How to Measure Your Windows for Blinds and Shutters
A bad measurement is the single most common reason a custom order comes back wrong. Here is how to measure the way a professional installer does it, before you order anything.
Inside Mount or Outside Mount, Decide This First
Every measurement depends on where the treatment will actually hang. An inside mount sits inside the window frame for a clean, built-in look, but it needs at least 1.25 to 2 inches of usable depth behind the trim, less than that and blinds or shutters will not clear window cranks, handles, or an angled sill. An outside mount hangs on the wall or trim surrounding the window, which works for windows too shallow for an inside mount and also does a better job blocking light around the edges. A lot of Pinellas County homes built before 1970, especially the bungalow stock around St. Petersburg and Gulfport, have shallow original window frames that force an outside mount even when a homeowner wanted the cleaner inside look. Check your frame depth with a tape measure before you decide.
Measuring Width and Height the Right Way
For an inside mount, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening, then use the smallest of the three numbers, older frames are rarely perfectly square. Measure height at the left, middle, and right, and use the shortest measurement. For an outside mount, add at least 2 to 3 inches of overlap on each side and go with your largest numbers instead, since overlap is what blocks light gaps and gives the treatment something solid to mount to. Write every measurement down to the eighth of an inch. Rounding to the nearest half inch is where most DIY orders go wrong, and a shutter or blind ordered a half inch short will not tilt or close correctly.
Common Measuring Mistakes That Cost You a Redo
The most common mistake is measuring only once, from only one spot. Windows in older Pinellas homes settle unevenly over decades, so the same opening can be a half inch different from one side to the other. Measure three times, every time. The second most common mistake is forgetting to check for obstructions, cranks on older jalousie or casement windows, deep sills, or trim that sticks out further than expected, all of which can block a shutter panel from swinging freely. If you are working on a second-story window or anything that requires a ladder to reach, do not measure alone. A missed step with a metal tape measure in hand is a fall risk, and a professional in-home measure is free with most custom orders anyway, so there is little reason to take that risk yourself on a hard-to-reach window.
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