Window blinds can really make the difference between a bland room and a room that makes people say wow. Measuring for those blinds can make the difference between a well dressed window and an eyesore. Here we will detail the steps to correctly measure a window for custom made blinds and shades.

The first step in measuring a window is to use the right tool. You will need a steel tape measure. Cloth tape measures can bow and sag and should not be used. You will be measuring with a steel tape to the nearest 1/8". You should measure each window individually and record the measurement as width x height. This is the standard way of communicating measurements in the industry. You will need to decide first if you want inside mount blinds or outside mount blinds.


MEASURING FOR INSIDE MOUNT BLINDS AND SHADES

Inside mount blinds are installed inside the window casing. They may need a certain depth in order to sit flush with the casing. Make sure the blinds that you pick out will fit inside your casings.

To measure for inside mount blinds you are going to use the steel tape to measure from left to right in three places on the window. Measure from inside edge of casing to inside edge of casing. Record the smallest measurement to the nearest 1/8". Do the same for the height of the window measuring from top to bottom. MEASURING FOR OUTSIDE MOUNT BLINDS

Outside mount blinds are installed outside the window casing. They cover the window completely and are used to make it look larger or hide an unsightly window. Again, you are going to measure the window with a steel tape.

First measure the width of the window from outside edge of casing to outside edge of casing. Add 3" onto this measurement for an overlap of 1.5" on either side. Next, measure the exact height to be covered, normally from the top edge of the window casing to the bottom edge or the sill.

MEASURING FOR ARCHED WINDOWS

Arched windows are tricky to measure. This is because they are nearly never perfect arches. If they are the measurement is easy. You simply record the width of the window base and the half that as the height. If they are not perfect semicircles then it is best to make a paper template to send to the blinds company.

CONCLUSION

In order to achieve a good impression in your home you must have professional looking window treatments. Professionalism is a byproduct of taking your time and measuring right in order to custom fit blinds and shades to your home. With these tips in hand you should be able to confidently measure your blinds and get your order processed quickly and correctly.

By: Clint Miller
Clint Miller is an avid do-it-yourselfer who together with his wife has completed dozens of home improvement projects in the process of revitalizing their first home. He has written several published articles and regularly updates his website to include DIY tips and tricks along with articles, home improvement news and project updates. It can be found at http://diyda.blogspot.com.

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Wood blinds have been one of the most popular window covering sold in today’s market. For some consumers wood window blinds add an appeal that no other window blinds can offer. They are a perfect compliment to other wood furnishings in a room and exude elegance and wealth. But for those consumers that find wood blinds out of their price range, faux wood window blinds are a perfect alternative and a great way to get the elegant look of wood blinds without breaking your budget.

There is no right or wrong answer as to what is better but depends on your personal preference and situation, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each. A big plus for faux wood blinds is that they are often less costly than real wood and the lower price opens the market to a wider audience. Wood blinds are more expensive but a majority of realtors agree that real wood blinds can increase the resell value of a home.

Faux wood blinds are recommended for high humidity environments and rooms that are subject to moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. This is due to the fact you do not have to worry about warping, cracking or splitting is these high humidity environments. They are easy to maintain and extremely durable.

Wood blinds have a wide selection of sizes, colors and stains whereas faux wood has a limited color selection. Both types of blinds effectively control outside light and are an effective means for maintaining your privacy.

Faux wood blinds are available either in solid vinyl or in a combination of vinyl and wood. A greater number of supporting ladders are required for faux wood to keep the shape of the blind than with wood. This can dramatically reduce your view and if you want cloth tapes your blinds can end up looking far too cluttered.

It’s very hard to tell faux wood blinds from real wood blinds as they’ve come a long way in the past decade. No longer do they scream that I’m fake! So the choice is a personal one and is unique to your situation. For some consumers plastic will not do for them and they desire real wood. Others desire the carefree maintenance and lower price of faux wood. The choice is yours!

By: Carol Coutts
Carol Coutts is a successful author who provides information regarding home décor via http://www.windowshadesblind.com. For more information on wood blinds and faux wood blinds check out windowshadesblind.com/wood-blinds.html

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When dressing a window in your home you should consider all the available alternatives, whether curtains, panel track blinds or vertical blinds.

Amongst the various choices you have to give your windows some privacy or to shade the bright sun, panel track blinds are a great alternative to consider. As many people are put off by the difficulty of installing vertical blinds, curtains are becoming obsolete. This is why you should really consider panel track blinds.

For a low cost they will give your home a great design touch that is suitable for many rooms and very easy to use. These blinds can really add to your home décor in many ways. For instance you can use them as part of your overall design scheme to anchor the look of the room or you can give a room an air of romance as they soften the light. Whatever the feature you are after, their ease of use compared to vertical blinds should make panel track blind a very solid contender when considering your options.

What Panel Track Blinds Have To Offer

By the simple way they are constructed, panel track blinds offer many options for your home. For instance, if you have a very large window in one of your rooms it can be impractical and very costly to install drapes. What would be a difficult DIY project becomes a very straightforward job with panel tracks, even if the expanse of window to dress is significant.

One of the great things with panel track blinds is the vast variety of materials on offer. For instance you will find some that are made of woven woods, such as bamboo, yarns and various other types of woods that can give a room an exotic look. They come in 16 weaves. There are also solar blinds that are made of woven PVC, poly or fiberglass: this particular type of track panels can instantly give your room a very modern, contemporary look. Another great feature to look for in panel tracks is that they are available in many colors. For a more industrial look, you can chose woven fiberglass panels with a vinyl coating. All in all there are very many options to choose from to add a touch of prestige to your home.

Another great advantage if the panel track blinds over other window dressing option is how easy they are to use. They make a grand design statement in any room and their graceful, elegant style will help transform the space into a beautiful room. For great results you should always take your time when selecting the color and material that will work best with your room décor and the wood of your windows. A fine quality product is always a good investment for your home.

By: Andrew Caxton
Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on this subject for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com A website with tips on prestige blinds, amongst many related topics.

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