Measuring & Installation of Your Ideal Blinds

Measuring for Your New Window Shades and Blinds

The first step in securing perfect blinds takes place before you order. Never under estimate the importance of accurately measuring for your blinds. We've put together the following instructions because an incorrectly measured opening may mean that your blinds won't fit as intended, or even worse, render them unusable!

Ideal Blinds allows you full flexibility in sizing your blind. All blinds can be mounted inside, outside or over an opening.                                    Like to start your own business in blinds? Click here

To begin measuring you'll need a pencil, some paper, a steel tape measure, and a spouse (or other family member or neighbour) to double check your measurements.

Important: Always use a steel tape measure as its rigidity will help you make a more precise measurement.

First you'll measure the Opening Width and the Opening Drop. Then, if you want your blind to cover the opening, you'll decide how much extra width and drop you require.

1. Measure the Opening Width in three (3) places. You'll be measuring to the nearest mm.
    
2. Pick the lowest value (narrowest width) and write it down. This is extremely important! Whether mounting inside or outside the window, always make sure you have measured at the narrowest point.
    
3. Measure the Opening Drop in three (3) places
    
4. Pick the lowest value (shortest height) and write it down.
    
5. If you want the blind to sit outside the opening:
    
   1. Decide how much Extra Width you’ll need. For instance, the typical architrave (window or door moulding) is 60 mm wide. Most outside mounted blinds look better if the architrave is covered. In a window you may choose to have 60 mm x2 = 120 mm Extra Width. If mounted outside, you may want to make the blind larger than the opening, for example to cover the architrave. The figure below will help you visualize the difference.
       
   2. Decide how much Extra Drop you’ll need.
       
   3. Enter the Extra Width and Extra Drop (if required)
       
6. Have your second person double check every opening, both width and drop and confirm that your selection of Extra Width and Extra Drop makes sense. (This is a good exercise in letting your ‘better half’ prove that you don’t make any mistakes by letting him or her check every measurement!)

Tips for Ordering Ideal Blinds & Shades

• Some blinds may have insufficient depth for an inside mounting. If it's necessary to mount your blind inside, be sure to choose one that will fit. If in doubt, blind accessories such as blind extension brackets will hold the blind away from your window to allow for a better presentation.
   
• Do not make any deductions for clearance as Ideal Blinds makes the deductions from the measurements you provide.
   
  • Note that if a value greater than zero (0) is entered for Extra Width or Extra Drop, Ideal Blinds automatically assumes that your blind is to be mounted outside the opening and makes no deductions for clearance
     
  • If for some reason you want extra clearance, either make the specified opening size smaller or make the Extra Width or Extra Drop values negative. For example, if Extra Width = -10 the blind will have an extra 10 mm clearance
     
• In measuring a blind for a door, you normally need just to define the Opening Width and Opening Drop, but if you want more clearance, the same as for windows, add a negative number to the Extra Width (e.g. -20) and the same procedure for any Extra Drop (e.g. -20)
   
• When Ordering Timber Venetians, be sure to order the fixed base (“Hold Downs”) rail option to keep the blind secure during door opening and closing.

Safety Precautions for Installing New Blinds & Shades

1) Keep children and infants away from blind chains and cords as they are choking hazards. Never place cots or beds in areas where blind cords or chains may be in reach of young children and infants. To ensure the safety of long cords and chains, use a tensioner to secure them out of reach of young children. Contact Ideal Blinds.

2) Ensure tracks are securely mounted so there is no risk that they might fall down unexpectedly, resulting in injury to a passer-by. Ideal Blinds takes no responsibility for incorrectly mounted tracks and blinds. The heavier the blind, the greater the risk. If in doubt, contact Ideal Blinds for professional blind installation.

Example 1: Blind mounted inside opening

Example 2: Blind mounted outside opening (same window as above)