Advice & Guides

Measuring & Fitting

Inside or outside the recess? What we check on site, and why professional measuring helps avoid costly mistakes.

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Inside or outside the recess?

The first decision is whether the blind sits inside the recess (the opening the window sits in) or outside it, on the wall. Both work well — it depends on what you need from the room.

Inside: a neat, built-in look, though it leaves small gaps at the sides.
Outside: covers more of the window, so it's better for darkness and for shallow recesses.

What we check on site

When we come out to measure, we check:

The recess width at several points, because recesses are rarely perfectly square.
The depth, so there's room for brackets and handles.
Anything in the way, such as handles, tiles, sills or radiators.
Which side you'd like the controls on.
Whether Perfect Fit® or door-mounted blinds suit the frame.

Why professional measuring helps

Made-to-measure products can't usually be altered once they're made, so getting the measurements right first time matters. Having the same team measure and fit means responsibility for the fit stays in one place — if anything isn't right, you only need to speak to us.

Measuring for different products

Each type of window covering is measured a little differently, which is one reason we take the measurements ourselves rather than asking you to.

Roller, Roman and pleated blinds: we allow for the fabric, the headrail (the bar at the top the blind hangs from) and the brackets, so the blind clears handles and sits evenly in the space.
Venetian and vertical blinds: we check the slats or louvres have room to tilt without catching on the handles or the glass.
Framed blinds: Perfect Fit® blinds are measured to the window frame itself, not the recess, because they clip into the beading (the strip that holds the glass in place).
Shutters: window shutters need careful checks of depth, handles and the squareness of the opening, as the panels need room to open and close freely.

Common measuring mistakes

If you've measured windows yourself before, these are the slip-ups we see most often:

Measuring once: walls and recesses are rarely straight, so a single measurement can be too wide at the top or bottom.
Forgetting the handles: window handles that stick out can stop a blind or shutter hanging flat, or stop slats turning.
Ignoring the window opening: tilt-and-turn windows (windows that open inwards from the side or tip in at the top) need special care. There's more on this in our guide to blinds for tilt and turn windows.
Not thinking about the controls: a chain or wand on the wrong side can end up behind a sofa, a plant or a kitchen tap.
Rounding numbers: made-to-measure blinds are made to the measurements given, so a small rounding error can make a noticeable difference.

What happens on fitting day

When your blinds are ready, we'll give you a call to arrange a convenient time. On the day, our fitter will:

Check each blind against the window it was made for.
Fix the brackets securely, taking care around tiles, plaster and window frames.
Fit any child-safety devices supplied, such as chain tensioners (small fittings that keep the chain taut against the wall).
Test every blind, adjust it where needed and show you how it works.
Tidy up before they leave.

It helps if you can clear sills and move furniture away from the windows before we arrive, but we're happy to help with anything awkward. You can read more about the whole process on our how it works page.

We measure and fit in homes across Stockton-on-Tees, Yarm, Middlesbrough and the wider Teesside area, so whether it's one window or a whole house, the same team looks after it from start to finish.

Common questions

Can I measure for made-to-measure blinds myself?

You can, but because made-to-measure blinds usually can't be altered once they're made, a small mistake can be costly. When we measure, responsibility for the fit stays with us.

What if my window recess isn't square?

That's very common. We measure at several points and allow for it, and we'll talk you through whether an inside or outside fit will look best.

Can blinds be fitted without drilling into my window frames?

Perfect Fit® blinds clip into the frame of many uPVC windows without drilling or screws. We check at the appointment whether your windows are suitable.