Blindster's Blog
How to Measure for Pleated Shades
Pleated shades make excellent window coverings for a wide variety of rooms in your home. In addition to featuring a beautiful accordion-style fabric design, pleated shades are also highly versatile and can be ordered with standard lift or top-down/bottom-up options for increased functionality, privacy, and light filtering.
If you're considering ordering pleated shades for your home, you should first take the time to accurately measure the area where you're planning on installing the shades, whether that's the interior of your window frames or the area surrounding your windows.
Learn the Differences between Inside and Outside Mounting Options
The two primary methods for mounting shades and window coverings include mounting them flush inside a window frame or outside the window by attaching them to the wall, ceiling, or molding. Both mounting options have their own pros and cons, which you can see in the table below:
| Inside Mount Installation | Outside Mount Installation |
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Carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding which mounting option you will choose. After you've decided, it's time to measure your windows or wall. Follow the instructions below to get the most accurate dimensions possible before you place your order with Blindster.
Measuring Instructions for Inside Mount Installations
Step 1: Measure the interior width of the window by taking its dimensions in three separate locations—the top, middle and bottom. Measure the entire length of the glass and record the smallest of these three measurements, as that's the number you'll use when you place your order. Note that Blindster will make a small deduction when the factory creates your shade (around 3/8" to 1/2")
Step 2: Measure the interior height of your window by taking its dimensions in three separate locations—the left side, middle and the right side. Record the largest of these three measurements, as that's the number you'll use when you place your order.
Measuring Instructions for Outside Mount Installations
Step 1: Measure the full width of the area you wish to cover with your new pleated shade. If there's enough space to do so, add an extra 2" to 3" to your measured width to eliminate light leakage from the sides of the shade. Use this number when placing your order with Blindster.
Step 2: Measure the full height of the area you wish to cover with your new pleated shade. When measuring, make sure to account for the extra 1" of flat mounting surface required for outside mount installations. Also, note that adding 3" to 4" of extra height to your order will give you enough room to mount your shade above your window frame and above molding or framework that you wish to cover.
Ready to start shopping? Take a look at Blindster's selection of custom pleated shades to find the color, style and options that are just right for you!
