For a warm and inviting look that instantly elevates the ambiance of your home, try woven wood shades. These shades are made of natural materials and come in various tones, grains, and textures. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps for how to measure woven wood shades.
1.Decide Inside or Outside Mount
There are two mounting options available for woven wood shades, i.e., inside mount and outside mount.
Inside Mount:
If you prefer a clean and seamless appearance, an inside mount is the best choice as it is the most popular choice. However, it is crucial to ensure that your window frame has sufficient depth to meet the minimum depth required for the window treatment you have chosen. One often overlooked aspect is neglecting this depth, which not only affects whether the window treatment you choose can be installed with an inside mount, but also affects its final appearance once in place.
Outside Mount:
If you want your windows to look bigger and achieve superior light control, choose an outside mount. This option is generally chosen when an inside mount isn't feasible because the window frame lacks the necessary depth for the chosen window treatment.
2: What You’ll Need
Create a quick tool checklist for measuring window shades:
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Metal measuring tape (not fabric)
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Pencil
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Notepad or phone for notes
3: Measuring for Inside Mount
Width Measurement
To accurately determine the width of a window, measure the opening of the window at three different points: top, middle, and bottom. Use a precise measuring tool to get measurements down to the nearest 1/8 inch. Among these three measurements, take note of the narrowest one as it will be the width dimension you will be using.
Height Measurement
For height, measure downwards from the top inner edge of the window frame to the window sill. Similarly, measurements are taken at three locations: the left, middle, and right sides of the window. Round each measurement to the nearest 1/8 inch. Record the longest measurement value from these, as it will represent the height of the window for selecting or customizing your window treatment.
Depth Measurement
To measure depth, please pay attention to the internal depth at the top of the window frame. Use your measuring tool to get an accurate measurement to the nearest 1/8 inch. It is important to consider any potential window obstacles (such as handles, cranks, or locks) that may interfere with the installation or operation of window treatments as they may affect the required depth.
4: Measuring for Outside Mount
Width Measurement
When measuring width, consider the entire space you intend to cover, including any parts that extend to adjacent walls. Firstly, determine the amount of overlap on each side; The common range is 1 to 3 inches. Then, by adding the total overlap (the sum of the overlaps on both sides) to the basic width of the area you are covering, merge this overlap into the width measurement.
Height Measurement
For height, the first step is to determine the position where the top of the shade will be installed and measure down to the desired endpoint, which can be the bottom of the window sill or even further down if you're opting for longer shades. Don't forget to consider any additional length that may be required for the mounting brackets. In addition, if you want the shade to overlap at the bottom, add this extra length to your height measurement to ensure full coverage according to your preference.
5.Common Mistakes to Avoid
Measuring accurately is key to getting woven wood shades that fit perfectly and look great. But several common mistakes can trip you up during this process.
Using a Soft Measuring Tape
A soft tape measure is flexible, which makes it a bad choice for measuring windows. It is easy to stretch or sag, especially over long distances. This flexibility may result in inaccurate readings when measuring the width or height of the window.
Forgetting to Measure Depth
Depth measurement is crucial, especially if you plan an inside - mount. The depth of the window frame determines whether the shades can fit snugly inside. If you skip this step, you may end up with shades that are too thick, causing them to stick out or not close properly.
Guessing or Rounding Incorrectly
Guessing the measurements or rounding them randomly may result in inappropriate shades. A small rounding error can make a big difference. For example, if the actual width is 35.625 inches and you round it to 35 inches, the shades may be too narrow, leaving gaps.
Not Double - Checking Numbers
Misreading on the tape or momentary negligence can lead to incorrect numbers. Not carefully checking your measurements before ordering shades may result in expensive consequences. Take a few more minutes to double check the width, height, and depth.
Conclusion:
In short, measuring for woven wood shades requires careful attention to detail. By selecting the correct mount type, collecting appropriate tools, and following specific measurement steps for inside or outside mounts, you can ensure good fit. Avoiding common mistakes and not checking numbers repeatedly will save you time and money, bringing beautiful, well - fitting shades to your home.
