How to measure windows for blinds: recess or outside fit

Every blind we sell is made for one particular window. That is what makes it look neat, and it is also why measuring matters so much. A blind that is half an inch too wide will not go into the window, and one that is too narrow leaves gaps of light down both sides. Made-to-measure blinds cannot be returned, so a few careful minutes with a tape now save a lot of trouble later.

First decide: recess fit or outside fit

Before you measure anything, decide where the blind will sit.

Recess fit (inside the window)

The blind sits inside the opening in the wall, the recess, and the brackets fix to the top of it. It looks clean and built-in and leaves the wall around the window free. It works when the recess is deep enough for the blind and there is nothing in the way, such as window handles or locks that stick out.

Outside fit (on the wall)

The blind is fixed on the wall above the window and overlaps the opening on each side. It is the better choice when the recess is shallow, when handles stick out, when the window has no recess at all, or when you want to block more light, for example in a bedroom.

The golden rule: measure the recess, not the glass

The single most common mistake is measuring the glass. The glass is smaller than the opening it sits in, so a blind made to the glass size is too small for a recess fit and far too small for an outside fit. Always measure the brick or plaster opening for a recess fit, or the area of wall you want covered for an outside fit.

How to measure for a recess fit

• Use a steel tape, not a cloth tailor's tape, which stretches.
• Measure the width in three places: at the top, the middle and the bottom of the recess. Walls are rarely perfectly straight. Write down all three and use the smallest, so the blind fits at its tightest point.
• Measure the height in three places: on the left, in the middle and on the right, from the top of the recess to the sill. Again, use the smallest.
• Check the depth. Measure how deep the recess is and look for anything that sticks out, such as handles, locks or a window frame edge.
• Do not take anything off yourself. Send the exact sizes and tell us it is a recess fit. We confirm the final making size with you before the blind is made.

How to measure for an outside fit

• Measure the width of the opening, then decide how much overlap you want on each side. A few inches either side helps block light around the edges.
• Measure the height from where the brackets will go, a little above the opening, down to where you want the blind to finish, on the sill or below it.
• Check the space around the window. Is there room above for the brackets? Will a light switch, curtain rail, AC unit or cupboard get in the way?
• Tell us the final size you want the blind to be, and say clearly that it is an outside fit.

Mistakes we see most often

• Measuring the glass instead of the recess or wall.
• Measuring only once, in the middle, when the recess is narrower at the top.
• Mixing up width and height. Always write width first, then height.
• Assuming that windows which look the same are the same size. Measure every window separately and number them, for example bedroom 1, window A.
• Forgetting handles and locks, which stop a recess blind from hanging straight.
• Rounding numbers. Write sizes to the nearest eighth of an inch or the nearest millimetre.

Which blind for which fit

Roller blinds and zebra blinds look very neat in a recess. Blackout rollers are often best as an outside fit in bedrooms, because the overlap blocks light around the edges. Vertical blinds suit wide glass doors and are usually fitted outside or to the ceiling. If you are unsure, send us a photo of the window and we will suggest the right fit. See the full range of window blinds.

Who is responsible for the measurements

This is worth being clear about. If you measure your windows yourself, the sizes you send us are your responsibility, and we make the blind exactly to them. If our team measures, any measuring mistake is ours to fix. Because every blind is made for your window, blinds cannot be returned once made. We always confirm the sizes and design with you before we start.

Prefer us to measure?

Many customers, especially with several windows or unusual shapes, would rather not take the risk. You can book a home visit and our team will measure every window, check the depth and fittings, and show you samples. There is a small visit fee, and it is adjusted in your bill if you order. We cover Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Khud naap rahe hain? Shisha nahi, deewar ka khaana naapein, aur teen jagah se chaurai le kar sab se chhoti likhein.

Send your sizes and window photos on WhatsApp to +92 334 5709400, or call +92 333 0103766. Our shop is at Al Hafeez Plaza, opposite DHA Phase 2, Islamabad.