Measuring Guide for Blinds & Shades

What You’ll Need Before Measuring

To ensure accurate measurements and a smooth ordering process, we recommend preparing the following tools:

Use a steel tape measure for accuracy—avoid cloth or flexible measuring tapes
Have a pencil ready to mark reference points if needed
Use a measuring worksheet to record all dimensions clearly
Measure each window individually, as size variations are common
Round down all measurements to the nearest 1/8"
Clearly label each measurement as width or height to avoid confusion

Mounting Considerations

Before measuring your windows, it’s important to decide how your window treatments will be mounted.
Both inside and outside mounts offer distinct visual and functional advantages, depending on you. A flush mount means the shade fits completely inside the window casing, window structure, and design goals.

Choose an Inside Mount When:

Your window has sufficient depth to accommodate the shade (consider obstructions like handles or cranks)
You prefer a clean, streamlined, and minimalist look.
Your window trim is visually appealing and worth showcasing.
You want the shades to sit flush within the window frame without protruding.
The window frame is strong enough to support mounting hardware.
Your windows are relatively new and square.
The window sill extends outward, making outside mounting less practical.

Choose an Outside Mount When:

The window or door frame does not have enough depth for an inside mount.
Handles, locks, cranks, or other hardware interfere with an inside-mounted window treatment.
You want greater coverage to reduce light gaps and improve privacy.
You want to conceal the trim or make the window appear larger or taller.
You want the fully raised window treatment to sit above and clear of the opening.
There is enough flat, structurally sound surface above or around the opening to secure the mounting brackets.

Measure the Depth

Measure the depth at the top of the window casing. This helps determine whether your window can support a flush mount or will be partially recessed.

A flush mount means the shade fits fully inside the casing. If the depth is not sufficient, the installation will be partially recessed, with part of the headrail extending outward.

*Some products (such as vertical blinds) may use a vane flush mount—this means the vanes (slats) sit flush with the window casing.

Refer to the Mounting Requirements Guide on the next page for complete inside-mount depth requirements.

Measure the Width

Measure the width at three points:

Top
Middle
Bottom

Use the narrowest measurement to ensure a proper fit., and round down to the nearest 1/8 inch when placing your order.

Measure the Height

Measure the height at:

Left
Center
Right

Use the longest measurement, and round down to the nearest 1/8 inch.

Note: Total shade height includes the headrail(Cassette ).

Important Notes for Inside Mount

Do not make any deductions. We will make the necessary adjustments for you. Record all measurements.
Slight gaps on both sides of shades exist because the shade material is slightly narrower than the headrail. This design allows the shade to roll up and down smoothly without obstruction.

Tips for Inside Mount

Confirm sufficient depth before choosing inside mount.
Account for obstructions such as handles, cranks, or sash structures.
Ensure the window frame is strong enough for drilling and installation.

Check Mounting Space

Decide whether the shade will be mounted on or above the window trim and mark spot. Measure the area above the window to ensure there is enough flat surface for mounting brackets and the headrail.

Measure the Width

Measure from the outer edges of the window frame or trim.
For better light control, we recommend adding 2–6 inches total (1–3 inches on each side).
This adjusted width will be your ordering width.

For certain products—vertical blinds, panel track blinds, and sheer vertical blinds—you should also consider the stack, which is the space the treatment occupies when fully opened.
If you prefer the stack to sit completely outside the window opening, please allow additional width accordingly. For more details about stack options, feel free to contact Customer Service.

Measure the Height

Measure from the top outer frame to the bottom outer frame.

For best results, install the shade at least 3 inches above the window. Refer to the Mounting Requirements Guide for complete space requirements above the window.

Note:Total shade height includes the headrail.

Tips for Outside Mount

Check for obstructions such as handles, locks, cranks, window sills, trim, molding, and door hardware before measuring.
Measure how far each obstruction projects from the wall or mounting surface.
Make sure the fabric, slats, vanes, bottom rail, and other moving components can operate without touching any obstruction.
If an obstruction extends beyond the mounting surface, use compatible extension brackets to move the headrail or cassette forward and provide sufficient clearance.
Confirm that the window treatment can move through its full operating range without interfering with the window or door.
Make sure there is sufficient flat mounting space above the opening. Refer to the Mounting Requirements Guide for product-specific requirements.
Add 2–6" to the total width, approximately 1–3" on each side, for better coverage and privacy.
Enter the finished outside-mount dimensions. Graywind makes no deductions for outside-mount orders.
If you are unsure about clearance, send Customer Service a side-view photo and the obstruction measurement before ordering.

Mounting Requirements Guide

Shade Type	Minimum Depth Mount (Partially Recessed)	Depth Needed for Flush Mount (No Valance)	Depth Needed for Flush Mount (With Valance)	Space Needed Above Window (Outside Mount)	Depth Needed for Vane Flush Mount	Gaps (Inside Mount)
Roller Shades with no Valance	1 1/16"	2 1/16"	—	2 1/16"	—	Each side 9/16"
Roman Shades / Roller Shades / Zebra Shades / Dual Shades / Shangri-la Shades	1 7/8"	—	3 3/4"	3 1/16"	—	Each side 9/16"
Cellular Shades / Top Down Bottom-Up Shades / Day & Night Shades (excluding Graywind x Motionblinds)	1 1/16"	1 7/8"	—	1 7/8" (3 7/16")	—	0
Graywind x Motionblinds Roller Shades	1 1/4"	2 5/8"	3 3/4"	2 1/2"	—	Each side 9/16"
Graywind x Motionblinds Cellular / Top Down Bottom-Up / Day & Night Shades	1 1/4"	2 1/4"	—	1 7/16"	—	0
Motorized Panel Track Blinds	3 9/16"	5 1/16"	6 15/16"	1 5/16"	—	1 7/16"
Manual Panel Track Blinds	2 7/16"	3 13/16"	6 1/16"	1 5/16"	—	3/16"
Motorized (Sheer) Vertical Blinds	3 5/8"	5"	7 5/8"	2 5/16"	3 9/16"	Motor side 2 1/16" Other side 1 3/8"
Manual Vertical Blinds	2 15/16"	3 7/8"	6 5/8"	1 3/4"	3 9/16"	9/16"
Manual Sheer Vertical Blinds	3 5/8"	5"	7 3/4"	1 3/4"	5 1/2"	9/16"