How to Measure For Custom Shades

Before you take any measurements, decide if you want to mount your shade inside the window or outside on the molding or wall. It is recommended to mount your shades inside whenever possible because it provides a cleaner look, however, an outside mount can make your windows appear larger.

Here are a few helpful tips when you are measuring:

1. Use a steel measuring tape

2. Round down to the nearest eighth of an inch

3. In your notes, indicate which measurement is the width and which is the height. Always indicate the width measurement first, then the height.

4. When measuring for an inside mount, provide to us the actual window opening size.  Our workroom will take the necessary allowances for your custom shades to fit into your window opening perfectly.

Tips for measuring for an inside mount shade

Measure the opening width in three locations; the top, center and bottom, recording the narrowest width. Always use a steel tape measure. When measuring the height, take three measurements; one on the left, right and center, recording the tallest height. When you specify an inside mount, our workroom will make your shades slightly narrower than the dimensions you specified to allow for operating clearance. We will deduct between 1/16 and 3/8 inches from the width provided on each side so that your shades will not rub or scratch your window frame. Do not take this deduction yourself!

Tips for measuring for an outside mount

Measure the window's opening width. If there is room, add at least 3 inches to each side of the window opening for minimum light gap coverage and maximum privacy. Measure the opening height. Add a minimum of 2 1/2 inches in height to allow space for mounting brackets above the opening plus enough overlap for the bottom. When you specify an outside mount, we will not take any size deductions, Your shade will be made to the exact measurements you specify. After determining the measurements that you want your shade to be, hold the tape measure up to your window and visualize what the overall sizes will look like on that window.

Tip: When measuring, don't be surprised if your windows aren't perfectly square - many aren't. If they're a little out of square, it probably won't be noticeable. If your window is significantly off square, you might want to consider an Outside Mount to hide the window.