How to Measure in Special Situations

NOTE: All measurements should come from measuring the window. If you measure your existing blinds, the measurements will be incorrect.

In the past the most common window treatment for sliding doors was verticals.  You can mount verticals, either within the door frame, inside mount, or on the wall above the casing, outside mount. Allow 3-5 inches above the door frame to mount the vertical brackets. Remember, when measuring the width for an outside mount,  add a minimum of 3-4 inches on both sides of the vertical for light control.  Door handles sometimes protrude and interfere with the window treatment, be sure to order extension brackets. These brackets add depth to the headrail, allowing the clearance for an obstructing door handle. Other window treatments for sliders, are often cellular or honeycomb type shades and the newest window covering for sliders, is the Vertiglide. The Vertiglide is measured like a vertical with similar light protection and clearance guide lines.  

French Doors

These doors are very simple to measure. To assure against light seepage, measure the width of the glass pane and add as much as available without interfering with the door locks. Usually you can go at least 1 or more inches on either side. Ideal would be 2 inches on each side, adding a total of 4 inches to the width. Allow room for  mounting hardware (2" to 6") at the top. The higher you mount the blind, the greater the clearance, of the blind off of the window. The length of the blind should be measured 2-3 inches below the glass. Hold down brackets can be used to hold the blind in place. Please Note: When you order a certain width, you are ordering the width of the headrail. The body (fabric, metal slats, vanes) will always be narrower than the headrail to allow it to fit inside of the headrail. This discrepancy is generally not great. However, in the case of roller shades that are outside mounts, the fabric will be one full inch narrower than the headrail. You will need to add an inch to your measurement to get the correct size.

Wide windows

Most blinds are available in 2 on 1 and 3 on 1 headrail.  The benefits of these are that you can open a section of the window covering and not the entire blind.   Depending on the size of the blind, some  products are only warrantied if the blind is split. This is due to the weight of the blind. This is especially true with wood and wood composite blinds.  Blindsgalore offers this option on many of the window covering products.  Measure the width of the window and divide it by the number of blinds.  If you require blinds of different widths on one headrail, you will need to call in the order.

Cut-outs

Sometimes because of tile or granite splash or other obstructions, you may need to have a cut out to allow for the blind to move freely.  Give us the width at the bottom and at the top.  Be clear as to which part needs to be cut out.  Specific diagrams should be submitted for clarification. Cut outs are an additional charge.

Window cranks

When you are measuring don't forget the cranks. Most often, people take the cranks off if they interfere with the window covering.  We can order you T-handles, a small wing nut type crank.  Tell us the name of the manufacturer of the window or we can send you some samples to see which crank fits.  

Sill depth

For flush mounts, you need to take into consideration the amount of widow depth you have to work with.  Depending upon the product, mounting depths vary. Swivel brackets are available for honeycomb shades.