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Important: Following these instructions is not a guaranty of product fit. For best results, we recommend having a professional installer measure all windows for window treatments.
Measuring your windows for blinds is second only to installation in importance. Understanding the terms and manufacturers expectations with regard to the measurement is critical to getting it right on your initial order. No one wants to pay for a product twice or have to live with a product that does not fit correctly.
First, the important terms:
IB or IM: Inside Mount. The window sill and frame are large enough to allow the blind to be mounted 'inside' of the frame and/or sill. 2 inches or more of sill depth with clearance from window locks and handles is good.
OB or OM: Outside Mount: The blind will be mounted on the wall, outside of a frame or sill if even they exist.
Sill depth: how deep does a window sill need to be for IB/IM mounted blinds? Generally 2 inches from the glass, frames and handles is good for an inside mount. A 'flush' mount will need 2 1/2" and the minimum depth for a 2" blind is 1 3/8" of sill depth, which will allow the bottom rail of the 2" blind to sit inside the sill if the headrail is mounted to the same 1 3/8" depth at the top.
Width and Height: Width is the horizontal measurement and Height is the vertical measurement.
Measuring for an Inside Mount (IB/IM):
Horizontal-- at the top of the window opening, measure the width with a sturdy measuring tape. Any slack can translate into a blind that is too large for the window. Measure again at the middle and bottom. If the middle or bottom measurement is more than 1/2" less/smaller than the top, use that value for the horizontal measurement otherwise use the top measurement.
Vertical-- measure the left, center and right. Take the largest value for the vertical measurement.
Measuring for an Outside Mount (OB/OM):
Horizontal-- at the top of the window, measure the width of the window opening with a sturdy measuring tape. If you need to eclipse/cover the opening, add enough additional width to cover the window completely with at least one inch of excess. Adding 2 to 6 inches wider than the window opening for a horizontal measurement is typical depending on the treatment as long as there is room for the blind to be that wide plus brackets. The valance will be 1 1/2" wider.
Vertical-- measure the left center and right window height. The brackets will need to be mounted 2" above the window and the finished blind will measure from the top of the headrail to the bottom of the measurement supplied. If you have a window sill that projects out from the wall that will stop the blind. Add 2 inches to the tallest height measurement. If there is not sill projection, you should add 3 to 4 inches to the tallest height measurement so the blind eclipses the entire window is squarely-mounted, centered 2" above the top of the window.
Returns: 2" blinds can have valances that come with a standard return of 5/8" for inside mounts and 3 1/2" for outside mounts. These standards can be changed by specifying an exact return (depth) you need at no charge up to 5 inches.
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