Whether you’re putting up honeycomb shades or roman blinds, knowing how to measure for blinds is important. Making incorrect measurements will mean spending time going back and forth between the store, or even require that you re-order a different size online. To avoid all that potential hassle, we’ve put together some tips for measuring blinds so that you get the right results the first (and last) time you hang them up.
How to Measure for Blinds: Tips for Both Inside and Outside Mounts
Regardless of which type of mounting option you choose, measuring accurately is important to get the best results for both types.
To get started, you will need a measuring tape to get the best results, and a pencil to mark where your blinds will be placed. You’ll have the most accurate measurements and ensure your blinds fit properly by measuring to the closest 1/8 of an inch. Avoid taking deductions on any measurements.
In general, most blind units come with the necessary supplies to install them in wood or drywall. However, if you have to install blinds on metal or masonry, you’ll need to use the appropriate drill bit to do so.
How to Get the Best Results Measuring for Inside Mounts
Inside mounts are blinds that sit within the frame of your window and are more important to measure accurately than outside mounts as they just won’t fit otherwise. Once again, it’s important not to take deductions from your measurements.
You will need to measure three spots for the width of the window you want to put blinds in. These include across the top, the middle, and the bottom. For the height, you will need to measure at the left, middle, and right side of the window. Mark down on a piece of paper or note app on your phone the narrowest width and the longest height.
You will also need to record the depth of the window since you don’t want your blinds poking out.
How to Get the Best Results Measuring for Outside Mounts
Outside mounted blinds are just that, blinds mounted to the outside of the window casing. Because of this, if the blinds you purchase end up being a little too wide it’s not nearly as much of an issue than it is for inside mounts.
That being said, they still look better when they’re properly measured for the window frame they are on. Measure each distance from the farthest points you’d like the blinds to cover. To reduce light leakage, the blinds should overlap the window opening by at least one and a half inches on each side for a total of three inches on the entire width.
General Tips for Measuring All Kinds of Blinds
Firstly, you need to decide if you prefer an inside mount or an outside one since that will determine your measuring process. While measuring, note your measurements as width then height (i.e. W x H) since that is the standard and the way it will be marked on blinds you purchase. Finally, metal measuring tape will give you better accuracy in your measurements while learning how to measure for blinds than cloth, so use a metal one when making measurements.
Not all windows have equal measurements, and if your home sits on clay or sand it will move and settle over time. This is why it’s important to take accurate, multiple measurements since your windows may not be one hundred percent the same dimensions on all sides.