Have you found the ideal blind design for your home? Once you have the perfect design, it’s then time to do the measuring, but is there a perfect fit for your perfect blinds? Also, what exactly is measuring in “recess” or in “face”? We explain all this below, so read on to make your window measurements with confidence.
Is there a Perfect Blind Size?
Is there a perfect size for your custom-made blinds? The best size blinds for your home are the ones that satisfy your needs best and suit your personal preference. Pretty simple, right? Do you want blinds that cover your window completely to block out light while you sleep? Would you instead prefer a size that suits a specific theme or style for the room? If you keep in mind how you want them to complement your space and what function you most expect them to perform (decorative, light control, climate control, privacy, etc), you have complete control over the sizing and placement of your blinds. When doing your measuring, simply decide whether you want to measure in recess or face fitting and follow the instructions below.
What is Recess Fitting?
Measuring your window in recess means that you measure your window opening inside the frame, instead of outside of it. This is because recess measuring is taken to fit your blind to the inside of the window frame. The blind is made to be roughly the same size as this space so that it can fit snuggly, but with a slight reduction of material to ensure that you can easily operate it without the blind catching on the sides.
Blinds that are measured in recess are popularly used in modern homes today. They’re the ideal design for a minimalist appearance and spatial efficiency. Recess fitting is suitable for all types of blinds and can be measured following the instructions listed below.
How to Measure for Recess Fitting Blinds
1. From wall to wall, measure the width of the window recess in 3 places: at the top, middle, and bottom. If the measurements are different at any point, make sure to note the shortest measurement. This is to ensure that the blind can fit comfortably within the space from top to bottom, without getting stuck between the sides.
2. Next, measure from the top of the recess to the windowsill to get the drop-down measurement. Like the first measurement, do this in 3 separate places: the left side, middle, and right side. But instead of using the shortest measurement, write down the longest measurement instead, to ensure your blinds cover the full length of the window.
What is Face or Exact Fitting?
Measuring your window in face—or exact measurement—means that you measure your window from outside the recess. This is done for blinds you want to hang over the window instead of inside the alcove. Face fitting is a popular choice for roller blinds and roman blind designs. It allows you to reduce the light coming around the edges of the blind fabric. Face fitting can be especially useful in bedrooms where you want to minimise the amount of light interference you experience while sleeping.
For those who want to hang their blinds outside the window recess, the process is easy! Face fitting is suitable for all types of blinds and can be measured following the instructions below.
How to Measure for Face Fitting Blinds
1. First, decide where you want your blinds to be and measure the exact width of the space. After this, add roughly 50mm to your calculations as overlap to make sure the blinds’ coverage is sufficient. Note the measurement with the 50mm included.
2. Next, measure from the top of the window, where you want your blinds to hang, to the bottom, where you want them to rest. The exact drop should also include a 50mm overlap when written down.
If you’re buying your blinds through NZ Blinds, please note that we assume that the measurement you give us for face fitting is taken from outside the bracket. If you are buying roller blinds, this means that the fabric will be approximately 30mm narrower than the measurement you provide.
Measuring Your Roller Blinds with NZ Blinds
We hope this cleared things up and that you can measure your windows confidently! For more information about how to measure features with specific requirements like corner windows, French doors, or sliding doors, refer to our handy measuring guide. If you’re still looking for the right blinds for your home, explore our range online. We provide some of the highest quality Venetian blinds and roller blinds in NZ. We’re sure they’ll measure up to your expectations!