Measurement Guide

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ‘RECESS’ AND AN ‘EXACT’ MEASUREMENT?

When you place your order for a ‘made to measure’ blind from Shades Window Blinds you will be asked on the order form to specify whether your measurements are ‘recess’ or ‘exact’.

A ‘recess’ measurement is the total width required for a blind, (including brackets), that you want to fit within the ‘recess’ of your window. Measure the ‘recess’ width from wall to wall, three times for width and drop as per our measuring guide, take the shortest width and drop measurements and enter those details into the on-line order form. We will make the necessary adjustments to take into account the headrail fittings and brackets and thus ensure a perfect fit for your blinds within the window frame.

In order to ensure a perfect fit for Venetian and Vertical blinds we deduct 13mms from the width of your blind to take into account any variations in the straightness of your walls and to give the slats enough leeway to open and close without fouling. With Roller blinds there is no headrail, however we still need to allow 36mms for the fittings, and brackets. This means that the fabric width of your roller blind regardless of whether you have specified a ‘recess’ or an ‘exact’ finish will be made 36mms less than the measurements that you entered into the order form. Note; we also add on 200mms to the length (drop) of a roller blind to provide an adequate ‘wrap around’.

An ‘exact’ blind on the other hand will be made to precisely the measurements that you have entered on the order form including an allowance for brackets. An ‘exact’ window blind will generally be a Venetian or a Roller blind and will typically be fitted in front of the window frame, (or on a door), and is usually fitted with a face fix bracket. An important point to note if you are ordering a Roller blind to cover a door with a window in it, for example a bathroom door or a front door, is that an ‘exact’ width measurement will be required, and you will therefore need to add on 36mms to your width measurements to ensure that you have sufficient fabric width coverage of any glass or window area in the door. As with a ‘recess’ measurement for a Roller blind we will add on 200mms to the length (drop) of the blind to provide you with adequate ‘wrap around’.

For more information see our measuring and fitting guides for full details, or if you have any questions please call one of our Customer Service advisors on 0845 600 6499 who will be able to help with your measurements and your order.


TAKING A RECESS MEASUREMENT IN THREE EASY STEPS

Follow these instructions:

1. Measure the width of the recess in three places as shown in the diagram. Make a note of the shortest measurement.
2. Measure the drop, or height, from the top of the recess to the sill in three places as shown in the diagram. Make a note of the shortest measurement.
3. Keep these measurements in a safe place, you will need them when you order your blinds.

TAKING AN EXACT MEASUREMENT IN THREE EASY STEPS

Follow these instructions:

1. Measure the exact width of where your blind will be placed. Make a note of this measurement.
2. Measure the exact drop, or height, from the top of where you want your blind to be to the bottom. Make a note of this measurement.
3. Keep these measurements in a safe place, you will need them when you order your blinds.