Your Handy Guide on How Measure Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds offer excellent value for money, and work well for both windows and doors. Let’s start with everything you need to know before moving on to the measuring section.
What You Will Need
You will need a steel tape measure, a notepad, a pencil, and you may also need a step ladder. The first thing you need to do is decide whether you want your vertical blinds on the outside of the window to cover the recess or inside the window recess.
Before You Get Started
Before you begin measuring for vertical blinds, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Always use a steel tape measure, and take all measurements to the nearest ⅛ inch.
- If you are considering an inside mount, be sure your window has enough depth to accommodate it.
- Always measure the width first and height second (W x H) in a standard format and mark them as much.
- Always measure all windows individually, even if they seem to be the same size.
Measuring for Inside Mount Vertical Blinds
Inside mount blinds are installed between the wall and the window frame. They are a very popular option thanks to the mounting brackets taking up very little space on the window sill. Follow these easy steps to measure for inside mount vertical blinds:
- Measure the depth of your door or window from the front of the opening to the glass. And compare it to the mounting requirements section for the window treatment you have chosen. If the window frame isn’t deep enough to support an inside mount for your chosen vertical blinds, you will need to outside mount it or choose another window treatment.
- Once you’ve confirmed your window can support the inside mount, measure the width of the window opening at three locations: top, middle, and bottom, from edge to edge. Use the narrowest of the three measurements as the width of your window blinds.
- Repeat this process to measure the height at the left, center, and right. Once again record the shortest of these measurements as the height of your window blinds.
- Submit the exact window measurements to the vendor for your order. Don’t take any deductions, the manufacturer will take care of these for you.
- Double check your measurements follow the standard width by height format (W x H).
Measuring for Outside Mount Vertical Blinds
Outside mount vertical blinds are installed on the wall above your window frame, and are recommended for patio or sliding doors. They require accurate measurements to fit well. To measure your windows for outside mount vertical blinds, take the following steps:
- Measure the area above your window frame and compare it to the blind specifications to ensure that you have enough flat surface for the mounting hardware.
- If your window has trim, measure the width of the window frame from one edge of the trim to the other at the top, middle, and bottom. If your window doesn’t have a trim, we recommend adding at least 2-3 inches on each side of your window for a total of 4-6 extra inches to provide enough overlap and privacy. Use the narrowest of the three measurements as the width of your window.
- Determine the height of the vertical blinds you will order. If your window sill protrudes at the bottom, start at the sill and measure three inches past the top of the window opening to leave enough space for mounting hardware.
- If the window sill doesn’t protrude, we recommend starting your measurement two inches below the sill and then measuring three inches beyond the top of your window opening. If you’re measuring the height of a sliding door, measure three inches beyond the top of the window opening to the floor.
- Double-check your measurements follow the standard width by height format (W x H). In the case of outside mount blinds, the manufacturer will not take deductions, what you order is what you get. Make sure the measurements numbers are right before you click the “place order” button.
When you work with Ambiance Window Coverings, you are working with a trusted company that provides customers with full-service installation support and consulting. We will walk you through your ideal options in detail and oversee all work to the highest standards possible. We will also be around for the long term to perform any warranty service that might be needed.
