Planning to measure your own blinds or shades? Start with the opening, choose your mounting position and record every measurement. This guide helps you prepare dimensions for ShadeZone to review before an order.
Before you begin
Use a rigid steel tape, a pencil and the worksheet below. Measure each window separately, even if they look identical.
Label each opening by room and position. Write width × height, with units clearly marked. Keep your actual readings; do not round or mix inches and millimetres.
Check handles, locks, tiles, trim and any uneven surfaces. Measure usable recess depth and note anything that could catch the fabric, headrail or bottom rail.
Choose the product before finalising dimensions. Minimum mounting depth, deductions and height rules vary by system.
Photo from ShadeZone’s existing services page.01 / INSIDE THE RECESS
Inside mount
Measure the clear width inside the opening at the top, middle and bottom: W1, W2 and W3. Record all three and identify the smallest.
Measure from the top inside surface to the sill at the left, centre and right: H1, H2 and H3. Record all three heights.
Measure clear recess depth and note handles or obstructions. Check the selected product’s mounting and flush-fit requirements.
Send the raw opening measurements to ShadeZone. Do not subtract a fitting allowance yourself; confirm who applies any manufacturing deduction.
Our original guide uses the smallest width and height. Keep all three height readings for review: the correct ordering height can differ by blind type. ShadeZone will confirm the rule for your chosen product.
02 / BEYOND THE OPENING
Outside mount
Choose the intended headrail position and check that the mounting surface is suitable for the brackets.
Plan the finished coverage past the opening. Our existing guide suggests at least 1 inch of overlap on each side and at the top and bottom as a starting point, where the opening allows.
Measure the full planned width and the drop from the proposed top position to the intended bottom edge. Record these as outside-mount coverage dimensions.
Review trim, sill projections, handles and side gaps. Greater overlap may be needed for privacy or room darkening.
Overall blind width and fabric width are different. Roller, solar, zebra and horizontal sheer systems have hardware that reduces fabric coverage. The exact gap varies; confirm the selected system before ordering.
Inside or outside?
The illustration from our original Blind Measuring Guide. Select it to view the full image.COPY OR PRINT FOR EACH OPENING
Your measuring worksheet
Use your browser’s Print command to print this guide. Fill in one worksheet per window and keep your original readings.
Overlap: Left ______ Right ______ Top ______ Bottom ______
Handles, trim, mounting surface or other notes: __________________________________
Photo checklist: full opening, close-up of recess and handles, side view showing depth.
Double-check every measurement before sending. This worksheet is for planning and review, not an automatic order or a fit guarantee.
A little help before you order.
Bay windows, skylights, angled or arched windows, shutters, drapery and tilt-and-turn windows need product-specific measuring advice. This blind guide is not a screen, shutter or awning ordering guide. Ask us to confirm the measuring method or arrange professional measuring.
