|
 < go back to custom shades
How to Measure for a Shade
Make sure to measure with a metal tape measure. Before you begin to measure, decide whether the shade is mounted inside or outside of your window.
In order to measure for your custom window shade, make sure that you understand the following terms:
A - allowance:
the total extra width that a window treatment covers past the actual window. In other words, the width of the shade minus the width of the window.
B - return:
how much a window treatment projects away from the wall.
Because shades have a pulley system in the back, they are almost exclusively board-mounted. If the sides of the board are covered with fabric, the shade can only be mounted outside of your window. If they are not covered, the shade can either be mounted inside or outside of your window.
Read the Product-Specific F.A.Q.'s for each one of our shades to determine how it can be mounted.
 |
 |
| can only be mounted outside |
can be mounted outside or inside |
Outside-Mounted Shade
First, measure your window from the outermost left edge to the outermost right edge. If your window has a frame, you should measure it as well. Write this measurement down.
Then, consider how much of an allowance you need. Some sleek shades like our Roman shades or slatted shades need a minimal allowance to only cover the window frame, whereas more elaborate shades that use more fabric such as our London shades or balloon shades can have a larger allowance.
The next thing to consider is the board projection. You will need to take two factors into consideration. First, you have to make sure that the board projects farther out than your window frame does. Also, if you install draperies over the shade, you have to make sure that the board projection is small enough for the drapery to fit over the shade.
Inside-Mounted Shade
For this style, it is very important to measure accurately. Measure your window depth, first of all. Make sure that your board depth (projection) is smaller than the actual depth of your window.
Measure your window at several places inside your window. If your measurements are not within 1/4", an inside-mounted shade is probably not for your window. Measure within 1/8" accuracy. To make sure that your shade will fit, subtract about 1/4 to 1/2" from your inside window measurement.
Follow this same procedure for palladium windows, bay windows, or bow windows.
Some Important Notes to Remember:
- Allowances exist on both sides of your window. If you measure that you'd like your custom window treatment to have an extra 2-inch width on each side of your window, the allowance is 4 inches, not 2 inches.
- Oddly shaped windows like bay windows or arched windows can be covered. You just have to look at it in window sections instead of one big window. And remember, an inside-mounted window treatment can fit virtually any window as long as it has enough depth.
- The longer a shade is, the more it becomes a panel and the easier it is for it to lose its shape. For that reason, very few shades cover the entire window. Here are some guidelines:
- Sleek shades like slatted, flat, or Roman shades can cover your window entirely.
- London shades are traditionally installed to cover either half or three fourths of your window.
- Balloon shades without pleats can cover half to two thirds of your window.
- Balloon shades that are interlined or have box pleats can cover half of your window, or they can cover it entirely.
|
|
|
|
