Blinds measuring guide

Follow this method to measure your windows for all our blinds – rollers, venetians, verticals and honeycombs blinds.

You will need:

  • A metal tape measure that reads in millimetres (mm) and is long enough to reach across your entire window
  • Our measuring sheet
  • Pencil or pen

Things to consider

  • Fit your blind inside the window frame for a clean look. However, this fit requires a window recess deep enough and gaps around the blind for free movement. Not recommended for small windows as the blind blocks light
  • Fit your blind to the outside of the window frame (if it juts out) or to the wall just above the window frame for reduced light gaps. This is best for blocking light and insulation (especially when it’s a back roll roller blind). Both inside and outside fitting blinds will have small gaps at the sides and sometimes at the top and bottom of the window. Consider using Honeycombs blinds for the smallest gaps possible

Tip: Make sure nothing is in the way of where the blind will hang so you can open and close them fully.

Measuring for controls

Standing at your window, work out which side will be the most convenient to operate the blind from and what the most convenient cord length would be. For example, if the window is high up, a longer cord will hang lower and be easier to reach; for full length windows that go to the floor, a shorter cord might be suitable and out of reach of children. A general rule of thumb is to make the cord length 75% of the drop of your blind.

  • Venetians blinds operate with either a cord to lower and raise and a wand to tilt the slats; or a series of cords to do both
  • Roller blinds operate with a chain to raise and lower
  • Vertical blinds operate with either a cord and wand or a cord and chain
  • Honeycombs operate with either a cord, a chain, or a cordless system. PLEASE NOTE: Only choose cordless for windows where you can reach the blind’s bottom rail in both the raised and lowered position

Illustrated steps

Blind Measuring Guides WEB Inside Fit 2

Inside fit

How to measure

Please provide measurements for window sizes only. We will make the necessary allowances for the brackets and chain/cord mechanisms

Depth

This measurement is simply to ensure your blind will fit within the window recess. Measure inside the frame from the front to the first obstruction, eg. glass, latch, handle or mullion. Here’s a guide of how much clearance is needed:

Blind Measuring Guides WEB Inside Fit 1

Width (a)

Take three measurements horizontally across the window at the top and bottom and in the middle. Measure inside the frame, and from frame to frame, not just the panes of glass. Record the smallest measurement as your width.

Drop (b)

Take three measurements vertically down the left and right sides of the window and in the middle. Measure inside the frame, and from frame to frame, not just the panes of glass. Record the smallest measurement as your drop.

Blind Measuring Guides WEB Outside Fit 1

Outside fit

Width (a)

For venetians, and honeycombs, fix onto the architrave or the reveal of the window frame, at the top of your window. Measure from the outer edge of the frame on one side to the outer edge on the other, and record this as your width.

For verticals and roller blinds, fix your blinds to the wall above your window for greater coverage when down. Measure the width of your window from the outside of the frame on one side to the outside on the other and add 50mm each side for rollers, and 100mm on each side for verticals.

Blind Measuring Guides WEB Outside Fit 2

Drop (b)

Now take three measurements vertically down the left and right sides of the window and in the middle. Measure from the top of the outer edge of the window frame down to the sill, bottom of the window frame or lower if you wish and there is nothing obstructing the blind below. Record the smallest measurement as your drop.

Tip: If fixing the blind above a window frame that is not flush with the wall, you may need to pack out the bracket enough to allow the blind to clear the window reveal when installed.