Blinds and shutters can be excellent additions to living spaces.
Outdoor blinds let you enjoy your patio or veranda more by keeping out the summer bugs, blocking out the sun when it’s too bright out, or stopping the wind and rain during inclement weather. Roller shutters provide maximum security, privacy and noise and light control. Meanwhile, plantation shutters enhance the aesthetic of interiors while providing insulation, shade and privacy.
If you know how to measure for blinds and shutters, you can supply us with your exact window measurements so we can make you blinds and shutters according to your provided specifications.
But in case you need some advice on how to do that, this post is for you. In this guide, we will teach you how to measure window blinds and shutters correctly, so you can place your order with us, confident in the assurance that the dimensions you’re providing are correct.
We do have an easier alternative: Book an onsite consultation with us, and you won’t need to know how to measure blinds. Our specialists will visit your home, inspect your windows, and come back to install blinds and shutters that have been precisely measured to and custom-made for your space. Whatever blinds and shutters you obtain this way will work exactly as they should and the way you envisioned them.
This article provides step-by-step guidance on how to measure window blinds and shutters. It will cover the following specific topics.
General Guidelines for Measuring for Blinds and Shutters
You need the right equipment and correct technique when measuring for blinds and shutters. Before proceeding, heed the following guidelines.
Prepare the following equipment:
1. Steel Tape Measure
You need a steel tape measure, the type engineers and builders use. Do not use sewing tape measure or tailor’s tape, which are both made of cloth or plastic. Steel measuring tapes, while flexible, won’t stretch or pull. The stretching and pulling of fabric or plastic measuring tapes can lead to inaccurate measurements. Remember, precision is crucial when measuring for blinds and shutters.
2. Spirit Level
A spirit level will ensure you’re measuring widths on a perfectly horizontal line with your tape measure.
3. Pen and Paper
You need a pen and a small notebook to record your measurements. You may also use your phone, if you want, or anything you have on hand that can record your measurements.
4. Step Ladder
You need a stepladder so you can measure the full height of your windows and measure the width at the top.
While not strictly equipment, you need one other person to help you measure your windows, especially if your windows are particularly large – that is, wider than you can reach with both arms extended and raised out to the side and taller than you can measure alone.
Remember to follow these guidelines:
After each product measure conclusion, we emphasise the critical nature of precision. “It can pose a significant challenge when self-measuring, given the unique functionality and construction of each item. That’s why we extend a complimentary on-site consultation to evaluate project feasibility and furnish a precise quote promptly. Our aim is to offer a hassle-free solution, alleviating your concerns as our representatives handle everything from quotation to installation.” This ensures a seamless experience, free of worries, for our valued customers.
Now that we’re done with the crucial guidelines, let’s get down to the main part: how to measure roller blinds. First, you must decide if you will mount your blinds inside or outside the window frame.
You have two choices when mounting roller blinds: inside-mounted or outside-mounted.
Inside-mounted or recess-fit blinds sit on the recess of the window. They are installed on the inner area of the window, known as the window recess or window reveal. This is the area immediately around the windowpanes and framed by the decorative moulding that goes around the window (i.e., the window frame or architrave) or the window opening or edges (if the window is frameless).
Meanwhile, outside-mounted or face-fit blinds are installed on the face of the window. On outside-mounted blinds, the sides of the blinds extend past the window frames or edges.
The way you will measure your windows for blinds depends on whether you’re measuring for recess or face fit.
If you’ve decided on a recess fit, follow these steps:
1. Check the width of the window.
Measure inside the window frame from the left to the right in three places: top, middle and bottom. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If you get different top, middle and bottom values, keep the smallest figure.
2. Check the height of the window.
Measure inside the widow frame from the top to the bottom in three places: left, centre and right. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If the left, centre and right values differ, keep the smallest figure.
3. Check window depth.
Gauge the depth of the window reveal by measuring the distance between the window surface and the wall surface. Log the window depth.
Note that your window must be at least 30 mm deep for recess-fit blinds. Your blinds installer will tell you exactly how much depth you need.
If the window is too shallow, the roller tube at the head of the blinds assembly will protrude from the window recess. Moreover, if the blinds don’t fit right, they may not roll up and down smoothly.
If you’ve decided on a face fit, follow these steps:
1. Gauge window width.
Measure from the outer edge of the left frame to the outer edge of the right frame. Do this in three places: top, middle and bottom. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If the top, middle and bottom values vary, keep the largest figure.
2. Gauge window height.
Measure from the upper edge of the head frame to around 100-200 mm below the window sill (or to wherever you want the blinds to end). Do this across three places: left, centre and right. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If the left, centre and right values vary, keep the largest figure.
Now you know how to measure your window for blinds. Before proceeding, however, here are some final reminders:
Remember the equipment and technique guidelines mentioned at the beginning of this post. You’ll need to keep those in mind when you measure your windows for shutters.
Now, we’ll talk about the steps for measuring your windows for roller and plantation shutters. Note that in either case, you need to decide whether your shutters will sit inside the window recess (inside-mounted) or on the face of the window (outside-mounted).
Follow these steps when measuring your windows for roller shutters.
Inside-mounted shutters (also known as recess-fit and in-reveal shutters) look more subtle. The architrave or the window edges look like they are framing the shutters, too.
However, exact measurements are crucial when inside mounting roller shutters. If you’re off by just a few millimetres and you have an imperfect fit, there can be light seepage. In the worst case, your roller shutters will bulge out or not roll down at all.
Recess-fit roller shutters can hinder the operation of outward-opening windows. Thus, they may be a better option if windows open into the house. Recess-fit roller shutters require 70 mm or more of recess space. There is no place for recess-fit roller shutters if your windows are flush or nearly flush with the surface of the exterior wall.
If you’ve decided on an inside mount for your roller shutters, follow these steps:
1. Measure the width of the window.
Get the distance between the inner edge of the left frame and the inner edge of the right frame. Check the width in three places: near the top jamb, at the middle and near the bottom jamb. Measure multiple times and log the value each time. If the top, middle and bottom values disagree, keep the smallest figure.
2. Measure the height of the window.
Get the distance between the inner edge of the head frame to the inner edge of the bottom frame. Take height measurements in three places: near the left jamb, at the centre and near the right jamb. Measure multiple times and log the value each time. If the left, centre and right height measurements vary, keep the smallest figure.
3. Measure window depth.
Get the distance from the window pane (i.e., window surface) to the wall surface. You need at least 70 mm of depth. Note that the longer the shutter drop, the bigger (and thus, thicker) the roller shutter head box will be and the deeper the window must be.
Outside-mounted roller shutters provide the best light control. They sit on the surface of the whole window structure, beginning above the head frame and falling below the bottom frame and extending past the side frames. This configuration also makes outside-mounted windows the better option for irregularly shaped windows.
However, face-fit roller shutters are not as subtle as recess-fit shutters. The roller shutter head box sits above and on top of the shutters, so no one can miss it. The whole assembly, including the guide rails, all sit on top of the window. Furthermore, even when the shutter is completely open, the bottom bar won’t retract into the headbox, so it will remain visible.
If you’ve decided on outside-mounted roller shutters, follow these steps:
1. Measure the width of the window.
Measure the distance between the outer edge of the left frame and the outer edge of the right frame in three places: top, middle and bottom. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If the top, middle and bottom values are different, keep the largest figure.
2. Measure the height of the window.
Measure the distance between the upper edge of the top frame and the bottom edge of the bottom frame or lower (wherever you want your roller shutter to fall) in three places: left, centre and right. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If the left, centre and right values differ, keep the largest figure.
Remember the following when measuring windows for roller shutters:
Follow these steps when measuring your windows for plantation shutters.
Inside-mounted plantation shutters are an excellent choice for windows with fancy frames, since they will not obstruct your view of the architraves. However, inside-mounted plantation shutters work best with windows that have straight inner edges. Otherwise, there can be unsightly gaps between the plantation shutter and the window frame.
Inside-mounted plantation shutters require significant window depth. Otherwise, your shutter slats will not open fully.
If you’ve decided on a recess fit, follow these steps:
1. Check the width of the window.
Measure left-to-right inside the window frame in three places: top, middle and bottom. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If your top, middle and bottom values differ, keep the smallest figure.
2. Check the height of the window.
Measure top-to-bottom inside the window frame in three places: left, centre and right. Check multiple times and log the value each time. If your left, centre and right values are different, keep the smallest figure.
3. Check window depth.
Measure the distance between the window surface (i.e. the window pane) and the wall surface. Log the window depth.
L-frame plantation shutters need at least 70 mm of recess space. Z-frame plantation shutters need at least 60 mm of depth. Your plantation shutter installer can tell you how much window depth you need exactly; it varies according to shutter type.
Face-fit shutters are more forgiving than recess-fit plantation shutters. They hide window shape imperfections and can provide excellent light control.
Outside-mounted plantation shutters are the better option when you have shallow windows. They look great and can blend seamlessly with your decor because the plantation shutters have their own frame, ensuring a unified look throughout.
Face-fit plantation shutters work great. There are no obstructions, so the slats can open and close fully without any issues.
That said, outside-mounted plantation shutters are not ideal when you have fancy-looking window frames that the plantation shutters will obstruct and hide. Additionally, they may not work if you have limited space around your windows.
If you’ve decided on a face fit, follow these steps:
1. Get the width.
Measure from the outer edge of the left frame to the outer edge of the right frame in three places: top, middle and bottom. Measure multiple times and log the value each time. If the top, middle and bottom values vary, keep the largest figure.
2. Gauge window height.
Measure from the upper edge of the head frame to the bottom edge of the bottom frame in three places: the left side, centre and right side. Measure multiple times and log the value each time. If the left, centre and right values are different, keep the largest figure.
Remember the following when measuring windows for plantation shutters:
Outdoor blinds, roller shutters and plantation shutters are the perfect marriage of form and function. They can enhance your living spaces, ensure privacy, and provide insulation and light control.
That said, precision is crucial when measuring for blinds and shutters. Even if you know how to measure for blinds and shutters, any small mistake can mean measurement errors. These can lead to unsightly gaps and bulges and, worse, non-functional or inoperable blinds and shutters.
This is why we recommend letting our specialists measure your windows for you. Book a consultation with us, and we’ll take care of everything, from measurement to installation, so you can be sure you will get blinds and shutters that look and work perfectly.
To measure for blinds accurately, you’ll need a steel measuring tape, pencil, paper, and a step ladder if your windows are out of reach. These tools ensure precision in your measurements, crucial for a perfect fit.
Start by measuring the width of the window from the inside of the frame at the top, middle, and bottom. Take the smallest measurement to ensure the blinds fit perfectly. Then, measure the height from the top of the frame to the window sill at the left, middle, and right side. Again, use the smallest measurement. Remember to account for any obstructions such as handles or locks. But for hassle free, we suggest to opt for our free onsite consultation, so you don’t have to worry.
For inside mount blinds, measure the width of the window frame at the top, middle, and bottom. Record the smallest measurement to ensure a proper fit. Then, measure the height from the top of the frame to the window sill at the left, middle, and right side. Again, use the smallest measurement. Don’t forget to deduct any obstructions like window cranks or handles.
If your windows are not perfectly square or rectangular, take measurements at the widest points horizontally and vertically. For irregular shapes, it’s best to consult wprofessional to ensure accurate measurements and a perfect fit.
In most cases, you’ll need a ladder to measure windows accurately, especially if they’re tall or situated high above the ground. However, for standard-sized windows within reach, you may be able to measure from the ground using an extended measuring tape and someone’s assistance to hold it steady.
Avoid measuring just once. Always double-check your measurements for accuracy. Also, don’t forget to account for any obstructions like window handles or locks that might affect the fit. Lastly, ensure the measuring tape is level and not sagging to get precise measurements.
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