The purpose of this guide is to advise you on how best to measure your window for blinds.

You will need:

1. Tape measure (metal ones are best)

2. Paper and Pen

Exact or Recess?

Exact

This is when you want your blinds to hang outside the recess. (See figure 1.1)

Recess

This is when you want you blind to fit inside the recess. (See figure 1.2)

Handy Hints

* Take all you measurements in centimeters to the nearest 0.1cm (1 mm).

* When measuring, always look out for things like window handles or tiles and take their position into account if necessary.  This way you will be sure of a perfect fit.

* Blinds can be fitted into the face of your window frame or wall, or into the top of the lintel.

* Always specify the width first then drop - Width x Drop.

Exact Measurement

1. Measure the exact width area where you would like the blind to cover. Note down the measurement.

2. Measure the exact area where you would like the blind to cover from top to bottom (drop). Note down the measurement.

                                                                 FIGURE 1.1

For exact measurements I recomend that you have a 5.1cm's (2") overlap at the top and 3.8cm's (1.5") at each side.

Recess Measurement

1.  Measure the width of the window wall to wall (left to right) in three seperate positions as shown in the diagram.  Note down the smallest measurement.

2.  Measure the drop of the window (head to sill) in three seperate positions as shown in the diagram below.  Note down the smallest measurement.

                                                                 FIGURE 1.2

Important note for measuring for roller blinds!

For roller blinds you have to take into account for the fittings at either end of the blind as there is no headrail, this means that the actual fabric will be 2.8cm's - 3.3cm's less than the overall blind width specified.

Example 1. If an exact width of 120cm's is specified then the make up of the roller blind will be as follows: Cloth size=117.2cm's, braclets =2.8cm's,  blind width =120cm's.