Measuring for blinds is very easy. If you can read a tape measure you can do it. Be sure to use a steel measuring tape for accuracy .It is important to provide accurate measurements as all blinds are custom made to your specifications.

In addition, round your measurements down to the nearest 1/8 inch (1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, 7/8 inch). For example, 5/16 inch rounds down to 1/4 inch; 11/16 inch rounds down to 5/8 inch.

Note: On roller shades the fabric will be approximately 1" narrower (1/2" per side) than the headrail. This allows space for the roller shade to operate properly and is true on all brands of roller shades. You may compensate for this by adding an inch to your width measurement for an outside mount. On all inside mounted roller shades you will have a 1/2" light gap on each side of the shade.


Inside or Recessed Mounted Blinds
This refers to blinds that are mounted inside the opening of a window that is recessed from a wall. This is the most common way to cover windows today and provides a nice, clean look. There is a minimum windowsill depth for blinds mounted inside and there is also minimum windowsill depth for the blind to fit flush with the wall (see the specifications listed under each product).

Measure the width of the window opening in 3 places (top, middle, and bottom). Take the smallest of the 3 measurements (rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch) and write it down. This is the width you will order. Do not make any deductions!The factory will make a small deduction from each side to allow room for the mounting brackets and/or to provide space for operation. Follow the same procedure to obtain the height. Measure the window opening height in 3 places (left, middle, right) only this time take the largest measurement (again rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch). This is the height you will order. The factory will make no deductions or additions to the length measurement.


Outside or Wall Mounted Blinds
Outside mount blinds hang outside the window opening and mount either to a wood trim/frame around the window or to a wall. Outside mounts are ideal for windows with a shallow windowsill depth (less than 1 inch). Measure the width of the window opening from left to right. With horizontal blinds we recommend adding 1 to 3 inches to each side of the window opening (2 to 6 inches overall) for maximum light gap coverage and privacy. With vertical blinds we recommned adding 4" per side (8" overall). Once you determine the desired width (rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch) write it down. This is the width you will order. The factory will make no deductions or additions to your measurements on outside mount blinds.

To determine the height measure the window opening from top to bottom. With horizontal blinds we recommend adding 3 to 6 inches to this measurement to allow space for mounting brackets above the opening and enough overlap at the bottom to avoid a light gap. You must add at least enough space to mount the brackets above the window which are 2 1/2 inches tall on 2 1/2 inch & 2 inch blinds, 1 1/2 inches tall on 1 inch & 1/2 inch blinds, vertical blinds, and roller shades, and 1 inch tall on cellular, pleated, and woven wood shades. Once you determine the desired height (rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch) write it down. This is the length you will order. The factory will make no deductions or additions to your measurement.

**Outside mount tips: If the blind is to be mounted to the trim or frame around the window measure from the trim's outside edge left to right to determine the width to order. You will need to deduct 1/4 inch from this measurement on all horizontal blinds to allow for the brackets which are end-mounted. For the height measure from the trim's outside edge top to bottom and this is the height you will order provided the trim is at least as tall as the mounting bracket. If it is not you must mount the blind above the trim. If the windowsill protrudes outside the window opening at the bottom of the window measure just to the sill. After you finish measuring it's always a good idea to mark your measurements with a piece of tape or a pencil so you can visualize how the blind will look. Remember outside mount blinds are made to the exact measurements you specify. The factory makes no deductions or additions to measurements on outside mount blinds.


Door Mounted Blinds or Shades
Blinds mounted on doors are outside mount, that is, they mount outside the window opening and directly to the door. There are typically two types of windows in doors; windows with trim around the glass and windows without trim
For windows with trim around the glass: Measure from the trim's outside edge left to right to determine the width.

You do not have to add any additional width although you may if desired. Just remember not to order so wide that the blinds interfere with the doorknob or deadbolt lock. Once you determine the desired width (rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch) write it down. This is the width you will order. The factory will make no deductions or additions to measurements on outside mount blinds. For the length, measure from the trim's outside edge from top to bottom. Add 5 inches to your length measurement for 2 inch blinds or 3 inches for 1 inch blinds and cellular shades. This will allow space for mounting brackets above the opening and room at the bottom to mount the hold-down brackets (recommended). The mounting brackets on 2 inch blinds are 2 1/2 inches tall, 1 1/2 inches tall on 1 inch blinds, and 1 inch tall on cellular shades. The hold-down brackets are 1 inch tall on all blinds. Once you determine the desired length (rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch) write it down. This is the length you will order. The factory will make no deductions or additions to your measurement.

For windows without trim around the glass: Measure the width of the window opening. We recommend adding 1 to 4 inches overall for maximum light gap coverage and privacy. Just remember not to order so wide that the blinds interfere with the doorknob or deadbolt lock. Once you determine the desired width (rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch) write it down. This is the width you will order. The factory will make no deductions or additions to measurements on outside mount blinds. To determine the length measure the height of the window opening. Add 5 inches to your height measurement for 2 inch blinds or 3 inches for 1 inch blinds and cellular shades. This will allow space for mounting brackets above the opening and room at the bottom to mount the hold-down brackets (recommended). The mounting brackets are 2 1/2 inches tall on 2 inch blinds, 1 1/2 inches tall on 1 inch blinds, and 1 inch tall on cellular shades. The hold-down brackets are 1 inch tall on all products. Once you determine the desired length (rounded to the nearest 1/8 inch) write it down. This is the length you will order. The factory will make no deductions or additions to your measurement.
**Door tips: Make sure you request hold-down brackets with your blinds. The hold-down brackets secure the blind's bottomrail to the door. If your window has raised trim around the glass make sure you request spacers. Spacers are used with the mounting brackets to provide additional room between the mounting surface and the blind. This will bring the blind out away from the door to avoid hitting the raised trim
 

NOTE: If you want the entire window uncovered when the blind is fully open, you may need to add more than 6" to the width.