Measuring Instructions

The Blind or Shade will be mounted inside the window frame providing a clean look. Please see minimum mounting requirements to determine which option is best for your window type.

To determine the width of your inside mount treatment, take the measurements in 3 places, (top, middle and bottom) and use the narrowest dimension.

To determine the length of your inside mount treatment, take the measurement in 3 places as well, (left, middle and right) and use the longest dimension.

Please give exact inside mount measurements; we will take deductions necessary for proper inside mount operation.

The Blind or Shade will be mounted outside the window frame or on the frame itself. This style should be used when there is not enough depth to mount inside the window frame. Mount to the surrounding wall, ceiling or window frame or molding.

To determine the width of your outside mount treatment, take the measurements in 3 places, (top, middle and bottom) and use the widest dimension.

If desired, you may add 1 – 1 1/2 inches on each side of the outside mount width to fully cover the window and framing and to reduce light penetration from the edges.

To determine the length of your outside mount treatment, take the measurement in 3 places as well, (left, middle and right) and use the longest dimension.

Outside mount measurements are exact and window treatments will be made to those exact specifications.

Most drapery panels come in pre-set widths and lengths and are made to the 1/2 inch with fullness built in.

Measure the width of the window area you’d like to cover. We recommend adding an additional 4-6 inches to each side from the edge of the window glass. This will allow the drapery panels when pulled to the sides to clear more of the window and allow more natural light in.

Consider the decorative hardware you’ll be using to hang the panels from. Finials add another 6-8 inches (3-4 inches for each finial on both ends of the pole) to the total space of window/wall area you’ll need.

Finished panel length is measured from the top of the drapery panel to the bottom. It includes the rod pocket but not the header for rod pocket style drapery. The finished panel length you provide will be the exact measurement the drapery panel will be made to. Consider the additional height you will gain when hanging the panels from decorative rods. It is recommended to mount the pole at least 4 inches above the window frame.

You may specify any length to the 1/2 inch.

Here are some commonly used drapery panel lengths:

Floor Length - refers to the drapery or panel just above the floor about 1/2 inch to 1 inch high. The floor length is most popular for functioning drapery treatments
Trouser Break – this refers to the drapery or panel just touching the floor about 1-2 inches
Puddling – refers to the additional fabric that pools out or puddles on the floor giving your drapery a luxurious and dramatic look. The puddled look is best suited for stationary panels and should have another 6 -10 inches of length added
Sill Length – refers to the drapery or panel hanging to the bottom of the sill on a window

Most Pole Mounted Valances are sold as pre-set sizes in single units and each style has a unique shape and size. The number of single units needed depends on the width of your windows. As with other treatments that hang from decorative poles, consideration must be given to the hardware the valances will be hung from. For example, the window and wall width you’ll need to cover and the extra length that clip rings will add to the valance.

No additional width is needed but adding about 2 inches on each side of the trim to trim or window edge measurement will make the window appear larger and allows other treatments layered underneath to function more freely.

The fabric hangs off the edge of the top board and no side boards are used.

If undertreatments will be used, such as drapery panels, sheer, etc… we recommend adding an additional 1-6 inches to each side to allow even more room for them to clear.

Return size is the depth of the board or projection from the wall. Most treatments come with 2 return sizes:

4 inches for mounting over most blinds and shades
7 inches for mounting over drapery treatments

Add at least 2 inches total to the trim to trim or window edge measurement to compensate for the width of the wood sideboards and the fiberfill batting. We recommend adding about 2 inches on each side of the trim to trim or window edge measurement if possible; this makes the window appear larger and allows other treatments layered underneath to function more freely.