How to Choose and Measure Window and Door Blinds

New window blinds will give you a room a great new look, control the light coming in and provide some added privacy. This video will help you choose and measure your new blinds and when your ready to put them up be sure to watch the installation video at lowes.com/videos. These days you can get blinds and chase of many colors, sizes and styles and when it comes to the style this usually no rider wrong choice the right blinds for your home or whatever you like best. Now we all familiar with traditional horizontal blinds that have tilting slot to control sunlight. Vertical blinds are terrific for sliding glass doors or large window, other shades are energy efficient keeping cool air end during summer and pull there out during winter or night else there is blackout shades with black host of 99% of sunlight. Blinds available without pore courts for child’s safety and some even have remote controls, there will happy to know that your Lowe’s store will costume cut of many blinds that fit the width of your window free of charge. All we need are your measurements and will do the rest while you shop or you can special order just about anything else you need and you won’t need much to measure for window blinds all it takes is a metal tape measure, a pencil and paper and a small ladder. If you need some extra help check out the printable instructions for this project at lowes.com/videos. There are basically two ways to install window blinds, either insider mounted or outside mounted. Inside mounted blinds are within the window, outside mounted blinds cover the frame or attached to the wall. The one you choose depends on the look you want and the depth of the window and the frame. If you’re window set for the back in the opening that you can attached the mounting brackets inside the frame you can choose inside or outside mounts if that’s not possible then outside mounting is for you. All you need for this application is a sturdy window frame or wall surface to mount the hardware. To get started figure out if inside mounted horizontal blinds will work with your window. The amount of clearance or depth you will need will depend on the style of blind you’re thinking about. The credible instructions for this project have minimum clearance requirements of many popular blinds or you can ask the Lowes Associates. Once your sure an inside mount will work you can measure the window, measure the width at the top, middle and bottom. They have to measure in three places because even with new windows the frame may not be exactly square. Use the smallest number as the width of the window so the blind clear the size of your window frame then measure the height at the left, middle and right sides of the window. Round the numbers down to the nearest eight in each and use the largest number as the hide of the window so the blind covers the entire opening. Just take these measurements to the store to select your blinds, for inside mounts give the associate the exact measurement and now make any necessary clearance adjustments for you. But say you’ve decided on outside mounted horizontal blinds they will cover the entire window and trim. Measure the distance to the nearest eight of an inch between the outer most points where the blinds will be place. For optimum light control the blind should extend one half inches behind the window opening on each side then measure the desired height. Again you want at least an inch and half above and below the window opening for optimum light control. These measurements are all you need to select new horizontal blinds, one other thing if you mount your blinds on the wall board you may need extension brackets to clear the trim. However, you might choose vertical blinds instead. Many people prefer them on a window that’s wider that is tall and they’re definitely the best choice for sliding doors. The measuring process is a little different and for horizontal blinds but they can also be installed either inside or outside the frame. On then they keep in mind inside mounted vertical blinds won’t work on doors so you will need to outside mount. For inside mount start by measuring the width inside the frame at the top, middle an bottom then measure the height from the top of the opening to the seal at the left, middle and right side. Use the smallest numbers of your measurement, outside mounted vertical blinds are perfect for wide doorways but these steps also work for windows just measure the width of the window or door for maximum light control add four inches to each side. Then measure the height from where the head rail will be place and most manufacture recommend at least three inches above the door down to the seal. Measure the left, middle and right sides, use the smallest number for measurements and now you are ready to go shopping just taking a time to measure your windows who make your tip to Lowes a brace and remember we can costume cut many blinds while you shop at no additional cost. If you really want to make it easy on yourself check with the Lowe’s Associate on our measurement and installation services or see how to install your new blinds yourself and check out the installation video at lowes.com/videos.