How to Measure for Roller Blinds

How to measure for roller blinds will differ depending on whether you are fitting them inside or outside the window recess. Learning how to measure for blinds is a vital step in the process of buying and fitting your roller blinds. It can seem confusing but we have made it simple with our step-by-step guide below.

Measuring Roller Blinds for Recess Fitting

If you want to fit your roller blinds within the window recess, you’ll need to measure wall to wall within this space using the steps below.

1. Measure the width by taking three measurements across the window recess. From left to right, measure across the top, middle, and bottom of the blind.

2. Take a note of narrowest measurement, this is what you will use when ordering.

3. Measure the drop of the window by taking three measurements down the length of the window recess. From top to bottom, measure the drop at the left, centre, and the right.

4. Note down the shortest measurement again, this is what you will use when ordering.

5. Using the smallest measurement for the width and drop of the window ensures that your blind will fit even if your window measures slightly larger in certain areas.

6. Enter your measurements on your chosen product and select “recess” on Unbeatable Blinds for an instant quote.

Is your Window Recess Partially Tiled?

If your recess is partially tiled then the space between the tiles on either side of your window will likely be the narrowest point in the recess. To ensure your roller blinds fit correctly, you should measure at the top of the recess as well as between the tiles, then compare those two measurements.

If the difference between your two measurements is 2.5cm or less, use the measurement from the top. If it’s more than 2.5cm, use the measurement taken between the tiles. It’s important to note that generally, partially tiled recesses aren’t compatible for TwistFit blinds.

Measuring your recess for TwistFit Roller Blinds?

When measuring the recess for TwistFit roller blinds, we recommend taking your recess measurements exactly where the blinds will be installed. Rather than measuring the width in 3 different places, take your width measurement from the top of the recess to ensure they fit tightly.

See our complete guide on How to Measure for TwistFit Blinds.

Things to Note:

For recess measuring, do not make any deductions yourself, we will make all required adjustments to ensure your blind fits perfectly.

Please be aware the fabric width will be approximately 3.5cm less than the overall width of the blind (which includes all mechanisms).

Example: If you have a width of 100cm the overall size of the blind will be 100cm from one side of the headrail to the other. The fabric itself will be roughly 3.5cm narrower to allow space for the mechanisms. We take 1.75cm from each side of the fabric meaning the fabric would be 96.5cm.

Tips on How to Measure for Recess Fitting Roller Blinds

Use a metal tape measure – fabric tapes can stretch which will give an inaccurate reading.

Ensure you measure within any tiles or other limitations inside the recess which could affect the finished width of the blind.

Measure your blind to the nearest mm.

Measure all windows individually even if they appear to be the same size.

Measuring Roller Blinds for Exact Fitting

If you would rather mount your roller blind outside the window recess, you’ll need to measure the exact area you want the blind to cover, using the steps below.

1. Measure the height from the top to the bottom of the window.
2. Measure the width of the window from left to right.
3. When fitting a roller blind outside the window, we recommend that you add 20cm onto both the width and height to ensure that you have adequate coverage of the window when the blind is closed.
4. We recommend adding a further 3.5cm to the width of the blind to accommodate the brackets.
5. If the window sill protrudes more than 5cm it may obstruct the smooth operation of the blind. If this is the case it may need to stop at the sill level rather than dropping below. Keep this in mind when entering your drop.
6. Now that you have calculated your width and drop measurements, enter them and select “exact” on your chosen product for an instant quote.

Things to Note:

When ordering exact fitting roller blinds the width of the fabric is roughly 3cm less than the total width of the blind (which includes all mechanisms).

Example: If you order an exact fitting roller blind with a width of 100cm then the blind will be 100cm from the left side of the headrail to the right. The fabric width will be 3cm narrower at roughly 97cm. This is to allow space for the mechanisms.

Tips on How to Measure for Exact Fitting Roller Blinds

Use a metal tape measure – fabric tapes can stretch which will give an inaccurate reading.

Measure all windows individually even if they appear to be the same size.

How to Measure for Roller Blinds Using an Existing Blind

If you have an existing roller blind in your window, you can simply measure it’s width and drop (inclusive of all mechanisms) and we’ll make one to the same size.

1. Take you width measurement across the complete headrail from bracket to bracket.
2. For the drop, measure from the top of the existing headrail down to the bottom of the fabric (when the blind is fully open), or down to the window sill/where you want the fabric to stop.
3. Once you have the complete measurement of the blind, enter this on your chosen product and select exact fitting. You should still select ‘exact’ even if you’re blind will be fitted within the recess of your window to ensure we make no deductions.
4. That’s it! We’ll make your blind to the exact same size as the one within your window.

Customer Examples

By using our easy guide on How to Measure Roller Blinds, our customers have found it super easy, some have even shared their experience of measuring, ordering, and fitting below:

I measured at the three points shown and my three sizes were 1470mm, 1475mm and 1475mm, so I put in my smallest size of 1470mm and my blinds fit snugly into the recess. Unbeatable Blinds made all the necessary adjustments to accommodate for the fittings and roller mechanisms – great job!

 
Recess Fitting – Mrs C, London.

I wanted my roller blind to cover my full window and be fitted outside the recess. My window size was 1200mm, so I added a 200mm for extra coverage and then 35mm to accommodate the fittings, so in total my width was 1435mm, well outside the natural window size. On the height I added further 100mm, so that I could face fix to the wall and cover the complete window. My blinds came back absolutely perfect!

 
Exact Fitting – Ms M, Glasgow

I already had an existing roller blind that I wanted to replace so I simply measured the drop and width of the entire blind including the headrail for a size of 1350mm x 1540mm. I then ordered my new blind at the exact same size and it fits perfectly. I would 100% use this method the next time one of my blinds need replaced!

 
Replacing an Existing Blind (Exact Fitting) – Mr B, Manchester

If you need further advice on how to measure for roller blinds you can contact our customer support team on 0333 321 4050.