Mount

First, learn how to measure blinds for an inside mount installation. Note that these measuring guidelines apply to standard rectangular or square windows since you can’t install inside mount window covering in curved window recesses.

Moreover, measure your window area precisely for inside mount blinds dimensions. Your manufacturer will consider all necessary allowances for mounting and operating the blinds once these are installed.

Measuring Window Blinds Height & Width

Start your DIY process by taking the vertical and horizontal measurements inside the window.

You’ll have to take three measurements each.
For the window height take your tape and measure left, center, and right.
Likewise for the window width, measure the top, center, and bottom.

Don’t worry if each set of measurements is not perfectly equal. For each measurement, round off to the nearest 1/8^th of an inch. You’ll use the largest of each window height and width measurements—regardless of which side that belonged to. The point of taking the largest number is to avoid any gaps.

How to Measure Window Depth for Blinds

As mentioned before, the depth is the space between the window pane and the inside wall. This measurement is crucial to ensure that the blinds you choose are the right thickness for windows.

To measure the depth, take the tape and extend it inside the recess towards the window pane. Note the number where the recess ends. If there’s a frame on the inside wall, take that into account as well. Round off to the number to the nearest 1/8^th of an inch as you did with window width and height.

If your window has a very small depth, you may need to forgo inside mount installation altogether. You may want to think about getting outside mount blinds for optimal light control and privacy.

Measuring Windows For Outside Mount Blinds

Since outside mount blinds go over the window recess and frame, you only need to measure height and width. The only tricky part of taking blinds and shades measurements for outside mounting is any window frames—which will not only be hidden but you also need to get your blinds over these.

To take measurements, here’s what you need to do:

Start by measuring horizontally for the width, on the outside of the window from left to right.
Place your tape measure an inch away from the edge to ensure good coverage for light control.
If there’s a window frame, then start width measurement at the point where the frame begins.
When measuring vertically, start from the top while considering space for the headrail.
If you have a window frame you may need to leave it as it is (no drilling on the frame).
Start measuring from the top where the frame begins—while making sure there’s a notation for the headrail.

An outside mount for blinds may not give you the perfect alignment as an inside mount, but it is very practical. Also, by following custom blind trends that complement the interior, there’s no reason why an outside mount can’t look incredibly charming!

Helpful Tips to Measure Blinds for Seamless Installation

When you place an order for custom blinds, it’s best to be aware of the common terms of blinds measurement before, as well as know the common dos and don’ts of taking measurements. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The ‘Recess Size’ means that you have to provide blinds measurements for inside mounting and that the height, width, and depth should be those you take inside the recess.
‘Blind Size’ applies to orders of outside mounting window blinds and shades. For placing an order you only need to provide height and width measurements.
Some manufacturers let you choose the Fabric Size option, where you specify the complete fabric size—but know that the final product will be larger due to the mounting bracket.
When you measure blinds, do NOT make any deductions on your own for any installation aspects. Your manufacturer will do additions and subtractions for fitting.
In case you are placing an order for multiple, similar windows, measure each window separately. Though they may appear the same, the dimensions may differ a bit—which matters for a proper fit.

Finally, if you are unsure about your blinds and shades measurement skills, don’t hesitant to go for a professional blind fitting appointment. You can also seek out a free consultation for window blind measurements.

FAQs

Do you have any questions or concerns about measuring your windows to place an order for well-fitting blinds? Take a look at these frequently asked questions to get your answer.

Q: Is it better to mount my blinds inside or outside the window recess?

Whether you place your blinds inside the recess or outside (if there is a recess) depends on the possibility, need for light control and personal preference. That said, where inside mount blinds offer a proper fit, outside mount blinds prevent light from entering much more effectively.

Q: What if I measure my windows incorrectly and get blinds that don’t fit well?

No worries if you make a mistake with measurements which you realize once the blinds arrive. You can go for blinds resizing. However, to save time and money, go for a free consultation with a professional at Aethos Interiors. We also do no-charge blinds measurement when you place an order with us.

Q: Can you measure blinds for motorized options?

Yes, you can measure windows for motorized blind types—same as you measure them for any other blinds! Electric blinds feature a motor connected to a battery pack—and these components are hidden inside the roller tube. Thus, you don’t need to worry about any extra space for motor blinds installation.

Q: How do I specify measurements when ordering blinds?

First, select whether you’re giving dimensions for Recess Fitting (inside mount) or Blind Size (outside mount). Then, add in the measurements for height, width, as well as depth (for inside mount only).

Q: Which kind of blinds are child-safe blinds?

Motorized blinds are child-safe blinds, especially for large windows with bigger heights where a corded blind would have an easy-to-reach string. Consult your manufacturer for child safety options when you provide measurements.

Get A Free Consultation For Window Blind Measurement By Aethos Interiors!

As experts in custom blinds, we are well-versed in window blind measurement and fitting. Reach out to us today for a free consultation, and we’ll connect you to one of our experts who can walk you through the process.

We also provide a free quote when you bring us your window measurements for any of the window treatments we offer. Go ahead and get a free estimate for your blinds or reach out to us at +431-877-7855 for any queries now!