Roller shades measuring instructions

Measuring Instructions for Your Roller Shades

Blindster offers two types of Roller Shades: inside mount and outside mount. Inside mount blinds are typically installed in windows with deep frames, while outside mount blinds are installed on windows with shallow frames or to hide unattractive window frames.

INSIDE MOUNT BLINDS

Inside mount blinds fit inside the window frame and provide a sleek, clean, and built-in look that preserves the appearance of woodwork and molding.

If you plan on mounting your blinds inside your window frames, keep the following tips in mind:

• Inside mounts require window frames at least 1 1/8" deep for installation.
• For a flush look, your window frames must be at least 3" deep.
•  If your window frame isn't deep enough to support inside mounted blinds, choose outside mounted blinds instead.

Measuring Inside Mount Blinds

To get an accurate measurement of your windows before placing an order for inside mount blinds, follow these instructions:

1. Measure the inside width at the top of the window opening (where you will mount the shade). We will make the necessary deductions (approx. 1/8").
   
2. Measure the height at 3 locations - the left side, middle and right side. Record the largest of the 3 measurements. This is your ordering height.
   NOTE: Roller shade fabrics will be approximately 7/8" to 1-1/2 inches narrower than your ordering width to allow for brackets. If concerned over resulting light gap please select outside mount.
   

OUTSIDE MOUNT BLINDS

Outside mount blinds are perfect for windows that are too shallow to support the installation of inside mount blinds. They can be mounted to the wall, ceiling, or frame/molding around the window and are often used to make windows appear larger.

Here are a few important facts to know about outside mount blinds:

• They have no minimum depth requirement only a solid surface to attach the blinds is needed.
•  The mounting surface needs to be at least 1 1/2" for 1" blinds and 2 1/2" for 2" - 2 1/2" blinds.
• When measuring, take into account the area of the flat mounting surface that you want to cover.

Measuring Outside Mount Blinds

Follow these instructions to get an accurate measurement of your outside mount blinds:

1. Measure the width of the area you wish to cover. If space allows we recommend adding 2-3" (1-1 1/2" each side) to this measurement to help eliminate light seepage. This is your ordering width and will be the overall measurement of the blind.
   
2. Measure the height of the area you wish to cover. This is your ordering height. Be sure to take into account the flat mounting surface needed (see above) when measuring the area you want to cover with your shade. The factory will make your shade (including the roller at the top or the cassette valance, if ordered) to the height ordered. Generally 3" - 4" added to the height of your opening (including molding or framework you wish to cover) will allow you room to mount above the window frame.
   
   NOTE: Your shade material will be made 7/8" to 1-1/2 inches narrower than the measurement you provide to allow for brackets. If you need your shade to cover a specific width (e.g. for mounting a shade on a door) add 1-1/2 inches to your ordered width for the desire fabric width.