Window Blinds And Shades Correct Measuring For Doors

In today’s short tip, we’ll talk about how to measure correctly for new window blinds or shades to cover a door window.

Measuring Correctly For New Window Blinds Or Shades For A Door

In the picture, there’s an ordinary nonsliding, hinged patio door. To cover its window area efficiently, you need to consider if an outside or an inside mount will do.

As the case always is with this door, it’s the outside mount that’s going to be the winner. There’s not enough room to put up a blind or shade anywhere inside the frame of the door window. It’s too shallow, and has too many rounded surfaces to boot.

The white arrows mark the points you need to measure to and from.
The top and bottom (vertical) commonly added overlaps range from 1.5 – 2.0 inches.

If you’re planning on lifting and stacking your blinds or shades at the top, add a few inches to the length. Then, you’ll be able to attach the mounting brackets a tad higher and keep as much of the “stack” away from blocking the window view as possible. Of course, you are limited by the available space above the door window frame.

The total LENGTH you write down is going to be the total length of the product, including the headrail (without deductions).

For the bottom overlap, 1.5 – 2.0 inches is usually enough. That’s where the hold-down brackets go. They hold the bottom rail snugly and prevent it from swinging and hitting the door. Over time, if left “loose”, damages on both the blind or shade and the door show up. Remember to order hold-down brackets for your door.

The hold-down brackets’ design allows you to easily unhook the bottom rail from them and lift it up.

The WIDTH (left to right) arrow shows you the points to measure between. You do want to have a slight overlap for the width as well. A standard ½ – ¾ inch overlap is plenty. It takes care of unsightly light gaps or nosy people looking in.
The following pic gives you an idea of what a width overlap looks like “in action”.

A Typical (but often forgotten Overlap

Last, but not least, take a look at the usual spacing of installed headrail and hold down brackets.

A Common Spacing Of Hardware On A Door

Now, when you have your measurements (recheck them at least twice), write them down as the final WIDTH (first) and LENGTH (second). Since it is an outside mount on a door, the factory will omit taking any deductions from your original measurements.

Next, on which side do you need the controls to be? Usually, both the lift and tilt controls are on the opposite side from the door lock and handle. (Corded top-down bottom up cellular or pleated shades will have control cords on both sides.)

Some new window blinds or window shades come with a valance (wood blinds, faux wood blinds, vertical blinds, and woven wood shades). You’ll get a valance with returns to cover the headrail.

Cellular shades, pleated shades and most-up-to-date aluminum mini blinds usually come without valances.

If you are considering roller shades, you have a choice to ask for a low-cost add on, outside-mount valance (if you wish to keep the “roller” out of sight). Alternately, you can choose to put up an inexpensive, gathered-sleeve-type fabric valance over the roller shades.