Please be aware: Since Decorating Depot cannot measure your windows; we cannot be responsible for incorrect sizes. You are responsible for your own measurements. Please review our measuring instructions and helpful hints to help insure proper measurements. Be sure to always use a steel tape measure, never use rulers, yardsticks or cloth tapes!

• Always measure to the nearest eighth of an inch, never round up or down to the next whole inch.
• A common mistake is to reverse the width and height when measuring a window. The industry standard is width X height, so always put the width first and the height last. Example given: 36 ¼ X 59 ½, 36 ¼ being the width and 59 ½ being the length.
• Do not take your own deductions, the factory will take it’s own deductions for a proper fit. Measure the window opening for an inside mount. If it is an outside mount, make sure you have added for hardware and any over hang you may want.

When measuring your windows, first decide what type of a mount you want to do. ‘Inside’ means that you will be installing the treatment inside the window opening. ‘Outside’ means that you will be installing the treatment outside the window opening. It usually looks better to install the treatment on the inside of the window, however, if your window is out of square or you do not have enough inside depth (this will vary by product as to how much is needed, contact customer service if you are not sure), you may want to consider an outside mount to hide the windows imperfections. If you are mounting outside, make sure you have added the proper amount for hardware and over hang. If you are mounting inside, make sure you have enough room to mount the treatment.

If you will be installing horizontal blinds or shades as an inside mount, measure the width in 3 places, top, middle and bottom. Mark down the narrowest width. Then measure the height in 3 different places, left, middle and right. Mark down the longest height. This will assure proper fit of your blind or shade. For an outside mount, measure exactly where you want the blind or shade to fit. Measure the window plus over-hang.

For inside mount verticals measure across the top of the window for the width, and take the shortest measurement for the height. Do not add or deduct anything, order the exact size of the window.

For outside mount, measure window and add for over-hang and hardware. Windows with no inside dimension will need an outside mount. As a general rule you will measure the size of the window then add how much overhang you want. If the window is 62 inches wide, and you want the blind to extend 3 inches past on each side, you will need to order it 68 inches wide. If the window is 50 inches in height, and you want the blind to be the same length, your height will be 50 inches. If you want over-hang, add the proper amount of over-hang. If you want the blind to extend 3 inches beyond the height of the window, order the blind 53 inches in height.

For outside mounts you will also have to add for the height of the hardware. This is especially important for outside mount vertical blinds. For the width measure trim to trim (if no trim, measure from casing to casing) then add for how much over-hang you want. For the height measure from the floor to the top of the trim or casing, then add 2 inches for the mounting hardware.

You will only add to the size for outside mount blinds NOT inside mount.

Shutters: When measuring for shutters follow the same instructions as above. You will also have to take other things into consideration such as, what type of frame you want and how many sides you require for the frame. If there is a windowsill, it is usually better to do a three-sided frame (top and sides). If there is no sill, a four-sided frame is a better choice. You will also need to decide what louver size you want and how many panels you want for each opening. Panel size should be determined by how wide the window is and there will be limitations to how many can be used in each opening. Please refer to our panel configuration chart on the shutter product page to help you decide. A T-Bar may be required on wide widths. Shutters can be tricky, so if you do not have experience measuring for window treatments, it may be necessary to call a professional to measure your windows first.

Specialty Measurements: the following are for measuring specialty applications such as 2 and 3 on one head rail blinds.

2-on-1 or 3-on-1: When measuring for 2 or 3 on one head rail blinds measure the overall width of the window and order the blind with that size, but as a 2 or 3 on one head rail. For example: If the window is 84 inches wide and you want to do it as a 2-on-1 enter your size as 84 inches, then check the 2-on-1 head rail box in the shopping cart. You will then be taken to another screen where you will be asked to enter the size for each blind. If you want each blind to be the same using the size in this example, just divide by two, if it’s a 3-on-1 and you want an even split, divide by three. In some cases your window may require a different size for each blind. If the window was 84 inches wide, but it had two smaller windows with a center larger window, you would want to note each blind size by the size of each individual window. The blind will be made to your specifications, so be sure to take accurate measurements. Since we have no way of knowing what the window size is, we cannot be responsible for windows that are measured wrong. You are responsible for all measurements and we cannot give a refund for blinds that were measured wrong.

Cut Outs: When measuring for cut outs, measure how far up you want the cut out to be and how far in also. Example: If you have tile that is inside the window casement, you will need to do a cut out. Measure how far up the tile goes from the windowsill up to where it stops, and then measure the depth of the tile. If the tile is 10 inches up and ½” thick, you would do a cut out of 10 inches high and ½” deep on each side of the blind (if the tile is on both sides).

Arch Shades: When measuring for arch shades it is important to know if it is a perfect arch or non-perfect arch. If the height is exactly half the width it is a perfect arch, if it is not then you will need a template sent in with the order. If it’s slightly off it is possible to still order it with out a template, but cutting will be required. For more information on how to draw a template, please call customer service.

Some outside mount applications:



Outside Mount applications (in most cases):

• Sliding glass doors, Anderson-style windows, French doors.
• Shutters are generally easier to install as outside mounts.
• Remember the golden rule “measure twice, cut once”.
• Once your order is in production, it cannot be stopped.
• This is a custom made item and cannot be returned, so please take the time to measure your windows properly.
• You are responsible for your own measurements.