Common Measuring Pitfalls to Avoid for New Blinds

Measuring for window coverings is an extremely simple process when followed correctly. As with anything if the instructions are not understood mistakes can be made. In this article we will share some of the common mistakes we see made on a regular basis and how to avoid them. We have broken them out to inside mount and outside mount to avoid confusion. You must identify which application you are measuring for and this can easily be done on our How to Measure for Blinds and Shades page.

Inside Mount

1. Customers sometimes attempt to shortcut the measuring process by measuring the size of the blinds or shades they are replacing. In an effort to make the process as simple as possible we take all the difficulty in ensuring a perfect fit by accounting for all the necessary adjustments for mounting hardware at our manufacturing facility. This requires that we are provided the inside dimensions of the window frame as laid out in our How to Measure Video.
2. The next common hurdle that can be easily avoided is that occasionally customers attempt to compensate for the deductions made at our factory. They try to eliminate light leaking in on the sides of the shades by ordering them slightly wider than the dimensions of their window. When this type of adjustment is made the shades often arrive too wide and have to be sent back to the manufacturer to be corrected. If you are a customer looking for the ultimate in light blockage consider purchasing the products in our Room Darkening Shades category. 

Outside Mount

1. One important thing to remember when measuring for an outside mount is to account for the head rail. Often time’s customers forget this which causes the shade to arrive too short for the window. Always add 2” to 4” for the head rail when measuring for this type of blind or shade. To get detailed instructions on how to measure for the exact product you are ordering visit our How to Measure page.
2. When mounting an outside mount shade it is common for light to leak in as the shades sit in front of the window. In order to minimize this we suggest adding 2” to 3” to the width of the blind or shade when possible. This dramatically reduces the light coming in on the side and will ensure your happiness with the window treatments you have ordered. 

Nate Kennedy