An easy guide to window measurements for the ultimate window treatment.

Window treatments, such as plantation shutters and roman shades, not only provide an instant room makeover, they have many practical advantages too. Once you’ve made your mind up as to exactly what suits your property and individual style, the next step is to take accurate window measurements.

While these do need to be precise, in many cases it isn’t that complicated as long as you follow a few simple rules.

When measuring the mount of a window there are two separate considerations. These are dependent upon whether the window dressing sits inside the window or whether it will cover the mount as well. Such measurements are referred to as the inside mount and outside mount.

Inside mount

First measure the width inside the window opening at the top, middle, and bottom. The narrowest of the three will be your measurement. Round this down to the nearest 1/8”. Next, measure the height from the top of the window to the sill. Once again, do this in 3 places—the left, center, and right. The longest of them is the one to record. Deduct ¼” if you want the blind to rest on the sill.

For windows without a sill measure to where you want the blind to reach. Lastly, measure the diagonals of the window. If they differ dramatically it’s advisable to go for an outside mount instead. This will ensure that the window is completely covered by the blind or window shutters.

Outside mount

Take both a width and height measurement. These should be taken from the outermost point of the area you want the blind to cover. The height should be measured down to the windowsill. For windows without one, measure to where you want the blind to reach. It’s recommended that the blind should be a minimum of 3” wider than the window opening. The blind should also extend above the top by a minimum of 1 ½”. However, some styles require an area for mounting hardware greater than this. If fitting yourself then refer to the product details. If using a window specialist then follow their guidelines.

Careful measurements are necessary to ensure that the finished look is exactly as you envisage. Generally, it can be a money-saving exercise to measure up yourself. However, this is only true if you’re 100% sure that the dimensions provided to the supplier are correct.

Not only does this remove the worry of inaccurate measurements, but also avails you of the expertise of their designers in choosing the very best option to suit your house and style. Whether you’re installing roman shades, draperies, solar shades, plantation shutters, or anything else, nothing beats the peace of mind brought about by knowing that a master craftsman will create the perfect result.

If you would like a hand deciding, that is what the consultation is for. A designer comes out, looks at the actual room, and brings the fabrics that suit it. Book a free in-home consultation, or see the gallery.