How To Measure For Window Shades

Blinds, shades or curtains make a room feel complete. They adorn a space as they add privacy, block sunlight and increase comfort. There are endless varieties of window treatments to suit any mode or purpose and tie all the elements of a room together.

The commencement footstep to creating functional, appealing window treatments is to have measurements to ensure the curtains, blinds or shades work well and expect exactly as y'all envision. Determining what size blinds you need, for example, can seem tricky if you lot don't know where to start and how to measure for both inside-mount and exterior-mountain blinds. We're here to help y'all get the perfect fit.

In this post, we'll cover the basics and show you how to measure your windows, whether you desire elegant, minimalist shades or luxurious floor-skimming drapes.

Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount

Before you lot take any measurements, yous need to consider whether yous'll be mounting the window treatment inside the window frame or outside the frame. We put together the pros and cons of both installation styles to help you decide.

Within Mount Pros and Cons

If you'd like to install a window treatment within the window frame, you get-go need to make sure the window has enough depth for the hardware. In general, a window casing should exist about three inches deep if y'all wish to mount blinds or curtains inside the window. Here are a few reasons to consider an inside mountain:

Creates a clean, elegant look
Allows you to hang drapes on the outside of the window and blinds or shades inside the window
Highlights gorgeous window trim or molding
Suitable for windows that do not have much wall space around them

A disadvantage of an within mountain is that it requires precise measurements to make sure the window handling properly fits in the window. Also, if the window casing lacks depth for an within mount, the window treatment will projection from the window.

Outside Mountain Pros and Cons

If your window is not deep plenty for an within mount, your other selection is to mount the window handling outside the window. Hither are reasons to consider an outside mountain:

It's more forgiving and flexible with measurements
Makes a window appear larger
An excellent option for blocking out light

A disadvantage of choosing an outside mount is it conceals the window trim. If you live in an older home with lovely window frames, you may not want to hide the architectural details behind a window treatment.

How to Measure for Shades and Blinds

If you lot've ever wondered what the standard size of window blinds is, the standard window length ranges from 36 to 72 inches, and the standard width ranges from 24 to 60 inches. Notwithstanding, window sizes and shapes tin can vary profoundly, especially in older homes or homes with custom windows. We'll show you how to measure out your window to go the right-sized blinds or shades, whether your home features modern or traditional styles.

1. How to Measure out for Inside-Mountain Blinds and Shades

If you lot would like to mount blinds or shades inside your window, gather the post-obit supplies showtime: measuring record, a slice of paper and a pencil to write downwardly your measurements and a ladder or stepstool if necessary. With your tools on hand, accept these steps.

Measure out the width: Measure from 1 side of the window casing to the other side in the top, bottom and the middle. If all the measurements are not the same, employ the smallest measurement for your blinds or shades.
Measure the pinnacle: Measure from the sill to the bottom of the top casing in 3 places. Use the lengthiest of the three measurements if they aren't however.
Measure the depth: This measurement is essential considering some inside-mount blinds crave specific depths to fit inside the window properly. Yous'll desire to measure out the depth of the flat surface of the upper casing. Here is where you lot'll adhere the headrail or the housing for the mechanical components of the blind.

two. How to Measure out for Outside-Mountain Blinds and Shades

If you decided to mount blinds or shades outside the window, take these steps.

Measure out the width: Measure the surface area you would like the blind or shade to encompass. For maximum privacy, extend the measurement equally much as three inches past both sides of the window.
Measure the peak: Determine where you want to identify the headrail, knowing information technology will be at least a couple of inches tall. Mensurate from there to the lesser of the windowsill, or where you desire the blinds to hang down. Information technology's amend to choose more length than not plenty length because you can arrange the window handling.

Regardless of whether yous choose an within mount or outside mount, go on the following tips in mind:

Measure in inches, not feet.
Measure to the nearest eighth of an inch.
Measure every window, and don't assume they are all identically sized.
Measure width first and length 2d.

3. Types of Shades and Blinds

After you have your measurements, you lot're fix for the fun part — shopping for shades or blinds. Blinds and shades are available in a vast range of patterns, colors and styles to complement your decor and create a professional look.

Types of Blinds

There are a diverseness of types of blinds to choose from. Some blinds to consider include the following.

Wood: Blinds crafted from 18-carat hardwoods add warmth, richness and natural beauty to a infinite. Wood blinds pair gorgeously with other furniture pieces, whether your manner is sleek and mod or archetype and cozy.
Aluminum: Gimmicky and clean aluminum blinds are an platonic choice where you need durability, such as in kitchens, bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Vertical: Vertical blinds are perfect for large floor-to-ceiling windows commonly plant in high-rising apartments or spacious lofts, and are available in a range of stunning colors, patterns and materials.

Types of Shades

Shades are available for all kinds of window sizes and are excellent at blocking light or making a room more energy-efficient. Hither are just a few shade types to consider.

Roman: Roman shades, made of a continuous piece of fabric, can come in a variety of fabrics from cotton to silk. When rolled up, Roman shades tin have the soft, luxurious expect of curtain, and when pulled down, they lie flat against the window.
Solar: Solar shades are similar to sunglasses, assuasive you to see the outside world through the fabric while notwithstanding providing light command and a make clean, modern wait.
Woven woods: Shades made with warm organic materials such every bit bamboo, grass and woven wood add repose and natural appeal to any room.

How to Measure out for Curtains

Curtains are one of the all-time ways to complement your home'due south interior design and brand a space comfortable and inviting. You have limitless options when information technology comes to choosing a drapery color, pattern and fabric. Curtains pair well with within-mount blinds or shades for a complete window treatment with versatility and style.

As with any window handling, you lot'll want to take measurements before you purchase curtains. Yous'll too want to make up one's mind if you wish to mountain the defunction inside or outside the window. The nearly common style to mount defunction is to do so exterior the window frame using a curtain rod. Inside-mount defunction are less pop, but might be the better choice if the window is deep enough and if there is a lack of wall space around the window.

To measure for curtains, have these steps.

Make up one's mind rod length: Normally, mantle rods extend two to six inches across the window frame. This extra length makes a window appear larger and widens the view. It's ultimately up to you and how much space you want to push the curtains to the side.

Measure width: If y'all are hanging curtains exterior the window, measure the width of the area yous desire to cover from one side to the next. Add an inch to the measurement to ensure you take fully covered the window. If you lot're mounting curtains inside the window, mensurate from 1 side of the window casing to the side by side, and plan on getting an expandable curtain rod to ensure a tight fit. Every bit a general rule, yous'll want to cull curtains that are at least twice the width of the window.
Measure out length: Mensurate from the drapery rod to where you want the curtains to hang. Yous might want the defunction to hang only beneath the sill or down to the floor — it's up to you. The goal is to measure the expanse you desire the defunction to embrace.

Hire an Expert to Get the Right Size

Selecting curtains, blinds or shades that produce the desired look requires precise measurements. You may need custom-made blinds or defunction depending on your window shape, size or style. Taking the correct measurements tin sometimes be challenging, especially for windows with unique shapes. When in doubt, it'due south best to accomplish out to an expert.

At Attraction Window Treatments, we're set up to help y'all find the perfect fit to create a space that radiates your unique fashion. To ensure you get the right size for your blinds, shades and defunction, volume your costless in-home consultation today.

Different Styles of Window Treatments

different styles of window treatments

Beyond only deciding on a color or overall look, you'll need to cull a type of treatment — from mantle to shades or blinds and more, here's how to make sense of the categories of window coverings to assist you decide which is right for your room.

1. Defunction and Drapes

Pall and curtains are fabric window coverings and can vary widely in colors, styles and price points. Custom curtains will requite your habitation a true, professional-designed look. If you work with a vendor that specializes in custom drapes and defunction, you lot will become professional communication on the manner that works in the room. This consultation ensures the finished drapes are a perfect fit in both style and measurement, and that they exceed your expectations.

Flooring-length curtains typically finish nearly an inch higher up the floor. With custom curtains or drapes, you can abide past this standard regardless of the size of your windows or ceilings, which means you don't have to retrofit a store-bought curtain to brand it work. You likewise don't have to settle for a pattern or cloth that's non quite what you lot're looking for. You're as well not confined to the within of the window frame as you might exist when mounting blinds or shades, just blinds and shades in tandem with custom drapes often complement each other design-wise.

Defunction and drapes too tin can be lined or unlined. Lined curtains can offer "coma" capabilities, blocking out all sunlight from the windows, which often makes them perfect for bedrooms. Unlined defunction tin can work well on windows that usually get lots of shade or you if yous have another window handling, such as blinds, backside the drapes. If the windows receive lots of bright sunlight, a lined curtain protects the room-facing fabric from fading.

ii. Sheers

Sheers typically a blazon of curtain that is semi-transparent, offering some privacy while at the same fourth dimension letting in sunlight. Sheers are often paired with opaque defunction for the most versatility and a formal, archetype appearance. Sheers on their ain also have a very romantic, airy vibe and work best when used in long panels. Yous can drape them around drapery rods, furniture or even pool them on the floor for a dramatic look you simply can't become with other styles of window treatments.

Another type of sheer, and one that Attraction offers, are our vertical Luminette® Privacy Sheers. These sheers offer you the functionality and privacy of vertical blinds, and permit you control whether you desire filtered or full-on light in your rooms. Sheers like this piece of work well with sliding doors and vast window expanses, so you can determine how much coverage y'all would like depending on the time of day. These mod, chichi blinds piece of work well both in residential and commercial spaces.

3. Horizontal Blinds

Horizontal blinds offer functionality while adding an overall aesthetic appeal to your space.

If y'all're looking for a traditional feel, y'all might prefer a hand-crafted wood blind or woods-similar finish style. An aluminum horizontal bullheaded can have a striking appearance that tin work in both traditional and more modern homes or spaces.

Horizontal blinds often work well in bedrooms and over-the-sink kitchen windows because you lot can hands adjust the level of privacy. Your abode's architecture will determine the finish, texture, valances and wand attachments you should choose — all options that truly bring your windows to life in your space.

Use blinds with pall to complete a await.

4. Shades

If you want a more than opaque way and are looking for something other than sheers or horizontal blinds, shades come in varying opacities and offer privacy and shade from light.

There are several different types and styles of shades:

- Honeycomb: This type of shade, also called pleated or cellular shades, pulls down, just the material has chambers that trap air, providing greater insulation and possible savings on your home'south energy beak.
- Roman: The fabric of Roman shades have elegant gathers and folds, giving them a more unique appearance. Considering they are made of fabric, they tin can also offer some sound-dampening qualities.
- Roller: These shades are housed in a valance tube at the top of the window and pull down similar a gyre of wrapping paper or an old-fashioned schoolhouse map with a chain or by a motor with a remote control. Yous get privacy while blocking dominicus glare and UV rays, simply can still run into out through the shade.
- Silhouette: Resembling horizontal blinds in functionality, silhouette shades are s-shaped and fabricated from sheer fabrics that look like they're floating in your windows suspended in that location between calorie-free and air. These shades give your windows, and your space, a sophisticated feel.
- Pirouette: A totally unique experience in window treatments, these shades motility and bend upward like a pirouette — their shape gives you elegance with all sunday and UV-protection traditional coverings offer. You tin accept both delightful style with protection and practical role, which makes these shades desirable in many Philadelphia homes for all types of windows.
- Woven: Woven shades requite you the warm feel and strength of nature all in i window dressing. Woven shades typically are seen every bit rollers, roman and in drapery, and then the choice is yours when you bring the textures of the outside into your home.

5. Shutters

Ane of the most classic window handling options available, shutters provide a unique look for a habitation with instant adjourn appeal, added resale value and a designer woodwork appearance.

With this style, having your windows professionally measured and fitted will guarantee a stunning result. Shutters are long-lasting, take timeless appeal and are window treatments that wait adept from the outside too.

Motorized Window Treatments

Today's window treatments can come up infused with engineering, for the ultimate in privacy and comfort. Almost all types of window coverings, from curtains to blinds to shades, can exist found in a motorized choice. The motors are minor and are hidden out of sight, usually with a battery compartment that fits correct in the pinnacle runway or rod of the window treatment, or a discreet plugin to employ the electricity of your domicile.

With this trendy advancement in home décor, motorized window treatments allow you lot to raise or lower your shades and blinds, or open and close their curtains at the touch of a button. They can be operated by a remote or programmed by a smartphone or tablet. Newer models also have self-controlling capabilities and tin move automatically co-ordinate to the positioning of the sunday, or a pre-gear up program that y'all tin can prepare to your liking. Spend your time on other more than important tasks, and less time adjusting all your drapes and blinds.

Automatic motorized window treatments offer several singled-out benefits:

Amend protection confronting home break-ins. As the window coverings movement on their own regularly, they give the appearance that someone is home, even when you lot're non. This serves as an constructive deterrent against pause-ins and other vandalism.

Visually cut the string: No complicated pull-cords to operate means a sleeker look overall, plus tin can improve safe for some homes with children or pets.
Passively salve free energy: Fifty-fifty though motorized window treatments utilize a minor amount of electricity to operate, they can save you fifty-fifty more on your electricity nib, and assistance your abode be more environmentally friendly. Past automatically controlling the low-cal streaming into your home, these window treatments contribute to the passive heating and cooling of your home, and effortlessly saving big on free energy.

Professional person Window Handling Installation

Once you've done your research and decided on the right window treatments for you and your home, it's fourth dimension to have them installed them in your home! Hiring a professional tin relieve yous time and hassle.

Window frames are not standardized and must be measured exactly, particularly if yous accept unique or oddly-sized windows. Hiring a professional to consult with and install your window treatments ways the final result volition exist installed quickly and correctly, and fit exactly to your windows and specifications. Window treatments with avant-garde features like motorized opening and closing can be more complicated to install, but an experienced professional can easily handle this blazon of job.

If yous're still on the fence about what type of window treatment to choose, most professionals similar Allure offering design consultations and can help you decide just what type of treatment is best for your room. A consultant is knowledgeable about all the types of window treatments available and can offering communication on everything from style and color to more technical aspects of each handling.

Allure Is Here to Help

free design consultation

Allure Window Treatments serves both homes and businesses in the Philadelphia area. As a total-service window treatment design studio, nosotros offer free in-house consultations, professional installation and the highest quality custom window treatments. We guide you lot through every step of the process.

At Allure, our drapery is custom-made by manus, in house and made to fit your windows — and your manner — perfectly. We besides install motorized systems for drapes, shades, blinds and more. Our experienced technicians tin even integrate them into your existing smart domicile system, or connect to your tablet or smartphone for ease of apply.

For full-service window treatment design and installation, schedule your consultation with Attraction today. Get set to transform your space with stunning new window treatments.