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How to Measure for Zebra Shades

Measure width and height in three places each, with diagrams for inside and outside mount. Take the narrowest width and the longest height.

Measure the width first, then the height, and always to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. For an inside mount we take your exact opening and make the deduction ourselves, so do not subtract anything.

Inside mount or outside mount?

Decide this before you measure, because the two are measured differently. An inside mount sits within the window opening for a clean, built-in look. An outside mount is fixed to the wall above the opening and overlaps it, which hides an out-of-square frame and blocks more light.

Inside mount versus outside mount. An inside-mount shade sits within the window opening; an outside-mount shade is fixed to the wall and overlaps the opening by at least two inches on each side and two to three inches above. Inside mount Sits inside the window opening. Exact opening: we make the deduction Outside mount Fixed to the wall, overlapping it. 2″+ 2″+ 2–3″ Add the overlap yourself
Inside mount versus outside mount. An inside-mount shade sits within the window opening; an outside-mount shade is fixed to the wall and overlaps the opening by at least two inches on each side and two to three inches above. Inside mount Sits inside the window opening. Exact opening: we make the deduction Outside mount Fixed to the wall, overlapping it. 2″+ 2″+ 2–3″ Add the overlap yourself
Inside mount sits in the opening. Outside mount overlaps it: add at least 2″ each side and 2–3″ above.

Measuring the width

Windows are rarely square, so one measurement is not enough. Measure the opening at the top, the middle and the bottom, then write down the narrowest of the three. That is the number we build to.

Measuring width: take the width of the window opening at the top, the middle and the bottom, then order the narrowest of the three. 1 2 3 Top Middle Bottom Measure all three. Order the NARROWEST width
Three width measurements. The narrowest one is the one that matters. It is the only width guaranteed to clear the frame.

Measuring the height

Same idea, turned ninety degrees. Measure from the top of the opening down to the sill at the left, the middle and the right, and use the longest of the three so the shade covers the full drop.

Measuring height: take the height from the top of the opening to the sill at the left, the middle and the right, then order the longest of the three. 1 2 3 Left Middle Right Measure all three. Order the LONGEST height
Three height measurements, taken to the sill. Use the longest so there is no gap at the bottom.

Check your depth

For an inside mount, check you have at least 2″ of flat depth inside the frame for the cassette to sit in. If you have less than that, go with an outside mount instead. It will look better than a cassette that sticks out.

The chain

Our shades are raised and lowered with a continuous-loop chain. You choose which side the chain hangs on when you order; our workshop sets its drop to suit the window you have measured.

The four mistakes we see most

  • Rounding to the nearest inch. Use 1/8″ increments, because windows are rarely square.
  • Measuring one spot only. Always take three and follow the rules above.
  • Deducting for an inside mount. Do not. We make the factory deduction for you.
  • Measuring only one window. If you are doing more than one, measure them all in one pass, with the same tape.

Would you rather we did it?

If you are within 75 km of Richmond Hill we can measure and install the whole order from $100 a window. And wherever you are, you can tick “Ring me before anything is cut” at checkout and we will go through your numbers with you before anything is cut.

Mis-measured anyway? Our remake guarantee covers one blind per customer, on a website order of three shades or more.

Rather we did it?

Within 75 km of Richmond Hill we come and measure every window, and can install the lot. Further away, we book a video call and measure with you.

Book a measureSee it in your windowPrice a window

Questions about measuring

Do I measure the window or the shade?

Measure the window. For an inside mount give us the exact opening, measured at the top, middle and bottom, and send the narrowest width and the longest height; the workshop makes the deductions so the shade clears the frame. For an outside mount give us the size you want the shade to be, usually the opening plus two to three inches each side.

How exact do the measurements need to be?

To the eighth of an inch. The order form takes whole inches and eighths, and the shade is cut to that number, so a tape measure that reads eighths is all you need.

What if I measure wrong?

One remake per customer is included, on a website order of three shades or more. Ring us on (289) 210-3254 before ordering if you are unsure and we will measure with you over the phone, or within 75 km of Richmond Hill we will come and measure.

What sizes can you make?

From 9 to 109 inches wide and up to 130 inches high. Shades 94 inches and wider travel by courier in their own carton, and the order carries one $85 charge for that however many there are.