How to Measure for Your New Window Blinds
Measuring for your new blinds couldn't be simpler. It's an easy way to save lots of money and takes just minutes; you'll wish you'd done it sooner! All you have to do is follow our easy, step-by-step guides below.
Standard Windows
Face Fitting
Measuring for an Architrave
This is the measurement you'll need to take if you want to fit the blind to your window's architrave. In this case we will make the blind to your specified size with no deductions.
Tips
Measure the width from the outer edge of the architrave to the opposite edge.
Measure the drop from the top of the architrave to where you want the blind to finish.
Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements.
A Note on Roller Blinds:
When measuring the width, remember that you are measuring for the placement of the brackets, not the fabric width. The fabric on a roller blind will be approximately 30mm smaller than the width you provide and you may get a light gap around the edges.
Measuring for Square Set
This is the measurement you need to take if you want your blind to fit outside the window recess, overlapping on all sides. Measure the size of the recess, then add a little extra on all sides to ensure adequate coverage.
Measure the exact size of the area you would like the blind to overlap. To minimize light leakage we recommend that the blind overlaps the window recess by at least 70mm at the top and 50mm each side.
The overlap at the bottom of the blind is a matter of personal choice but if you are measuring for a blind that will come down to the floor allow 10-20mm of clearance.
Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements.
Top-Tip for All Blinds:
If you are replacing an existing blind with one of the same size, simply measure the blind (including its fittings) and specify face fitting, we will make you one the same size.
Top-Tip for Roller Blinds:
Take into account that you are measuring for the placement of the brackets, not the width of the fabric. On a roller blind, the fabric will be approximately 30mm narrower than the width you order, check that you have allowed enough overlap for the fabric to cover the area adequately.
Recess Fitting
This is the measurement you need to take if you want your blind to fit inside the window recess. Measure the full width and height of the recess (the size of the hole in the wall, if you like) and we will make the appropriate allowances to ensure the blind fits perfectly inside that space.
Measure in 3 places for both the width and the drop, use the smallest measurements.
Top-Tip for Roller Blinds:
When measuring your width, taking the measurement at the top of the window will ensure the best fit for your roller blind.
Remember that the brackets and operating mechanism are included in the width that you order (they all have to fit inside the recess). The result is that the fabric on a roller blind will be approximately 35mm narrower than the width measurement of the recess. This can result in the notable light gap around the edges of the blind in the recess and therefore if you are aiming for the best possible blockout, we recommend face-fitting rather than recess-fitting.
Don't make any deductions, we will do that for you to ensure your blind fits perfectly.
Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements.
Recess Fitting for Rollers and Tool-less Blinds (Click2Fit and Twist2Fit)
Because of how our Roller and Tool-less Blinds are designed, when measuring the width, ensure your measurement is taken at the top of the recess where the blind's parts will be placed.
For Click2Fit and Twist2Fit blinds, it's crucial that the roller or headrail touch both sides of the recess in order to be installed correctly and quickly.
As always, use a metal tape measure to measure the space and be as precise as possible.
Top-Tips for Recess Fitting
Check that your recess is deep enough to fit the blind into, also bearing in mind any obstructions such as handles. The table below gives the depth required for all of our blinds.
Blind Type (Depth Required)
If you have tiles part-way up your recess (often the case in kitchens and bathrooms) then the space between them is most likely to be the narrowest point in the recess.
Measure between the tiles to ensure your blind will fit. You will need to top-fix or face-fix your brackets in this case.
Top-Tip for Roller Blinds:
Again, for roller blinds, it's slightly different. Measure at the top of the recess and between the tiles, then compare those two measurements. If the difference between the two is less than 25mm, use the measurement at the top. If it's more, use the measurement between the tiles.
Measuring for Shutters
We like to keep things simple here at Tuiss Blinds Online and our shutter measuring guide is no exception. Measuring for your own shutters can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, and it's easy - just click on the link to view our handy video, or keep scrolling down for step-by-step instructions.
Ready? Here we go...
How to measure for your Tuiss BlindsOnline Shutters
Check for squareness
First, decide where your shutters are going to sit. This can be inside the recess, or on the walls outside the recess. Either way, measure at the place you plan to fit your shutters.
If you're planning on fitting your shutters inside your recess, you need to check that your recess is pretty much square. All you need to do is measure the recess diagonally from corner to corner on both sides. Then, compare the two measurements.
If the difference is 12mm or less, you're good to go. If they vary by any more than that, then don't worry, you can still face-fix your shutters outside the recess.
Recess fitting
For a recess fitting you need to measure at the front of the recess. Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom.
Next measure the drop on the right, in the centre and on the left. Write down the smallest measurements, these are the sizes you will use to place an order.
Don't worry about making any deductions or allowances for recess fitting, we'll do all the maths for you.
Face Fitting
(for windows with an architrave)
This one is simple, just measure up to the edge of the flat area of the architrave for both the width and the drop.
As always, measure in 3 places for both and use the smallest measurement. Do not add anything to your measurements.
Face Fitting
(for square set windows)
For a face fitting you need to measure at the front of the recess as you would with a front of recess fitting. Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom.
Next measure the drop on the right, in the centre and on the left. Write down the smallest measurements.
Next, add 84mm to the width. This is the measurement you will enter.
Then, if you do not have a protruding windowsill, add 84mm to the drop. This will allow you to fit your frame evenly around all four sides of the recess.
If, however, your windowsill protrudes take the measurement for the drop and add only 42mm. This way the frame will run evenly around 3 sides of your recess and along the top of your windowsill.
Measuring for a mid rail
For taller shutters over 1400mm we put in a stylish midrail to give your shutters some support. The great thing about a midrail is you can customise its height so that it looks best. Usually, people tend to position their midrails at the same height as any transom bars on their window.
There are just a couple of small restrictions when customising your midrail. For structural reasons they must be a minimum of 380mm and a maximum of 1300mm from both the top and bottom of your shutter panel.
To position your midrail, simply measure from the bottom of your recess to the midpoint of where you want it to sit. If this is level with your transom bar, measure from the bottom of the recess to the centre of the bar.
Top-Tip:
See? Measuring for your shutters really is simple. To recap, here are our three golden rules to remember:
Measure both diagonals of your recess and make sure the difference is less than 12mm, if you want to use recess fitting.
Always measure at the place you plan to fit your shutters.
And finally, measure in 3 places across the width and height and take the smallest measurement.
Measuring for Outdoor Face Fit Blinds
This is the measurement you need to take so that your blind will fit outside the window and overlap on all sides. Measure the size of the window, including the external frame, then add a little extra on all sides to ensure adequate coverage.
Add at least 360mm (180mm each side) to the width to ensure that the blind overlaps by enough to allow for the guides to be installed.
The overlap at the bottom of the blind is a matter of personal choice and needs to take into account of any structural limitations (i.e. fascia's). If you have enough space, we recommend adding the same amount to the drop as you add to the width as this will give a balanced appearance when the blind is installed.
Measuring for Outdoor Patio Blinds
This is the measurement you need to take so that your outdoor blind will fit inside the recessed area on your deck or patio.
Measure the full width and height of the recess (the size of the hole if you like) and we will make the appropriate deductions to ensure a perfect fit. Measure in 3 places for both the width and the drop, use the smallest measurements.
Don't make any deductions, we will do that for you to ensure your blind fits perfectly.
Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements.
BiFolding Doors
All of our ClickFIT blinds fit neatly inside the frame of your window or door to effectively cover the visible glass. The little clips slot easily between the frame and the glass for a strong and secure hold on all UPVC double glazed windows, doors and BiFolding doors.
For accurate measurements, make sure you use a metal tape; cloth ones can stretch leaving you with inaccurate readings. Measure accurately to the nearest mm and remember to measure each window or door individually, don't assume that they are all the same size!
ClickFIT Blinds
Simply measure the visible glass area of each window or door from the inside edges of the frame where the glass meets the rubber bead. Remember to use a metal tape measure, as cloth or plastic ones can stretch and give an inaccurate measurement.
Only measure up to the edge of the rubber bead, don't include it in your measurement.
Top-Tip:
Don't forget to measure each window or door individually; don't assume that they're all the same size.
Measure the top, the middle and the bottom of the glass to the nearest mm and note down the shortest measurement.
Then simply repeat this step for the drop, measuring the left, the right and the centre. Again, take a note of the shortest measurement.
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