Measuring for Inside Mounted Roman Shades
For the most accuracy use a metal measuring tape or a laser measuring tape. Measure twice to ensure accuracy. When you place the order, I ask you to measure a third time to confirm.
Finished Width of Roman Shade will usually be 1/4” less than actual width of window or 1/2” for wider windows which allows ease of lifting and lowering shade.
Inside Mounted Roman Shade in Penny Morrison Kalindi Blue Yellow – Designed and Photographed by Jennifer Hickey Interiors. Pillow on chair in Brunschwig & Fils Les Touches Grey.
If you are considering inside mounted roman shades, look at the top of your window. Measure the depth of the flat surface. Usually roman shades are mounted on a 1.5” deep board, so at least a 1.5” flat recess at the top of your window is needed. If you use the Continuous Cord Loop Clutch System that requires a minimum 1.5” deep board. A Standard Cordlock can be mounted on a board as narrow as ¾” for a narrow recess.
Some windows have decorative molding of varying levels which does not provide a large enough flat surface for mounting. These style windows would be better for an outside mounted roman shade.
However, if you prefer an inside mounted shade and have at least a 1” flat surface for mounting a board it may be possible. Please send pictures of the inside of your window to determine the best option.
Some windows have multiple “steps” and the flat surface is enough to mount a roman shade. For instance with this window you can mount it set back where the BLUE line is, or set towards the front of the window where the RED line is.
Measure the mounting depth of the area where you want to mount the shade.
Make sure when you are measuring the width of the window that you measure the width of the area where the shade will be mounted to ensure it will fit. For instance the section of the window frame outlined in blue, the width will be narrower than the section outlined in red.
Some windows ride up and down along a prominent track. Sometimes the track takes up the whole inside of the window and that makes it difficult to install an inside mounted shade. If there is an empty flat area in front of the track as there is for this window, then you can install the roman shade where the RED line is. Do NOT measure in between the track indicated by the BLUE line.
If your window has the track running along the inside of the window, make sure your measurement is between the tracks so the board will fit when installed.
See picture of a board that illustrates how an inside mounted shade would fit between the tracks alongside the window.
If you have plenty of depth inside your window, you have flexibility as to how far back or towards the front you would like to mount the shade.
This roman shade was mounted towards the back. It was in a bedroom, and had blackout lining, so by mounting the shade towards the back, it helps minimize light gaps along the sides of the shades.
If the shade is not being installed in a bedroom, you can mount the shade closer to the front of the window casing.
Once you have established exactly where you will be mounting the roman shade board:
Measure the inside width of the window at the top, middle and bottom of window.
If the measurements are not exactly the same, use the smallest measurement. I deduct 1/4” to 1/2” from actual width of the window for the finished width of the shade. The size deduction depends on the width of the window.
If you have multiple windows, measure every window to make sure they are all the same. Sometimes there is a slight difference.
Measure the inside width at the middle of the window.
Measure the inside width at the bottom of the window.
If they differ, use the smallest number to ensure the roman shade will fit.
To determine the length of the roman shade:
Measure from the top of the window to the window sill for the length at the right and left side.
If your window does not have a window sill, then measure to the bottom of the window casing.
How to Measure for a Double Wide Window
If you have a double wide window and would like to do 1 double width inside mounted roman shade, the mounting depth at the center of the window needs to be considered.
Measure the depth of the inside window casing at the center of the window to make sure there is enough room to mount an inside mounted roman shade.
If that measurement is at least 1 ½” then you can mount 1 double width roman shade inside the window
This double window does not have enough mounting depth in the center to install 1 double width roman shade. So either you would have to do 2 inside mounted roman shades, or if you would prefer 1 double width shade, then you would have to do an outside mounted shade.
Double Wide Roman Shade Inside Mounted
Two Roman Shades Inside Mounted
for a Double Wide Window
