By Jason Donlon, Millennium Blinds
Off the shelf blinds are tempting. They are cheap, they are in stock and you can carry one out of the shop today. The trouble starts when you get it home and realise your window is not one of the handful of standard sizes the shop stocks. What follows is usually a compromise that you look at every single day.
A window is rarely a standard size
Older South African homes in particular are full of windows that have shifted over the years. A frame that measures 1180mm at the top might be 1172mm at the sill. An off the shelf blind cannot flex to meet that, so you either force a blind that is slightly too wide or settle for one that is too narrow and lets in light down the sides. A made to measure blind is cut to your window to the millimetre, which is why the finish looks built in rather than added on.
What you actually pay for
The price gap between ready made and made to measure is smaller than most people think once you account for the things that matter. With a custom blind you choose the exact fabric, the control side, the mounting position and the operating mechanism. You also get components that are specified for the size of your window rather than a one size fits all tube that sags on a wide span. It is the difference between a blind that lasts a few seasons and one that keeps working for years.
How to measure your window
Measuring is easier than it sounds if you follow a simple rule. Decide first whether the blind will sit inside the window recess or outside it on the wall.
- For an inside fit measure the width in three places, at the top, middle and bottom, and use the narrowest. Measure the drop on both sides and use the longest.
- For an outside fit decide how much overlap you want on each side and at the top, then add that to the glass opening so the blind blocks light properly.
- Always use a steel tape rather than a fabric one and write down every figure in millimetres.
If you want a second opinion the folks at the Department of Energy have good background on why a snug fit also improves insulation, not just looks.
Let the tool do the hard part
Once you have your numbers our configurator walks you through fabric, colour and size and prices the blind for your exact opening. If you are still deciding on fabric you can order swatches through our sample service first. A blind is something you live with for a long time, so a proper fit is worth the little bit of extra care up front.
Browse the full range on our shop page when you are ready to start.
