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If you enjoy working with tools and learning new skills, installing window treatments can be fun. If you've never installed window treatments, you will need to spend time reviewing the instructions and going through a dry run first.
Window fashions have unique installation requirements and need to be considered before ordering. Details including clearances, sill depth affect headrail 'returns' and inside versus outside mount requirements need to be understood and prepared for.
A factory certified experienced installer can install 10 or more horizontal blinds in an hour. A novice may find it take them 2 hours to successfully complete their first blind install not including time to get special tools or parts. Read the instructions thoroughly to insure your install is done right.
Do-It-Yourself classes are available for free at many large home improvement centers; you can ask about these at their information desks. They can also provide installation for you for a fee.
The first step for any window covering project is to measure the window. A sturdy measuring tape of 16' to 30' will take care of most jobs and will cost between $7 and $30. Measurements need to be accurate to 1/8th of an inch.
These are general guidelines and not intended as applicable to all measurement cases. We recommend using professional help in selecting, buying and installing window treatments for best results. Mis-installation can result in damage voiding the product warranty.
When measuring a window for an inside mount, the horizontal dimension should be measured at the top, middle and bottom of each window. Since the widths will typically vary, you want to take the smallest measurement as the number to create treatment from, since that will be where the treatment comes closest to rubbing. Normally manufacturers will subtract 1/8 to 1 inch from this number depending on the product to create the actual treatment width. You will need to determine if the manufacturer automatically accounts for this and what they deduct, if anything, from your measurement.
The vertical measurement can be made in the center of the window and you may want to add as much as 1 inch to insure a blind or shade treatment, for instance completely covers the length. For floating treatments (Silhouette) deduct 1/8" to 1/4" of an inch from the measurement if you do not want the treatment to touch the bottom sill. For draperies, the measurement may be deducted by 1/2 to 1 an inch to insure it doesn't rest on the bottom surface.
When measuring a window for an outside mount, the horizontal dimension should be measure at top, middle and bottom for each window as well. In this case, the widest number will be used and typically 1 to 4 inches can be added to each side for total coverage of the actual window width.
The vertical treatment dimension will typically add 2.5 and 4 inches to the length. This will vary depending on the headrail mount position over the window and the desired vane height from the floor. A vertical provision for the headrail mount position is normally not included in the actual window or door measurement.
Horizontal blinds, honeycomb and pleated shades, vertical blinds, Silhouette shades and woven woods all have different mounting requirements to lay properly and/or completely obscure a window. Don't guess if you don't know; it's a lot less expensive to hire a professional installer to measure than buy an expensive product that doesn't fit properly.
The Hunter Douglas website has additional details on measuring and related installation topics. Their link for repairs and warranty information as well as measuring is the Hunter Douglas icon on our Related Links page.
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