Measure roller blinds with confidence

A trade-ready field guide for recess-fit and face-fit openings. Work through one installation route at a time and record every dimension exactly as measured.

Set up your measuring kit

Materials

a rigid metal tape measure
a stable step ladder
a pen and a dimension sheet

Check the opening before you measure

Have you decided how your blinds will be fitted?

This is where the fun begins. If you've already chosen the perfect roller blind for your space, you're ready to move ahead. If not, don't worry—we'll guide you through all the available options below to support you find the right fit.

Do you have a standard-sized window?

Our standard roller blinds are available from 600 mm to 3000 mm wide and 400 mm to 3300 mm high. If the window opening is wider than 3000 mm, take a inspect our linked roller blinds, which can span widths of up to 6 metres.

What surface will your blinds be fixed to?

Our blinds can be mounted to most surfaces, but it's always a good idea to check your fixing points first. Timber window frames and wall studs are typically the easiest and most reliable surfaces to install into.

Have you considered motorised or magic spring blinds?

For a cleaner, safer and more convenient alternative to chain-operated blinds, consider motorised or Magic Spring cordless roller blinds. Both options eliminate chains and cords for a streamlined look and improved child safety. Motorised blinds operate at the touch of a button, while Magic Spring blinds can be raised and lowered by hand using a concealed spring mechanism.

Get Free Samples Delivered

Nothing beats seeing the fabric in your own home. Order free samples to compare colours, textures and finishes before making your final decision.

Choose the installation route, then follow every numbered step in sequence.

Why Select a Recess Fit?

• Our most popular mounting option, favoured for its clean, built-in finished look.

• Produces a sleek, streamlined look by positioning the blind neatly inside the window opening.

• Showcases attractive architraves, trims, and window details instead of covering them.

• Helps windows appear more refined while creating a greater sense of space inside the room.

Why Select a Face Fit?

• Provides greater coverage to help reduce light gaps and improve privacy.

• Produces the illusion of a larger window by extending beyond the window opening.

• Conceals out-of-square, out-of-square, or less attractive window frames and surrounds.

• Ideal for windows with handles, winders, locks, or other obstructions that may interfere with a recess installation.

• A popular choice for bedrooms and media rooms where enhanced blockout performance is desired.

Please Important: This guide is intended for standard windows only. If you’re measuring for sliding doors, French doors, bay windows, corner windows, or any other non-standard application, please refer to the applicable section further down this measuring page or contact our team for assistance.

Route 01Inside the frame or tight between two walls – Recess fitView every step →

Route 02Outside the frame – Face fit with architraveView every step →

Route 03Outside a frameless window – Face fit square setView every step →

Inside the window opening – Recess Fit

Blinds that sit inside the window frame are called recess fit blinds.

They create a seamless, modern look and are ideal for living areas. Customers often select light filtering or sunscreen fabrics for this style, as they soften the light while maintaining a clean finish.
Recess fit blinds can let a small amount of light through the sides, so they are typically most suitable on nice, deep windows with minimal obstructions. Front rolling blinds are typically recommended.
For effortless luxury, you can also add motorisation, with your choice of wired or battery-operated motors.

OK it's time to start measuring, let's take it step by step.

Measuring up is straightforward; we just need to know three things: your width and your drop dimensions, and which side you’d like your chain on. Here’s how to do it:

1 Check the window opening depth

Confirm there is at least 70 mm of depth between the glass and the edge of the window opening frame. This allows enough space for your roller blind to fit neatly inside the frame.

2 Measure your width

Measure the precise inside width of the window opening frame across the top, and write it down. We will deduct 2 mm from this dimension to confirm your blind fits neatly inside the reveal.

Please note that the fabric will be approximately 30–35 mm narrower than your bracket-to-bracket dimension.

3 Measure your drop

Measure the precise inside height of the window opening frame from top to bottom, and write it down. When your blind is fully lowered, it will sit neatly against the bottom of the frame.

4 Select your chain side

Decide which side you’d like the chain or control on. For the best user experience, select a side that is straightforward to reach, clear of furniture or obstacles, and as discreet as possible.

5 Order your custom-made blinds online

With your dimensions recorded, you’re ready to create your custom blinds online.

Outside the window opening – Face Fit with Architrave

Typically mounted to the face of the window frame for a neat, workable finish.
A popular choice for bedrooms, offering excellent privacy and light control.
Most clients select blockout fabrics to maximise darkness and comfort.
Ideal for windows with deep handles, locks, winders or other protruding obstructions.
Back rolling blinds are typically recommended where possible for improved coverage and a cleaner finished look.
Upgrade to motorisation for effortless operation and a luxurious finish, with both hardwired and battery-powered motor options available. Alternatively, select our Magic Spring cordless system for a clean, child-safe solution with no chains or cords.

Let’s start measuring for your face fit roller blind. We’ll go step by step.

Measuring is straightforward. We just need three details: your blind width, blind drop, and which side you’d like the chain or control to be on. Follow the steps below to get started.

1 Measure your width

Measure the full outside width of the window opening frame at the top and record this dimension. This will become your blind’s bracket-to-bracket width.

Please note that the fabric width will be approximately 30mm narrower than the overall bracket-to-bracket width to allow for the operating mechanism and brackets. Do not supply ‘cloth width’ dimensions.

2 Measure your drop

Measure from the top of the window opening frame down to where you’d like the blind to finish and record this dimension. Your blind can finish at the bottom of the window frame, just above the floor, or align with other blinds in the room for a consistent look.

For windows with a shorter drop, our trade team recommends extending the blind 100–200mm below the window sill for improved light control and a more balanced finished look.

3 Select your chain side

Decide which side you’d like the chain or control on. For the best user experience, select a side that is straightforward to reach, clear of furniture or obstacles, and as discreet as possible.

4 Order your custom-made blinds online.

With your dimensions recorded, you’re ready to create your custom blinds online.

Outside the window opening – Face Fit w/ no Architrave (Frameless Window)

Blinds fitted outside a frameless window are known as a Face Fit on a frameless window.

Typically mounted directly to wall studs for maximum strength when fitting on plaster walls.
Can also be fitted onto concrete, brick, stone, or tiled surfaces.
An excellent choice for bedrooms, where improved light control is essential.
Most clients select blockout fabrics for enhanced privacy and darkness.
Reduces light leakage around the sides compared to a recess fit.
Ideal for clearing window winders, handles, and other protruding obstructions.
Our trade team recommends a back-roll configuration where possible for the best finished look and window coverage.
Upgrade to motorisation for effortless operation, with both battery-powered and hardwired motor options available.

Let’s start measuring for your face fit (Frameless window) roller blind. We’ll go step by step.

Measuring up is straightforward; we just need to know three things: your width and your drop dimensions, and which side you’d like your chain on. Here’s how to do it:

1 Measure your width

Measure the precise outside width of the window opening across the top and record this dimension.

To improve light control and reduce light gaps down the sides, add at least 100mm to your measured width. This will become your bracket-to-bracket width.

As an example, if the window opening measures 1510mm wide, adding 100mm gives you an order width of 1610mm.

For even better coverage, you may select to add more than 100mm where space allows.

Please note that the blind fabric will be approximately 30–35mm narrower than the bracket-to-bracket width due to the operating mechanisms at each end of the blind.

2 Measure your drop

Measure the precise outside width of your window frame across the top and write it down. This dimension will be your bracket-to-bracket width.

Please note that the fabric will be approximately 30-35mm narrower than your bracket-to-bracket dimension.

Example: if the window opening opening drop measures 1200 mm, add 100 mm above the opening and allow the blind to extend around 250 mm past the bottom of the opening. Your total drop to order would be 1550 mm.

3 Select your chain side

Decide which side you’d like the chain or control on. For the best user experience, select a side that is straightforward to reach, clear of furniture or obstacles, and as discreet as possible.

4 Order your custom-made blinds online.

With your dimensions recorded, you’re ready to create your custom blinds online.

Trade notes before you order

• Always label your dimensions as “Width” and “Drop”, and in this order to avoid accidentally mixing them up.

• Please provide only the precise dimensions requested. Your blinds will be custom-made to suit your specifications.

• For recess-fit blinds, we apply all necessary manufacturing allowances, so there’s no need for you to make any deductions. Face-fit roller blinds are manufactured to the precise bracket-to-bracket size you provide.

• Measure every window individually. Even windows that appear identical can vary slightly in size, and measuring each one helps confirm a perfect fit throughout the project.

• Every home is different. If anything is unclear about any part of the measuring process, our team is always available to provide advice and assistance.

Alternative to a Double Roller Blind: Install two separate roller blinds on the same window—one mounted inside the recess and a second face-fit blind mounted in front as an under-roll. For a premium finish, you can also add a pelmet over the top.

If selecting this option, confirm the inside blind sits fully inside the window recess and doesn’t protrude into the room. This typically needs a minimum recess depth of 70mm to accommodate the blind mechanism completely inside the opening.

Understanding Light Gaps with Recess-Fit Roller Blinds

All recess-fit roller blinds will have a small gap between the fabric and the sides of the window recess. This is necessary to allow room for the brackets, control mechanism, and operating components.

As a guide, you can expect approximately:

20mm gap on the control (chain) side
10–20mm gap on the opposite (pin) side

The precise gap can vary based on the blind size, operating system, and how square the window opening opening is. Windows that are out of square may make these gaps appear larger.

It’s also worth noting that the glass itself typically sits inside a window frame instead of extending all the way to the edge of the recess, which often helps reduce the visual impact of these light gaps.

Looking for Maximum Privacy & Blockout?

If light gaps are a concern—especially in bedrooms, nurseries, or theatre rooms—consider one of the following alternatives:

Add curtains to cover the side light gaps and enhance blockout performance.
Opt for a full blockout cassette blind.
Select a face-fit under-roll roller blind, which can provide greater coverage than a recess installation.
Combine two blinds on the same window, including a recess-mounted screen or light-filtering blind with a face-fit blockout blind mounted in front.
Consider alternative window furnishings including shutters, or Venetian blinds, which may provide a more enclosed fit.

Measure roller blinds with confidence

A trade-ready field guide for recess-fit and face-fit openings. Work through one installation route at a time and record every dimension exactly as measured.

Set up your measuring kit

Materials

Check the opening before you measure

Have you decided how your blinds will be fitted?

Do you have a standard-sized window?

What surface will your blinds be fixed to?

Have you considered motorised or magic spring blinds?

Get Free Samples Delivered

Choose the installation route, then follow every numbered step in sequence.

Why Select a Recess Fit?

Why Select a Face Fit?

Inside the window opening – Recess Fit

OK it's time to start measuring, let's take it step by step.

1

Check the window opening depth

2

Measure your width

3

Measure your drop

4

Select your chain side

5

Order your custom-made blinds online

Outside the window opening – Face Fit with Architrave

Let’s start measuring for your face fit roller blind. We’ll go step by step.

1

Measure your width

2

Measure your drop

3

Select your chain side

4

Order your custom-made blinds online.

Outside the window opening – Face Fit w/ no Architrave (Frameless Window)

Let’s start measuring for your face fit (Frameless window) roller blind. We’ll go step by step.

1

Measure your width

2

Measure your drop

3

Select your chain side

4

Order your custom-made blinds online.

Trade notes before you order

Understanding Light Gaps with Recess-Fit Roller Blinds

Looking for Maximum Privacy & Blockout?

Ready to install?

How to install roller blinds

Need help before you submit the order?