Before You Measure
Before you take any measurements, check the following:
- Your window is the final, finished window — no further building work is planned
- You have a steel or aluminium tape measure (not a fabric tape — fabric tapes stretch and give inaccurate readings)
- You have a pencil and notepad, or a phone to photograph your measurements
- You have good light in the room
Important — inward-opening windows: If your window opens inward (fenêtre à la française), you must account for the swing of the sash before choosing your fitting type or taking measurements. An inward-opening window that clears a blind or shutter when closed may still catch it when opened. Read the fitting type section carefully before measuring
Choose Your Fitting Type
There are two ways to fit your roller blind. You must decide which fitting type you are using before you take your measurements, because the measurements are different for each.
Inside recess fitting
The roller blind sits inside the window recess. This gives a neat, built-in look and takes up no wall space. Requirements:
- Your recess must be deep enough for the product mechanism. For blinds without a headbox, the minimum depth is 70mm. For blinds with a headbox, the minimum depth is 90mm
- The recess walls must be flat and square enough to allow the product to operate freely.
- Inward-opening windows: The product must not obstruct the window when it opens. Measure the full swing depth of your window sash and compare it to the available recess depth. If the sash swings further into the room than the product mechanism, you cannot use inside recess fitting. The minimum clearance height for blinds without a headbox is 70mm. For blinds with a headbox, the minimum clearance height is 90mm. If you do not have enough clearance, switch to outside fitting.
- Check for obstructions: handles, locks, tiles, protruding frames, or condensation channels that reduce usable recess depth.
Outside / face fitting
The roller blind is fixed to the wall or ceiling above the window recess. Requirements:
- At least 70mm of flat wall or ceiling above the recess for bracket fixing
- Enough wall space on each side for the recommended 60mm overlap
- Inward-opening windows: Outside fitting is usually the correct choice for inward-opening windows, as it keeps the product clear of the window sash entirely. The product sits proud of the wall and does not interfere with the window opening.
Not sure which to choose? Inside recess looks more refined. Outside fitting is more practical for inward-opening windows and shallow recesses. If your windows open inward, outside fitting is almost always the safer option.
How to Measure
Step 1: Measure the width
Measure the width of your recess at the top. This is the widest part of a roller blind, so unless you have tiles or quartz inside your recess at the bottom, this will be you key width measurement. Write down this measurement. Do not round up.
Step 2: Measure the drop (height)
Measure the drop at three points: left, centre, and right. Write down all three measurements. Use the smallest figure when ordering.
Step 3: Check for obstructions
Before finalising your measurements, check for:
- Window handles or locks that protrude into the recess or that the product might obstruct when lowered
- Tiled surfaces that may affect bracket placement
- Radiators or pipes below the sill if fitting outside the recess.
- Picture rails, coving, or ceiling beams above that may interfere with bracket placement.
- Inward-opening window sash swing — with the window fully open, does the sash clear the position where your product will sit? If not, switch to outside fitting or increase the recess depth allowance.
Do not make any deductions from your measurements. Intérieurs Inspirés applies all manufacturing tolerances automatically if you have selected inside recess. If you have selected outside recess ensure you have added on at least 60mm for each side and 100mm for the drop, and your blind will be made to the sizes you have entered. Submit your exact measurements.
