Measuring Instructions
General Overview:Let's start with a few general rules that apply to all of the window treatments we sell. Remember, it's best to measure TWICE and order ONCE.
- Never measure your windows with a cloth measuring tape as can stretch - always use a steel tape measure.
- If your dimensions fall on a 1/16th of an inch increment round down to the nearest 1/8th of an inch - outside of this never round down - 35" is 35" and 35-1/8" is 35-1/8" - however, 35-15/16 would be 35-7/8" as that would be the nearest 1/8th inch increment rounded down.
- When writing down your measurements be sure to indicate which measurement is the width and which is the height and ALWAYS note the width first, then the height.
- Inside Mount Only - Do NOT take your own deductions - B&W will make the proper deductions. Do NOT measure an existing window covering - you must provide us with the exact window size using the measuring instructions below. If you order an inside mount and take your own deductions and on top of that B&W takes their standard inside mount deductions your shade will be too small and there won't be a thing I can do about it aside from ordering a new shade at full price.
Choose Inside or Outside Mount:
Before taking any measurements, step back from your window and
decide if you want to mount the window treatment inside the
window recess or outside on the wall or molding. For an inside
mount, the window opening must have enough unobstructed depth to
allow mounting. Be sure to look for obstructions like window
locks, window cranks, etc.
Inside Mounting Depth:
Measure from the front of the opening to the window or nearest
obstruction - this is your mounting depth. You will either have
just enough depth to mount the brackets (shallow mount) or you
will have enough depth to install the shade fully recessed
(flush mount) so that no part of it sticks out from the opening.
1: Measuring for Shades of Elegance™ Roller Shades
Important:
Due to the hardware requirements, there are significant light gaps at the edge of all roller shades. For spring roller shades, there is a 5/8" gap on each side and for clutch roller shades there is a 3/4" gap on each side. To avoid these light gaps, consider an Outside Mount.
Due to the hardware requirements, there are significant light gaps at the edge of all roller shades. For spring roller shades, there is a 5/8" gap on each side and for clutch roller shades there is a 3/4" gap on each side. To avoid these light gaps, consider an Outside Mount.
INSIDE MOUNT:
Width: Measure the exact width of the window opening at the top, where the brackets will be mounted. Be precise and round to the nearest 1/8th of an inch. The workroom will deduct 1/8" (from the tip-to-tip size) to allow for clearance.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window. The workroom will add fabric for roll up allowance.
Width: Measure the exact width of the window opening at the top, where the brackets will be mounted. Be precise and round to the nearest 1/8th of an inch. The workroom will deduct 1/8" (from the tip-to-tip size) to allow for clearance.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window. The workroom will add fabric for roll up allowance.
OUTSIDE MOUNT:
Width: Measure at the top of the window where the brackets will be placed. For Outside Mount, order as "Cloth Measurement" and provide the total width the fabric should cover. A 1-1/2" to 2" overlap on each side is recommended to stop light gaps.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window. The workroom will add fabric for roll up allowance.
Width: Measure at the top of the window where the brackets will be placed. For Outside Mount, order as "Cloth Measurement" and provide the total width the fabric should cover. A 1-1/2" to 2" overlap on each side is recommended to stop light gaps.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window. The workroom will add fabric for roll up allowance.
2: Measuring for Shades of Elegance™ Roman Shades
INSIDE MOUNT:
Width: Measure the exact width of the window opening at the top, where the brackets will be mounted. Be precise and round to the nearest 1/8th of an inch. In other words if your measurement is 45-7/8" there's no reason to round down but if the measurement is 45-15/16 then you would round down to 45-7/8" because we accept measurements in 1/8th inch increments only. The workroom will deduct 1/8" (from the tip-to-tip size) to allow for clearance.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window. The workroom will add fabric for roll up allowance.
Width: Measure the exact width of the window opening at the top, where the brackets will be mounted. Be precise and round to the nearest 1/8th of an inch. In other words if your measurement is 45-7/8" there's no reason to round down but if the measurement is 45-15/16 then you would round down to 45-7/8" because we accept measurements in 1/8th inch increments only. The workroom will deduct 1/8" (from the tip-to-tip size) to allow for clearance.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window. The workroom will add fabric for roll up allowance.
OUTSIDE MOUNT:
Width: Measure at the top of the window where the brackets will be placed. For Outside Mount a 1-1/2" to 2" overlap on each side is recommended to stop light gaps.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window.
Width: Measure at the top of the window where the brackets will be placed. For Outside Mount a 1-1/2" to 2" overlap on each side is recommended to stop light gaps.
Height: Measure the actual height of the window.
3: Measuring for Horizon Natural Shades™
INSIDE MOUNT
(IM):
Measure the exact width and height of the window opening as shown. It is a good idea to check the inside width at the top middle and bottom of the window opening and give the narrowest width. We will deduct 1/2" from the width for clearance. Mark your order "Inside Measurements (IM)".
Be sure to check the "Specs" section of the product page for inside mount depth requirements.
Measure the exact width and height of the window opening as shown. It is a good idea to check the inside width at the top middle and bottom of the window opening and give the narrowest width. We will deduct 1/2" from the width for clearance. Mark your order "Inside Measurements (IM)".
Be sure to check the "Specs" section of the product page for inside mount depth requirements.
OUTSIDE MOUNT
(OM):
Measure for the exact width and height of the area you wish to cover. The shade should
overlap the window opening by at least 3" in width and height. Mark your order "Outside
Measurements (OM)".
Measure for the exact width and height of the area you wish to cover. The shade should
overlap the window opening by at least 3" in width and height. Mark your order "Outside
Measurements (OM)".
4: Measuring for the Averte Natural Fold™
INSIDE MOUNT (IM):
Width: Measure the exact width of the opening at the top where the track will be mounted. Be precise, the workroom will only make a 1/4" deduction to the track´s width to fit inside.
Height: Measure the exact height of the opening in three places (left, middle and right). Provide the shortest height. The workroom will deduct 1/2" from the total unit´s height (which includes the track and carriers). When an inside mount Averté is ordered with a valance, the workroom will also make the allowance for the valance board´s thickness.
Width: Measure the exact width of the opening at the top where the track will be mounted. Be precise, the workroom will only make a 1/4" deduction to the track´s width to fit inside.
Height: Measure the exact height of the opening in three places (left, middle and right). Provide the shortest height. The workroom will deduct 1/2" from the total unit´s height (which includes the track and carriers). When an inside mount Averté is ordered with a valance, the workroom will also make the allowance for the valance board´s thickness.
OUTSIDE MOUNT (OM):
Width: Measure the exact width of the window or sliding door including the trim (if there is any). We recommend adding a minimum overlap of 3" on each side of the window. Additional overlap may also be added to allow for complete stack-back. See "Specs Tab for Stacking Dimensions".
Height: Measure the exact height of the window or sliding door including the trim. We recommend mounting the Averté to the wall above the window frame. Add 3" to the height to allow for the bracket height. Add an additional 2" at the bottom if the Averté is to hang below the window..
Width: Measure the exact width of the window or sliding door including the trim (if there is any). We recommend adding a minimum overlap of 3" on each side of the window. Additional overlap may also be added to allow for complete stack-back. See "Specs Tab for Stacking Dimensions".
Height: Measure the exact height of the window or sliding door including the trim. We recommend mounting the Averté to the wall above the window frame. Add 3" to the height to allow for the bracket height. Add an additional 2" at the bottom if the Averté is to hang below the window..
5: Measuring for Elance™ Sliding Panels
Important Note: The number of panels and/or whether you
choose a one-way draw or split-draw changes the mounting depth
requirements for both a shallow and flush mount. Please review
the product specifications under the "specs" tab to make sure
you have the width and draw style ordered.
INSIDE MOUNT
(IM):
Width: Measure the exact width of the opening at the top where the track will be mounted. Be precise, the workroom will only make a 1/4" deduction to the track´s width to fit inside.
Important Note: The total fabric width will be 1-1/4" narrower than the width of the track. This will cause a 7/8" inch gap on the sides of an Inside Mount Élance. If this much gapping is a concern, please consider an Outside Mount.
Height: Measure the exact height of the opening in three places (left, middle and right). Provide the shortest height. The workroom will deduct 1/2" from the total height of the unit for an Inside Mount.
Width: Measure the exact width of the opening at the top where the track will be mounted. Be precise, the workroom will only make a 1/4" deduction to the track´s width to fit inside.
Important Note: The total fabric width will be 1-1/4" narrower than the width of the track. This will cause a 7/8" inch gap on the sides of an Inside Mount Élance. If this much gapping is a concern, please consider an Outside Mount.
Height: Measure the exact height of the opening in three places (left, middle and right). Provide the shortest height. The workroom will deduct 1/2" from the total height of the unit for an Inside Mount.
OUTSIDE MOUNT
(OM):
Width: Measure the exact width of the window or sliding door including the trim (if there is any). We recommend adding a minimum overlap of 10" on each side of the window. Additional overlap may also be added to allow for complete stack-back. The fabric width (the total width of all the panels) will be made the ordered width. The track will be 1-1/2" wider than the ordered width. See "Stacking Space/Panel Width" on page A9 for details.
Height: Measure the exact height of the window or sliding door including the trim. If you want the Élance to go all of the way to the floor, measure to the floor. We recommend mounting the Élance to the wall above the window frame. Add 4" to the height to allow for the bracket height. Add an additional 2" at the bottom if the Élance is to hang below the window.
Width: Measure the exact width of the window or sliding door including the trim (if there is any). We recommend adding a minimum overlap of 10" on each side of the window. Additional overlap may also be added to allow for complete stack-back. The fabric width (the total width of all the panels) will be made the ordered width. The track will be 1-1/2" wider than the ordered width. See "Stacking Space/Panel Width" on page A9 for details.
Height: Measure the exact height of the window or sliding door including the trim. If you want the Élance to go all of the way to the floor, measure to the floor. We recommend mounting the Élance to the wall above the window frame. Add 4" to the height to allow for the bracket height. Add an additional 2" at the bottom if the Élance is to hang below the window.
6: Measuring for Bay Windows
Measuring for Bay Windows can be an easy task if you follow our directions.
Generally, even with the most precise measurements there will be light/privacy
gaps in the corners. This should not be considered a measuring mistake. It
happens because when two blinds or shades meet in a corner only the front edges
meet up and the blind or shade itself is normally slightly smaller in width than
the headrail.
To start measuring you need the depth of the bracket/headrail for the blind/shade type you wish to use. This can be found below the "Specs" tab on all product pages - write this number down and then return to this page for more.
To start measuring you need the depth of the bracket/headrail for the blind/shade type you wish to use. This can be found below the "Specs" tab on all product pages - write this number down and then return to this page for more.
- Where the Left section of the window meets the Center section: From the Left window Section, Measure out the distance of the depth for the blind type you are using. At this point make a small mark on your ceiling demonstrated by the red line on figure 1.
- Where the Center section of the window meets the Left section: From the Center window Section, Measure out the distance of the depth for the blind type you are using. At this point make a small mark on your ceiling demonstrated by the red line on figure 1.
- At the point where these two marks meet is the point where the blinds will butt up against each other. This point will be point A.
- Where the Right section of the window meets the Center section: From the Right window Section, Measure out the distance of the depth for the blind type you are using. At this point make a small mark on your ceiling demonstrated by the red line on figure 1.
- Where the Center section of the window meets the Right section: From the Center window Section, Measure out the distance of the depth for the blind type you are using. At this point make a small mark on your ceiling demonstrated by the red line on figure 1.
- At the point where these two marks meet is the point where the blinds will butt up against each other. This point will be point B.
- Now Measure the distance from point A to point B. Subtract 1/8" from this distance and that is the width of your Center blind (Shown in Light Blue in Figure 1).
- Measure from the left side of the left wall to point A. Subtract 1/8" from this distance and that is the width of your Left blind (Shown in Light Blue in Figure 1).
- Measure from the right side of the right wall to point B. Subtract 1/8" from this distance and that is the width of your Right blind (Shown in Light Blue in Figure 1).
- Order as Outside Mount (so no deductions are taken by the Factory) and in the 'Notes Section' of the order page request Inside Mount Brackets if mounting to the ceiling or top of window opening.
"Hi Shawn - Just wanted to let you know that we received our Averte Natural Fold for our slider AND WE LOVE IT! It is just perfect! Thank you for all your time to make it right. It looks fantastic!! And such GREAT customer service!! Thank you"
Cheryl M
