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Inside Mounting: This is the most common method of mounting window coverings. Specify inside mount for applications where the headrail of the blinds will be mounted inside of the window frame. Order the exact measurements of the window opening to the nearest 1/8". The fabricator will take the necessary factory deductions to ensure that the blind or shade will fit and operate within the window opening. There is a minimum depth requirement for inside mounting that varies by product. Check the specifications for the product you are ordering. Outside Mounting: This application is most commonly used for blinds and shades covering doors, casement windows, and windows with little or no mounting depth. Specify outside mount for applications where the headrail of the blind will be mounted above or outside of the window frame. Order the measurements that you would like the blind or shade to cover, for both width and height to the nearest 1/8". The fabricator will not make any deductions from the ordered dimensions for most products except solar and roller shades. Please review the product specifications prior to ordering. |
After viewing this information, if you are still uncertain if you are measuring and ordering correctly, please contact us by either emailing us by clicking here or calling us at (888) 214-4144
Measuring Worksheet (pdf) - keep all your measurements on one, easy to use worksheet

Information provided courtesy of Levolor Home Fashions, Inc. © Copyright 1996-98 Levolor Home Fashions, Inc.
Rather than ordering multiple blinds on one headrail, we recommend ordering individual blinds and mounting them side by side. Specify a common valance to cover the entire top of the window opening. By ordering blinds individually rather than as multiple blinds on one headrail, if you ever need to remove one blind for repair, the entire set will not need to be sent back to the fabricator, saving postage, the hassle of finding a box that will fit the entire set and the heroics necessary for you to take the entire set of blinds down (without bending the headrail in the process). Additionally, ordering separate blinds is usually less expensive than ordering them as multiple blinds on one headrail. Mounting separate blinds is much easier when installing them in Corner windows too.
> Go to Cellular ShadesTo find length: Measure exact distance from inside surface at top
of window to sill. If you prefer blind not to
touch sill, deduct
1/4". If there is no sill, measure length to point where shade
is to reach.
IMPORTANT: Deduct 1/8" (3/8" for Comfortex Shangri-La shades) from the shade height for best results.
IMPORTANT: This measurement should overlap each side of the window
frame by at least 1-1/2".
To find length: Measure exact distance from where top of shade
(the headrail that is) will
be located to top of
sill. If there is no sill or if shade is to
overlap window frame, measure to point blind is to reach.
IMPORTANT: Measure the exact distance form where the top of the
shade will be located to the top of the sill
or to the point that
the shade is to reach. Note: The shade should not touch the window
sill. Deduct 1/8" for best results. Allow 2-7/8" overlap
above the window opening to accommodate the headrail for shade lengths
less than 72". Otherwise, allow 3-1/2" overlap above the
window opening
To find length: Measure from the inside top of the opening on the left, at the center, and on the right to the sill; round the measurement down to the nearest 1/8" and note the smallest dimension. Do not make any allowances: the factory will make all adjustments so the headrail will fit the opening properly and the vanes will clear the sill by 1/4" to 1/2". NOTE: The ordered height is the measurement from where you want the top of the head rail to be located in the window opening, to the floor.
To find length: Measure the length of the area to be covered
(including the headrail height) and
round down to the nearest 1/8". Blind should extend at least
3" above opening or window molding. For ceiling-to-floor installations,
deduct 1/2" for proper clearance. Specifying "Outside mount"
when ordering means the factory
takes no deductions or allowances.
To ensure easy access through the door and allow adequate overlap, consider the stack width. For questions concerning the calculation of stack width, contact us.
Information provided courtesy of Levolor Home Fashions, Inc. © Copyright 1996-98 Levolor Home Fashions, Inc.
To find length: Measure exact distance from inside surface at top
of window to sill. If you prefer blind not to
touch sill, deduct
1/4". If there is no sill, measure length to point where shade
is to reach.
To find length: Measure exact distance from where top of shade
(the headrail that is) will be located to top
of sill. If there is no sill or if shade
is to overlap window frame, measure to point blind is to reach.
NOTE: We recommend the top down bottom up feature on doors so that you do not have to release the blind from the hold downs every time you want to raise the shade.
Page provided courtesy of Levolor Home Fashions, Inc. © Copyright 1996-98 Levolor Home Fashions, Inc.
> Go to Cellular Shades
Width: Measure width of glass from one side to the other; I recommend adding 2" to each side or a total of 4" to the overall width to maximize your privacy and minimize light gaps.
Height: Measure height of glass from top to bottom; I recommend adding 2" to the top and 2" to the bottom to allow room to mount head rail 2" above the glass and attach hold downs (to avoid having the blind swing away from the door when opening and closing it) 2" below the glass for a beautifully symmetrical, professional look.
Make your life easy: To minimize the need to bend down and release the blind from the hold downs when raising and lowering your blind, I recommend ordering a cellular shade with the top down/bottom up feature. With this function, just lower the top of your blind for a view of the outdoors.
If you choose to order a standard shade for your door, I recommend requesting the cord lift be positioned on the side that your hinges are located so the strings do not get caught in the door.
If you have trim around the glass on your door, I recommend requesting FREE 1/2" spacer blocks. Mount the head rail into these to bring it out 1/2" so the fabric does not rub against the trim when being raised and lowered. This will protect your shade from unnecessary wear and tear.
Order your shade as an outside mount
> Go to Cellular Shades
> Go to Pleated Shades
The wider and taller you specify your product, the better your privacy, insulation, and light control. We recommend 2" at the top for the mounting brackets and 2" at the bottom for the optional hold-down brackets (so your shade does not come away from the door during door opening and closing). We recommend adding a total of 4" to the length of the door glass opening measurement.
For the width, add at least an inch or two on both sides of the glass. Bring the shade as close to the door handle as possible.
If ordering cellular shades: We recommend the top down bottom up feature so that you do not have to release the blind from the hold downs at the bottom every time you want to raise the shade.
If you have a lever handle on your door: For cellular, pleated and roller shades the blind will usually slip between the handle and the door.
For wood and other horizontal blinds, we recommend changing the door handle to a non-lever variety to avoid damage to the blind.
If your doors have molding around the glass: Be sure to specify spacer blocks for mounting when ordering. The spacers go between the door and the headrail of the blind to avoid unnecessary rubbing on the blind by the molding.
> Go to Cellular Shades
Width: If inside mounting - Measure width of opening from one side to the other and specify this width when you order.
If outside mounting - Measure width of opening from one side to the other; I recommend adding 2" to each side or a total of 4" to the overall width to maximize your privacy and minimize light gaps.
Height: If inside mounting - Measure height of opening from top to bottom and specify this height when you order.
If outside mounting - Measure height of opening from top to bottom and add 2" to the top to allow room to mount head rail 2" above the opening.
Order either two separate shades to accommodate the 2 separate doors, or order as 2 blinds on one head rail. The 2 on 1 headrail option will cost you a bit more since there is a small upcharge for having this done, but for your situation it may be best.
> Go to Cellular Shades
> Go to Pleated Shades
The wider and taller you specify your product, the better your privacy, insulation, and light control. We recommend 2" at the top for the mounting brackets and 2" at the bottom for the optional hold-down brackets (so your shade does not come away from the door during door opening and closing). We recommend adding a total of 4" to the length of the door glass opening measurement.
For the width, add at least an inch or two on both sides of the glass. Bring the shade as close to the door handle as possible.
If ordering cellular shades: We recommend the top down bottom up feature so that you do not have to release the blind from the hold downs at the bottom every time you want to raise the shade.
If you have a lever handle on your door: For cellular, pleated and roller shades the blind will usually slip between the handle and the door.
For wood and other horizontal blinds, we recommend changing the door handle to a non-lever variety to avoid damage to the blind.
If your doors have molding around the glass: Be sure to specify spacer blocks for mounting when ordering. The spacers go between the door and the headrail of the blind to avoid unnecessary rubbing on the blind by the molding.
> Go to Cellular Shades
I recommend requesting both sets of control cords (lift cords & tilt cords) on the same side, positioned on the side that your hinges are located so the strings do not get caught in the door.
Door Handles: If you have a door handle that is other than a post style that will interfere with the slats, I recommend either: changing it out to a post style or ordering wood blinds that have 1" or 1 3/8" wide slats.
Order your blind as an outside mount.
> Go to Wood Blinds
> Go to Faux Wood Blinds
The wider and taller you specify your product, the better your privacy, insulation, and light control. We recommend 2" at the top for the mounting brackets and 2" at the bottom for the optional hold-down brackets (so your shade does not come away from the door during door opening and closing). We recommend adding a total of 4" to the length of the door glass opening measurement.
For the width, add at least an inch or two on both sides of the glass. Bring the shade as close to the door handle as possible.
If you have a lever handle on your door: For wood and other horizontal blinds, we recommend changing the door handle to a non-lever variety to avoid damage to the blind.
If your doors have molding around the glass: Be sure to specify spacer blocks for mounting when ordering. The spacers go between the door and the headrail of the blind to avoid unnecessary rubbing on the blind by the molding
> Go to Wood BlindsWindow with Crank: Measure as you would for a standard blind.
We recommend purchasing a replacement for the window crank at your local hardware. Replacements that resemble large wing-nuts allow you to operate your window while avoiding the bulge that a traditional crank produces.
Windows without a top (arched/angled top): No special measuring is required.
For wood and similar horizontal blinds: the standard bracket has holes that allow you to mount where needed on either the wall or from the ceiling.
For cellular and similar shades: request L-brackets when ordering. This will enable you to mount the blind to the window framing with the brackets the fabricator provides.
Wide windows: For a window with width requiring more than one blind to cover, we recommend ordering the number of blinds equaling the number of windows side by side. For example, if your window opening is 106" wide, typically the builder places 3 windows side by side in that opening. Order 3 blinds. If your window opening is 96" wide, typically the builder placed 2 windows side by side in that opening. Order 2 blinds.
Rather than ordering multiple blinds on one headrail, we recommend ordering individual blinds and mounting them side by side. Specify a common valance to cover the entire top of the window opening. By ordering blinds individually rather than as multiple blinds on one headrail, if you ever need to remove one blind for repair, the entire set will not need to be sent back to the fabricator, saving postage, the hassle of finding a box that will fit the entire set and the heroics necessary for you to take the entire set of blinds down (without bending the headrail in the process). Additionally, ordering separate blinds is usually less expensive than ordering them as multiple blinds on one headrail. Mounting separate blinds is much easier when installing them in Corner windows too.
Corner Windows: When two outside mount verticals meet in a corner, or when other inside mount products meet in a corner where there is only glass (no sheetrock), there can be a privacy problem. That's due to a gap where the products "meet". In order to minimize the problem, consider making one product bypass the other, then specify the other product to butt into the first.
Butt and Bypass Shades
When two shades butt against each other at a corner, as shown in the overhead views below, one shade is the "butt" shade and the other is the "bypass" shade. Measure for each shade separately using the procedures described for a standard shade, and then subtract headrail depth from the butt shade to obtain the proper ordering width. With outside mounts, remember to allow for overlap on the sides and at the bottom.


Corner Windows when not using Butt and Bypass
Some window fashions such as Stardust cannot use the Butt and Bypass. They are then measured to meet in
the corner.
Virtually any type of blind can be mounted in a bay window setting. Follow the simple steps outlined below for a perfect fit.
With bay windows, locations of the window treatment and the ordered width are marked and measured as illustrated below.

With skylight shades, the procedures for outside mounts are almost the same as for standard rectangular shades.
With inside-mounted shades:
Round your inside mount measurements up to the nearest 1/8", not down as with other inside mounts. The factory deductions take into account the application of compressible foam tape (rail seal) to the outside of the rails (not included).
For fully recessed inside mounts, a 2" minimum mounting depth of the window opening is required. Non-flush mounted inside mounts are not recommended; but, if necessary, a shade may protrude up to 1/4". Note that mounting depths must take into account any obstacles to shade movement, such as window cranks or handles.
Outside mounts require only a 1/4" flat surface for bracket attachment.
In addition to shade measurements, the angle of the window should also be noted on the order.


Two Shades in One (also called DuoLite or Day/Night Shades) is available to optimize light control with cellular or pleated shades. Sheer or light-filtering fabric can be used during the daytime and room-darkening fabric can be used at night to afford you the maximum in light control for your room. Two fabrics are used: one between the top rail and the center rail and one between the center rail and bottom rail. Each panel has its own set of lift cords so either fabric panel, or portion of a fabric panel, may be used to cover a window. Both fabrics can also be totally raised so that nothing is covering the window.
To price this option, simply select the two fabrics you would like to include in the blind, price each individually for the window opening size and add the two prices together to arrive at the total price.
To order this option, add both shades into your shopping cart using the same width x height measurements for both (see measuring for cellular shades). In the special remarks section of the first item type “Item #? and Item #? are Two in One Shades. This is the top blind.” For the next shade to be included, type in the special remarks, “Item #? And Item#? are Two in One Shades. This is the bottom blind.”
Details about these shades to keep in mind when ordering:
Some manufacturers require that one shade be used as the top shade and one be used for the bottom shade.
Hunter Douglas, Comfortex, YourBlinds – Either shade can be in either position.
Bali and Graber – Heavier fabric must be on top. Cellular shades weigh more than pleated shades. From heaviest to lightest: Opaque (room darkening, blackout, midnight), Semi-Opaque (light filtering), Semi-Sheer, Sheer.
Any two cellular shades OR pleated shades, can be combined as long they are both made by the same manufacturer.
Comfortex is the only manufacturer that will allow combining a cellular shade and a pleated shade in the same shade.
For a consistent look, use the same pleat size for both shades.
These shades are not available with any other options such as Light Filtering/Room Darkening Liners or Continuous CordLoop. They operate as a Top Down/ Bottom Shade. The only features you can add on are Cordless or UltraGlide. If you would like Cordless or UltraGlide functionality for your shade, price and order both shades with the cordless or UltraGlide option.
> Go to Cellular Shades