How to Measure Your Windows for Custom Shades & Other Window Treatments
A suit or dress tailored to your body’s exact specifications will instantly enhance your style and physique. In the same way, custom shades and blinds will quickly upgrade the look of your home. These sought-after treatments are designed and manufactured to fit each of your window’s specific measurements, ensuring the proper fit and style for a sleek and trendy appearance.
If you purchase custom treatments directly from the manufacturer, you will save time and money. The only tasks you need to complete are measuring your windows, paying for them and receiving them directly at your door. Explore the steps of the process here, and learn how to measure your windows easily and effectively.
The first step is to decide whether you prefer vertical or horizontal shades or blinds. Once you make this choice, determine if you will install them by inside or outside mount. As their name suggests, inside-mounted blinds fit inside your window frame. This style provides the most polished look.
If you prefer outside mounted blinds, they will fit outside your window’s frame. This configuration allows for flexibility in case you switch them to another place or purchase new windows.
Now that you know the types of blinds or shades to choose from, you can get ready to measure your windows.
Pick up a measuring tape, a pencil or pen and a piece of paper or a notebook. The tape will help you determine your numbers, and your writing utensil and paper will allow you to record them. Once you have your data, you can take it to your window treatment manufacturer to create your custom shades or blinds.
Shades require a unique approach. If they will be inside mounted, ensure the window depth is at least two to four inches. Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom. Record the dimension that is the narrowest. Next, take your height recordings at the top, middle and bottom, extending the measurement only to the top of the sill. Write down the longest number. Finally, measure on the diagonal. Should the two recordings remain unequal, ask for an outside mount application.
For outside-mounted roller shades, record the correct width, and include any overlap you would like. Most homeowners choose three inches on each side. Now, record the height, adding inches for any extra fabric you’d like.
If you are measuring inside-mounted horizontal blinds, you will need to measure the width at the top, middle and bottom of your window. Once you do this, record and highlight the width that is most narrow. Provide exact measurements, including quarter or half inches. Your factory will help you use this number to accommodate any necessary mounting brackets.
Now, you should measure the window height at the left, right and middle. Take the number of the longest height and give these measurements to the factory.
Should you desire outside-mounted horizontal blinds, measure the width of your chosen window. Add three inches for overlap to your final number. Next, measure the height from the highest point of the headrail to the sill. If you do not have a sill on your window, measure to where you want the bottom of your blind to rest. Tack on one and a half inches to the height to help keep light out and ensure your privacy.
For inside-mounted vertical blinds, first ensure that the window casing is at least 2 ¾ inches to 3 ¾ inches deep. Next, measure the width from the top to the sill in a few separate places. Use the smallest dimension you record to determine the actual blind width. Now, it is time to measure the height. Record another three or four measurements and choose the longest number. Finally, measure the window diagonally in a couple of different places. If the dimensions do not come up equal, tell your manufacturer you want an outside mount application. This will improve the appearance and function of the blinds.
Make note of the window’s width, including any molding or frames around it. Add three inches for each side to keep light out. Second, measure the height of the window from top to bottom. If you have a sill, extend your measurement past it. Add another three inches to this number for mounting. The manufacturer will not make allowances on this outside mount, so be sure to double check your recordings.
If you are interested in measuring for another type of treatment, contact your shade or blind manufacturer. They will tell you how to determine your number and which deductions to add or take out. The process is worth it, as custom window coverings will make the interior and exterior of your home look neat, charming and tasteful. Window treatments that fit appropriately also help keep your home secure and increase your energy efficiency.
If you purchase custom treatments directly from the manufacturer, you will save time and money. The only tasks you need to complete are measuring your windows, paying for them and receiving them directly at your door. Explore the steps of the process here, and learn how to measure your windows easily and effectively.
Decide on Your Style
The first step is to decide whether you prefer vertical or horizontal shades or blinds. Once you make this choice, determine if you will install them by inside or outside mount. As their name suggests, inside-mounted blinds fit inside your window frame. This style provides the most polished look.
If you prefer outside mounted blinds, they will fit outside your window’s frame. This configuration allows for flexibility in case you switch them to another place or purchase new windows.
Now that you know the types of blinds or shades to choose from, you can get ready to measure your windows.
Grab the Right Tools
Pick up a measuring tape, a pencil or pen and a piece of paper or a notebook. The tape will help you determine your numbers, and your writing utensil and paper will allow you to record them. Once you have your data, you can take it to your window treatment manufacturer to create your custom shades or blinds.
Measuring Inside- and Outside-Mounted Shades
Shades require a unique approach. If they will be inside mounted, ensure the window depth is at least two to four inches. Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom. Record the dimension that is the narrowest. Next, take your height recordings at the top, middle and bottom, extending the measurement only to the top of the sill. Write down the longest number. Finally, measure on the diagonal. Should the two recordings remain unequal, ask for an outside mount application.
For outside-mounted roller shades, record the correct width, and include any overlap you would like. Most homeowners choose three inches on each side. Now, record the height, adding inches for any extra fabric you’d like.
Measuring Inside-Mounted Horizontal Blinds
If you are measuring inside-mounted horizontal blinds, you will need to measure the width at the top, middle and bottom of your window. Once you do this, record and highlight the width that is most narrow. Provide exact measurements, including quarter or half inches. Your factory will help you use this number to accommodate any necessary mounting brackets.
Now, you should measure the window height at the left, right and middle. Take the number of the longest height and give these measurements to the factory.
Should you desire outside-mounted horizontal blinds, measure the width of your chosen window. Add three inches for overlap to your final number. Next, measure the height from the highest point of the headrail to the sill. If you do not have a sill on your window, measure to where you want the bottom of your blind to rest. Tack on one and a half inches to the height to help keep light out and ensure your privacy.
Measuring Inside-Mounted Vertical Blinds
For inside-mounted vertical blinds, first ensure that the window casing is at least 2 ¾ inches to 3 ¾ inches deep. Next, measure the width from the top to the sill in a few separate places. Use the smallest dimension you record to determine the actual blind width. Now, it is time to measure the height. Record another three or four measurements and choose the longest number. Finally, measure the window diagonally in a couple of different places. If the dimensions do not come up equal, tell your manufacturer you want an outside mount application. This will improve the appearance and function of the blinds.
Measuring Outside-Mounted Vertical Blinds
Make note of the window’s width, including any molding or frames around it. Add three inches for each side to keep light out. Second, measure the height of the window from top to bottom. If you have a sill, extend your measurement past it. Add another three inches to this number for mounting. The manufacturer will not make allowances on this outside mount, so be sure to double check your recordings.
Measuring Other Treatments
If you are interested in measuring for another type of treatment, contact your shade or blind manufacturer. They will tell you how to determine your number and which deductions to add or take out. The process is worth it, as custom window coverings will make the interior and exterior of your home look neat, charming and tasteful. Window treatments that fit appropriately also help keep your home secure and increase your energy efficiency.
