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How to Measure for Cellular Shades
Measuring your windows or doors for cellular shades is easy! Check out the tips below, and you’ll discover how to measure your cellular shades just like a professional!
Inside Mount or Outside Mount?
Shade Is Inside the Window/Door Frame
- The most common method of mounting.
- The brackets that hold the shade are screwed into the inside-top of the frame.
- A minimum of 1″ of flat surface is necessary for mounting the brackets (see Flush vs. Shallow Mount, below).
Shade Is Outside the Window/Door Frame
- Typically used when there is not enough frame depth for inside mount.
- The brackets that hold the shade are screwed into the trim above the window frame or the wall above the trim.
- A minimum of 1″ of flat surface is necessary for mounting the brackets.
Flush Inside Mount or Shallow Inside Mount?
Flush vs. Shallow Mount
- Flush Inside Mount means the entire shade fits within the window frame. In other words, if you were to run your hand along the wall or window frame, your hand would not bump into the shade. The minimum window frame depth required for a flush mount is 2 1/4″.
- Shallow Inside Mount means there’s not enough frame depth for a flush mount, so the front of the shade will protrude into the room somewhat. This is not uncommon, and it does not affect the operation of the shade. A shallow mount can be achieved with as little as 1″ of frame depth.
Important Measuring Tips
How to Measure Like a Pro
- Always provide the width measurement first, then the height. A 24″ x 36″ shade is 24″ wide and 36″ high.
- Measurements should be rounded to the nearest 1/8″.
- Always measure the width in 3 places – near the top of the window, near the middle of the window, and near the bottom of the window.
- Always measure the height in 3 places – near the left side of the window, near the middle of the window, and near the right side of the window.
Measuring for Inside Mount
If You Are Mounting Inside the Window Frame
- Measure the exact window opening – for example, from the inside-left of the window frame to the inside-right, and from the inside-top to the bottom/sill.
- Do not make any adjustments or take any deductions.
- Using your exact measurements and our expertise, we will build your shade to fit just right.
- Measuring the width:
- Measure the width in 3 places – near the top of the window, near the middle of the window, and near the bottom of the window.
- For each measurement, round down to the nearest 1/8″.
- Provide us with the smallest of the 3 measurements.
- Measuring the height:
- Measure the height in 3 places – near the left side of the window, near the middle of the window, and near the right side of the window.
- Round each measurement up to the nearest 1/8″ and provide us with the largest of the 3 measurements.
Measuring for Outside Mount
If You Are Mounting Outside the Window Frame
- Measure the exact area you want to cover.
- Do not make any adjustments or take any deductions.
- The width you give us will be the exact width that we make your fabric. (NOTE: Due to the end caps on the headrail, it will be just slightly wider than the fabric.)
- The height you give us will be the exact height of the shade, from the top of the headrail to the bottom of the bottom rail.
- Measuring the width:
- Measure the width in 3 places – near the top of the window, near the middle of the window, and near the bottom of the window.
- For each measurement, round up to the nearest 1/8″.
- Provide us with the largest of the 3 measurements.
- Measuring the height:
- Measure the height in 3 places – near the left side of the window, near the middle of the window, and near the right side of the window.
- For each measurement, round up to the nearest 1/8″.
- Provide us with the largest of the 3 measurements.