How to Measure: Roller Shades

Instructions for:

Roller Shades (aka Roller Blinds, Solar Shades) 

Items Required:

• Writing tool and paper.
• A measuring tape in inches with a minimum 1/8" increment. (metal measuring tape is the best for accuracy)

First you will need to decide if you want the shades to be inside or outside mount.  An inside mount will go within a recess or framework and will highlight an attractive molding or window.  Outside mounts will hang outside the opening of a recess, either on the frame or above and beyond the frame.  If you outside mount, you can make a window appear larger or hide an unattractive window.

Inside Mount	Outside Mount

Outside Mount

If you are mounting your blinds directly to the frame of the window measure the exact width and height of the wood frame itself, from outer edge to outer edge.  Or, for maximum privacy and light control, go above and beyond the window frame.  We recommend adding between 3” to 6” to your width measurement.  Also, add 2” to your height measurement to allow enough room for the mounting brackets above the opening.

Roller shades ordered outside mount will have a deduction made off of the width of the fabric.  The fabric will generally be between 1 and 2" less than the ordered width.  For example, if you ordered a roller shade at 35” wide, the width of the material on the finished shade would be between 33 and 34 inches.  Please take this into account if you are trying to control the light.  Do not add to the height to account for the roll up, as our factory will make this addition for you. If you want to know the exact deduction that will be made in your shade, view the product specs on the product page you are considering or send us an email via https://www.paylessdecor.com/contact.

Inside Mount

When mounting inside of a window, there must be enough depth to accommodate the mounting brackets. To view the specific depth requirements of your product, on the product page click the tab in the lower part of the screen that says 'Details' 

A flush mount means that the blind will be fully recessed within your window if you have the amount required by the specific product you are selecting.  If you have less than the flush mount requirements, then your roll will protrude beyond the frame of the window.  If you have less than the minimum depth requirement, you will not be able to mount inside of the window and should consider an outside mount.

Measure the width in several places, as windows are often not even from side to side.  We recommend taking at least three measurements for the width-top, middle, and bottom.  Write down those three measurements and circle the smallest one.  That will become the width measurement that you provide. Measure the height in several places as windows are often not even from top to bottom.  We recommend taking at least three measurements for the height- left, middle, and right.  Write down those three measurements and circle the largest one.  That will become the height measurement that you provide.

Do not make any deductions or additions to those measurements as our factory will do this for you.  Roller shades have very specific deductions made. Remember roller shades are like toilet paper rolls where your fabric is going to be less wide than the tips of the roll

If you want to know the exact deduction that will be made on your shade, view the product specs on the product page you are considering or send us an email via  contact us form

Additional Specifications and Considerations

• Fabrics over 72” in width may be railroaded or seamed.  Seamed fabrics will have small holes along the seam.  This is not recommended for blackout materials.
• Materials have the tendency to memorize the roll and can curl.  This is considered normal and will relax over time.  It is not a defect.
• A +/- 1/8” tolerance is considered normal.