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What is the Divergence Between Inside and Outside Mountain Blinds?

Abigail Sawyer | 27 Feb 2020 | Window Treatments

If you're new to buying window treatments, i decision you'll need to make before measuring or placing your order is inside mount vs exterior mountain. Read on to notice out what these mount styles are and when to employ them.

graphic showing the difference between inside mount and outside moutn blinds installation

Should I Install My Blinds as Within Mount or Outside Mount?

As long equally your window frame has enough depth to mount blinds inside the opening, we about ever recommend an within mountain. An outside mount (installing the blinds on the wall or trim to a higher place the window) is usually just recommended when windows are besides shallow to mount inside or when at that place are obstructions like a window crank.

measuring depth of window sill

When deciding inside mount vs. outside mountain, the first thing you lot should do is mensurate the depth of your window frame. This must exist theunobstructed depth. Check your window for obstructions like cranks, handles, alarm sensors, and tile or trim that wraps into the window opening.

Measure from where these obstructions terminate to the edge of the window molding or drywall. For double hung windows, exist sure that you measure from the farthest protruding pane to the edge of the trim. Check the product specifications for the blinds or shades you'd like to lodge to discover out if y'all have enough unobstructed depth to use an inside mount.

window latch handle

If yous take tile that wraps from the wall into your window opening and forms an obstruction, talk to a Blinds.com designer about how to guild your treatments with a tile cutting out.

What is an Inside Mount?

An within mountain is when blinds or shades are installed inside the summit of the window frame. The window treatment brackets are either screwed into the 'ceiling' of the window opening or sides.

Installing window treatments as an within mountain gives your windows a clean, finished look, allows blinds or shades to be flush with the trim or wall, and doesn't cover decorative molding.

living room with grey couch, arched windows and black blinds

When Should You Install Blinds with an Inside Mount?

We recommend choosing an within mount for 95% of our customers unless window depth or obstructions prevent them from doing then. Most inside mounts require a few inches of window depth to anchor the brackets on. Check the specification section on your particular production for the exact depth required. This department will list minimum depth and fully recessed depth requirements.

If your windows only accept the minimum depth, youtin can install your treatments, but the headrail may stick out slightly beyond the trim. If your windows have the fully recessed depth, y'all'll exist able to ready your blinds back far enough so the headrail is flush with the wall or trim.

measuring top of window opening with tape measure

How to Measure out for Within Mount Blinds

If yous've decided that an within mountain is right for your window, measure out theexact size of the window opening from edge to edge, with the instructions for your handling fashion in our measuring guide. Do not subtract from the size of your window opening when placing your society. We'll make any necessary deductions at the manufacturing plant to make certain your blinds can enhance and lower without rubbing the sides of the window.

Would you lot rather go out the measuring to a pro? Acquire more than near our professional measure and install services.

What is an Outside Mount?

An exterior mountain is when blinds or shades are installed on the wall higher up the window or directly on the window trim. Blinds or shades are made larger than the window opening for complete coverage. This mount manner may be selected when in that location'due south not enough window depth to mount inside, or when yous want more coverage to darken a room.

white blinds installed on window trim

When Should Yous Install Blinds with an Outside Mount?

An exterior mount is recommended when window frames are too shallow for mounting hardware to be installed, or when there are obstructions like window cranks, security sensors, tile or trim that prevent your treatments from lowering all the style.

Some customers also cull an exterior mount if they want to block more than lite. Inside mounted blinds and shades tin can take small gaps on the side that allow some light in. Making the blinds larger than the window roofing and mounting on the wall above tin can provide more than complete coverage. This is a great solution for nurseries, bedrooms, or media rooms. For more than information virtually how to cake light, read our mail: How to Block Light From The Sides of Blinds.

An outside mounted shade can be used to camouflage odd-shaped or off-center windows. Some even mount their shades college than window opening to requite the illusion of taller windows and draw the eye up. This play tricks works especially well when draperies are layered on top of shades.

home office with woven wood shades installed above window

This mount is also a great solution if you'd similar to muffle windows without decorative molding or embrace molding you don't like.

woman in red striped shirt measuring space above window to install blinds

How to Measure for Outside Mount Blinds

In order to become full coverage, outside mountain window treatments are fabricated several inches larger than the window opening on all sides. Nosotros recommend calculation most 2″ on all sides, just exist certain to follow the outside mount measuring instructions in our guide when placing your club.

Unlike within mount measurements, for an outside mountain, y'all provide the verbal dimensions y'all desire your blinds or shades to be. We do not take whatever deductions at the factory.

Would you rather leave the measuring to a pro? Learn more about our professional measure out and install services.

Why Not Try Both? Within and Exterior Mountain Shades for a Layered Look

Some customers want to give windows versatility past layering ii window treatments. In order to become this look, yous can install the base of operations treatment every bit an inside mount and the top equally an outside mount.

bedroom with brown roman shades and sheer roller shades

For your base of operations layer, y'all can utilise sheer roller shades equally pictured above, or coma shades equally seen below.

farmhouse kitchen with roman shades installed over blackout roller shades

Have More Questions About How to Mountain your Blinds?

Our blueprint team can assist you lot determine which option is best for your style and window specifications. Attain them at 866-781-9161 or past email and live conversation.

  • About Author

    Abigail Sawyer is the Manager of Social Media Marketing for Blinds.com. She's a home comeback junkie who is currently restoring a 1972 cottage with the help of her husband and goldendoodle, Beige. Walking in the footsteps of Martha Stewart, she's happiest when she's crafting or whipping up a new recipe; although nothing beats crimper up with a good volume and some Girl Sentry Cookies. Follow her on twitter + instagram at @whatabigailsaw

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