Measure Blinds: The Basics of Vertical Blinds

Copyright (c) 2010 Nadine Davis

When your new vertical blinds arrive, you are bound to be extremely excited. After all, they add an elegant and stylish element to just about any room in the house. Imagine how disappointing it would be if your blinds were the wrong size. You can avoid that problem by following the tips and tricks below.

Basic Tips for Measuring for Vertical Blinds:

Before you start, take the time to become familiar with some of the basic measuring tips for vertical blinds. For one thing, make sure that you are always consistent when it comes to denoting width and height. If you get the two figures mixed up, you could inadvertently purchase the incorrect size. Remember that width always comes before height; therefore, your measurements should always follow the pattern of W x H. Get into the practice of taking down your measurements in this order and you'll always know that your haven't ordered anything backwards or upside down.

An important point to take note of is that using a steel tape measure is going to be more exact and correct than a cloth measuring tape in almost all instances. Steel measuring tape tends to be much more accurate. Accuracy is essential when it comes to ordering vertical blinds, Roller Blinds and other window coverings. Always measure your windows using steel measuring tape so that you don't come up with incorrect measurements.

Finally, your windows might look perfectly symmetrical - but they probably aren't. Tiny, nearly imperceptible imperfections can throw your measurements for a loop. To ward off this issue, always take your measurements in a couple of different spots. Measure the width in a few places, then use the smallest measurement; measure the height in a couple of different places, then use the smallest measurement. You'll end up with much more effective information that way.

Measuring for Inside Mounted Blinds:

Inside-mounted blinds create a neat, tidy look. If you've decided to buy inside blinds, there's a certain way that you should measure. Measure for width at the top, center and bottom of the window; use the narrowest width. Then measure the height in the same way, using the shortest height. Give precise measurements when ordering, since the supplier will remove a bit of space to ensure that the blinds fit properly.

Measuring for Outside-Mounted Blinds:

Outside-mounted blinds are great if you want to cover up imperfections or make your windows look bigger. As you record your measurements, add a few centimetres to ensure that all of the light is effectively blocked out. Your blinds will be made to measure for your exact measurements supplied, therefore you won't need to take anything away from your measurements as you go along.