D.I.Y. Saturday #18 – How to Choose & Measure for Window/Door Blinds

Entry #279, September 18, 2010

Covering your windows in your home can be an expensive undertaking. From choosing the window covering, to measuring, to buying and installing, the price and time can be costly.  Don’t forget you have to multiply this by how many windows you have throughout your home!  Today on DIY Saturday at Stagetecture, I will show you the first step in the buying window blind process – measuring. Check out these tips and then a You Tube video on how to measure for your blinds.

Blinds add privacy, beauty, and protect your home from the sun

Here are steps for measuring for blinds from The Blind Store.

• Use a steel tape for accuracy.
• Measure width and write it down, then length and write it down.
• When measuring and ordering width always comes first.
• Measure to the nearest 1/8 inch.
• Do not take your own deductions. The factory will take necessary deductions and allowances.
• Double-check all measurements.

Sheer blinds can diffuse light into your space

Inside Mount

The window covering will hang inside the window frame.
Width: Measure the EXACT distance across the window from the inside edge of the frame to the opposite inside edge in three places. Use the narrowest dimension.

Height:

Measure the EXACT distance from the top inside edge of the frame to the bottom inside edge of the frame in three places. Use the longest dimension for horizontal coverings, and the shortest for vertical coverings.

Window Depth:

The amount of space from the back of the window or obstruction to the windows outer edge (see below).

Blinds can be versatile and open from different sides

Flush Mount

Blind is mounted back into the window opening so that the valance is even with the window opening.

• 1.50″ for 1″ and 1/2″ Mini Blinds, 3/8″ Honeycomb Shades, 3/8” Cellular Shades and Pleated Shades
• 2.25″ for 1″ Wood Blinds, 3/4″ Honeycomb Shades and 3/4” Cellular Shades.
• 3.00″ for 2″ Aluminum Blinds and 2″ Wood blinds
• 4.75″ for Vertical Blinds

Outside Mount

actual window frame, flush with outside edges of the window trim.

Width:

Measure the EXACT distance from the outside edge of the left side of the window frame to the outside edge of the right side of the window frame. This will be the finished width of your window covering.

Height:

Measure the EXACT distance from the top outside edge of the window frame the bottom outside edge of the frame. This will be the finished height of your window covering. Outside Mount – With Overlap
The window covering will hang outside the actual window frame, over lapping the window frame enough to cover for maximum privacy and light blockage. Recommended for ROLLER SHADES and VERTICAL BLINDS.

Width:

Measure the EXACT distance from the outside edge of the left side of the window frame to the outside edge of the right side of the window frame and add at least 2 inches for horizontal blinds and 4 – 6 inches for verticals. 
Height: Measure the EXACT distance from the top outside edge of the window frame the bottom outside edge of the frame and add at least 3 inches for horizontal blinds and 4 inches for verticals.

For more tips visit The Blind Store

You Tube Video: How to Measure & Install Window and Door Blinds

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.