Measuring Guides

Roller Blinds

Measuring for your new blinds is easier than you might think! All you have to do is follow our simple tips, double-check everything you do, and set aside some time to do it. Happy measuring!

This guide works for:
  • Standard Roller blinds
  • Double Roller blinds
  • Enjoy Roller blinds
  • Illusion Roller blinds

Standard Windows

Recess fitting

Measure the full width and height of the recess [the size of the hole if you like] and we will make the appropriate deductions to ensure a perfect fit.

  • Measure in 3 places for both the width and the drop. For the width, compare the measurement at the top of the recess with the smallest of the measurements you’ve taken – if the difference between those is less than 25mm, use the measurement at the top of the recess. If it is not, use the smallest
  • Don’t make any deductions, we’ll deduct from the width to ensure your blind fits perfectly (3mm for standard & double rollers, 10mm for Enjoy & Illusion).
  • Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements
Top-Tip:

Check that your recess is deep enough to fit the blind into, also bearing in mind any obstructions such as handles (see table).

Standard Roller Depth
Top-Fix Face-Fix
50mm 70mm
Double Roller Depth
Top-Fix Face-Fix
120mm 105mm
Enjoy Roller Depth
Illusion Roller Depth

Exact fitting

Measure the full width and height of the recess [the size of the hole if you like] and add a little extra to the top and to each side, we will make the blind to the size you specify with no deductions

  • To minimize light leakage we recommend that the blind overlaps the window recess by at least 70mm at the top and 50mm each side
  • The overlap at the bottom of the blind is a matter of personal choice but please take into account obstacles such as radiators

Other Windows

Part-tiled recesses

If you have tiles part-way up your recess (often the case in kitchens and bathrooms) then the space between them is most likely to be the narrowest point in the recess.

Measure at the top of the recess and between the tiles. Compare the two measurements; if the difference is less than 25mm, use the measurement from the top of the recess.

If it is not, use the width between the tiles. You will need to top-fix or face-fix your blind if this is the case.

If it is not, use the width between the tiles. You will need to top-fix or face-fix your blind if this is the case.

Bay windows, half-bays & L-shaped windows

We have some handy guides already put together especially for roller blinds in bay windows, click on the links below to take a look!

Angled bay windows

You can use these same guides for angled half-bay windows, it’s the same principle.

Square bay windows

You can use these same guides for L-shaped windows, it’s the same principle

Unique Features

When you choose exact fitting for a roller blind you are given two further options, either fabric width or bracket-to-bracket width (these options are not available for Enjoy or Illusion roller blinds).

Fabric Width

Fabric width is exactly as it sounds, the width of the fabric itself. We don’t recommend measuring for fabric width if you’re fitting the blind inside a recess.

Bracket-to-Bracket Width

Bracket-to-bracket width is the full width of the blind including the fittings. This is approximately 35mm wider than the width of the fabric.

Vertical Blinds

Measuring your new blinds is easier than you might think! All you have to do is follow our simple tips, double-check everything you do, and set aside some time to do it.

This guide works for:
  • Standard Vertical blinds
  • Rigid Vertical blinds

Standard Windows

Recess fitting

Measure the full width and height of the recess [the size of the hole if you like] and we will make the appropriate deductions to ensure a perfect fit.

  • Measure in 3 places for both the width and the drop, use the smallest measurement
  • Don’t make any deductions, we’ll deduct 10mm from the width and 15mm from the drop to ensure your blind fits perfectly
  • Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements

Exact fitting

Measure the full width and height of the recess and add a little extra to the top and to each side, we will make the blind to the size you specify with no deductions.

  • To minimize light leakage we recommend that the blind overlaps the window recess by at least 70mm at the top and 50mm each side
  • The overlap at the bottom of the blind is a matter of personal choice but please take into account obstacles such as radiators

Other Windows

Part-tiled recesses

If you have tiles part-way up your recess (often the case in kitchens and bathrooms) then the space between them is most likely to be the narrowest point in the recess.

Measure between the tiles to ensure your blind will fit.

Bay windows, half-bays & L-shaped windows

Here are some handy images already put together especially for vertical blinds in bay windows.

Angled bay windows

You can use these same image for angled half-bay windows, it’s the same principle.

Square bay windows

You can use this same image for L-shaped windows.

Wood, Faux-Wood & Aluminum Venetian Blinds

Measuring for your blinds is easier than you may think! All you have to do is follow our simple tips, double-check everything you do, and set aside some time to do it.

This guide works for:
  • Wooden blinds
  • Faux Wooden blinds
  • 25mm Venetian blinds
  • 50mm Venetian blinds
  • Synergy Venetian blinds

Standard Windows

Recess fitting

Measure the full width and height of the recess and we will make the exact deductions to ensure a perfect fit.

  • Measure in 3 places for both the width and the drop, use the smallest measurement.
  • Don’t make any deductions, we will deduct 10mm from the width to ensure your blind fits.
  • Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements.
Top-Tip:

Check that your recess is deep enough to fit the blind into, also bearing in mind any obstructions such as handles (see table).

Wooden & Faux Wooden
Slat Size Depth
25mm 55mm
35-38mm 65mm
50mm 70mm
63-65mm 80mm
Aluminium Venetian
Slat Size Depth
25mm 30mm
50mm 65mm
Synergy 70mm

Exact fitting

Measure the full width and height of the recess and add a little extra to the top and to each side, and we’ll make the blind to the size you specify with no deductions.

  • To minimize light leakage we recommend that the blind overlaps the window recess by at least 70mm at the top and 50mm each side
  • The overlap at the bottom of the blind is a matter of personal choice but please take into account obstacles.

Other Windows

Part-tiled recesses

If you have tiles part-way up your recess (often the case in kitchens and bathrooms) then the space between them is most likely to be the narrowest point in the recess.

Measure between the tiles to ensure your blind will fit. You will need to top-fix or face-fix your brackets in this case.

Bay windows, half-bays & L-shaped windows

We have some handy guides already put together especially for wooden blinds in bay windows, click on the links below to take a look!

Angled bay windows

You can use these same guides for angled half-bay windows, it’s the same principle.

Square bay windows

You can use these same guides for L-shaped windows, it’s the same principle

Unique Features

Some of our wooden and Venetian blinds come with a decorative pelmet, or valance, which covers the headrail. The blinds that come with pelmets are:

  • Real wood blinds
  • Faux wood blinds
  • Synergy Venetian blinds

The pelmet is cut to the size and shape that is most suitable for the fitting type you’ve chosen:

Pelmets for Recess Fitting

If you choose recess fitting we will make the pelmet for your blind slightly wider than the blind itself so that the pelmet is a tight fit at the top of the recess and to prevent gaps.

Pelmets for Exact Fitting

If you choose exact fitting we will make your pelmet a few centimetres wider than the blind and include side returns, so that the brackets are not visible either side.

Shutters

Measuring for your new blinds is easier than you might think! All you have to do is follow our simple tips, double-check everything you do, and set aside some time to do it. Below is a handy guide for measuring for shutters.

Before You Start, Check for Squareness

  • First of all, you need to check that your recess is pretty much square, making it suitable for our shutters. All you need to do is measure the recess diagonally from corner to corner on both sides. Then, compare the two measurements.
  • If the difference is 12mm or less, you’re good to go. If they vary by any more than that, then unfortunately you won’t be able to fit shutters in your recess. If this happens, don’t worry, there are plenty more fish in the sea, or, in this case plenty more blinds and curtains to choose from across our sites.

Ready to Measure

First, decide where your shutters are going to sit. This can be at the front of the recess or inside the recess. Either way, measure at the place you plan to fit your shutters. Don’t worry about making any deductions, we’ll do all the maths for you.

Front of Recess Fittinge

  • For a front of recess fitting you need to measure at the front of the recess. Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom.
  • For a front of recess fitting you Next measure the drop on the right, in the centre and on the left. Write down the smallest measurements, these are the sizes you will use to place an order

Inside Recess Fitting

  • For an inside recess fitting, you can position your shutters anywhere you choose inside the recess, even flush against the window. Just make sure you measure far enough forward so that you avoid any obstructions such as window handles
  • Mark where you are going to fit your shutters and measure the width and the drop in 3 places as you would for a front of recess fitting. Again, use the smallest measurements.

Measuring for a Midrail

For taller shutters over 1400mm drop, we put in a stylish midrail to give your shutters some support. The great thing about a midrail is you can customise its height so that it looks best. Usually, people tend to position their midrails at the same height as any transom bars on their window.

  • There are just a couple of small restrictions when customising your midrail. For structural reasons they must be a minimum of 380mm and a maximum of 1300mm from both the top and bottom of your shutter panel.
  • To position your midrail, simply measure from the bottom of your recess to the midpoint of where you want it to sit. If this is level with your transom bar, measure from the bottom of the recess to the centre of the bar.