Having decided to tackle the improvement of window openings on their own, a novice craftsman may be faced with the question of how to measure blinds for plastic windows. This procedure requires maximum care and precision from the performer, since even small errors can negatively affect the appearance of the window, as well as reduce the efficiency and functionality of the future design. Therefore, it is necessary to consider what needs to be taken into account when measuring the parameters of a window opening and how to correctly complete the task with your own hands.
Types of blinds and methods of installing them
Before measuring the blinds, it is necessary to select their type to match the existing one and think over the method of attaching the product to the window, because the calculation procedure will depend on these factors.
According to their design features, all blinds are divided into 3 types:
- Vertical. They are the most popular products. They consist of vertical slats connected to each other with a strong thread or fishing line. When opened, the panels move to the left or right, which frees up the window sill for flowerpots, flowers or other decorative elements.
- Horizontal. Their slats rise to the upper part of the window opening to a certain height. This allows you to control the level of light in the room.
- Rolled. They are made of thick fabric and resemble ordinary ones in appearance.
There are several ways to install blinds:
- directly into the window opening - the lamella structure will cover only the frame, and the slopes will remain open;
- over the opening - the cornice is mounted on the wall or ceiling above the window;
- on the sash - the product is attached to a plastic frame.
Vertical blinds are installed on top of a window or in a window opening. Horizontal and roll structures can be mounted using any of the above options. It is necessary to consider how to correctly measure blinds on a plastic window for each mounting method.
Determining the mounting method
Before measuring the window, you need to decide on the method of fastening the structure being installed.
If you follow the instructions, you can install the curtains in a matter of minutes.
To do this, you can use the following recommendations:
- Vertical fastening can be done inside the opening or directly to the wall, depending on how the plastic window was installed.
- Vertical structures must be fastened in such a way that there is a minimum distance of more than 50 mm from the floor.
- If you plan to install blinds overlapping the window opening, then you need to be prepared for the fact that part of the window sill will be occupied by its structure.
- When attaching a vertical structure, the width is selected so that the canvas protrudes beyond the window by at least 15 cm.
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Fastening in the window opening should be carried out so that the window sill is not touched by the canvas, that is, it is necessary to make a height indent of 20 mm. It is necessary to determine in advance the opening direction of the blinds and select a mechanism.
Measuring vertical blinds
If you need to hide slanted slopes or part of a water pipe behind slatted curtains, the preferred option would be to install blinds over the window opening. In this case, you need to measure the dimensions of the fabric to order as follows:
- Determine the width of the window (from left to right slope). Repeat this procedure several times in different areas of the opening. To order blinds, all dimensions must be accurate and rounded to the nearest millimeter.
- Add 200 mm to the resulting figure (100 mm on each side).
- Measure the height of the opening (from the top slope to the window sill).
- If the cornice will be attached to the ceiling, calculate the distance from the window to the ceiling and add it to the first value. Next, decide how far the slats will go down from the window sill, and also add this value.
- When fixing the cornice to the wall, add 100-200 mm to the height of the window.
Having finished taking measurements and double-checking the result obtained several times, you can submit an application for the manufacture of blinds. When placing an order and agreeing on all details, you need to take into account the length of the window sill. If it protrudes more than 60 mm from the opening, you will need an extended bracket to install the structure.
Blinds mounted in the opening will look beautiful along with smooth slopes. This method of fastening is also advisable if there is furniture near the window or if the room is small.
In this case, to calculate the dimensions of the lamella structure, you first need to measure the window in width and height. Next, subtract 10 mm from the first number, and 20-30 mm from the second (here everything depends on the width of the cornice). Double-check your results. If it matches the previous value, then everything was done correctly.
Measurement Rules
To select and buy suitable roller blinds, you need to measure the window correctly. To do this, you need to find out the following parameters:
- Width. For correct measurement, indicate the width from the joint of the bead to the frame on one side, and the joint of the bead to the frame on the other side - this will be the width of the fabric. In roller blinds with an open type mechanism, the overall width of the roller blind will be 38 mm larger than the width of the fabric due to the upper side mounting fasteners. The roller blind measured in this way completely covers the double-glazed window and the window bead, which ensures maximum overlap of the opening.
- Height. To correctly measure a fabric roller shutter, indicate the size from the joint of the bead to the frame at the bottom to the joint of the bead to the frame at the top. The size of the roller shutter mechanism is added to the height of the fabric and is about 70mm (36mm roller shutter +34mm bottom space).
It is worth paying attention to the depth of the roller blind mechanism, which is approximately 36 mm. It is necessary to take into account the distance from the edge of the roller shutter mechanism to the slope. The opening angle of the window depends on this distance.
To correctly measure the width of roller blinds with flat guides, it is necessary to measure the following parameters:
- The width of the opening at the junction of the glazing bead to the double-glazed window (width of the fabric).
- Width along the edge of the bead (width of the box).
- Bead depth. It must be at least 10 mm, since the fabric should not touch the glass unit.
- Bead width. It must be greater than 10 mm, since the minimum width of double-sided tape for guides is 9 mm.
- Height. To correctly measure the roller shutter fabric, indicate the size from the joint of the bead to the frame from below to the joint of the bead to the frame from above.
It is worth paying attention to the depth of the roller shutter box, which should be 36 mm and a height of 70 mm. It is necessary to take into account the distance from the edge of the roller shutter mechanism in the slope, since the opening angle of the window depends on this distance.
To do this, it is recommended to have an installation kit with you during measurements to demonstrate the opening to the customer. The decision whether this system is suitable for a particular window is made directly by the measurer.
To measure closed roller blinds with U-shaped guides, you first need to find out the width. For correct measurements, indicate the width from the junction of the bead to the frame on one side, and to the junction of the bead and frame on the other side - this will be the width of the roller shutter along the edge of the guides. The overall width of the roller shutter will be 20 mm wider than the guides.
To correctly measure the height of a fabric roller shutter, indicate the size from the junction of the glazing bead and the frame at the bottom to the junction of the glazing bead and the frame at the top. The distance from the slope on top of the window frame to the junction of the glazing bead and the frame (for fixed windows) must be at least 35 mm.
Designers prefer to use roller blinds in modern home interiors. They are especially suitable for residential premises where active people with a modern outlook on life live. Their advantage is that you can choose any pattern, design and high-quality fabric for production.
To learn how to install a roller blind on a plastic window, see the following video.
Measuring the parameters of horizontal and roller blinds
The procedure for measuring the dimensions of horizontal and roller blinds is not much different from carrying out a similar operation with vertical curtains. If the structure will be mounted on top of a window opening, then 50-100 mm should be added to the height of the window. The width of the product should be 10-20 mm larger than the window.
To install blinds in the opening, the length and width of the finished structure is selected 5-10 mm less than similar window sizes.
For opening plastic windows, the method of attaching the cornice directly to the sash is often used. Thanks to this, you can open the window at any time without the need to re-fold/unfold the slats.
To measure the parameters of the future product installed on the sash, you will need:
- Measure the width of the sash to the far cut of the plastic bead in several places and select the largest value. Using the same principle, find out the height of the sash.
- Add 10-15 mm to the first number, and 30-35 mm to the second.
- If necessary, perform similar operations for the second leaf.
Mini roller blinds
This type of curtain is popular due to its affordable price and ease of installation. The material is wound onto an open shaft, and uniform stretching of the canvas in the horizontal plane is ensured by a weighting agent located along the entire length of the lower edge.
Recommendations for calculating the parameters of lamella curtains
In order for all calculations to be made with maximum accuracy, and the finished order to fit your window perfectly, when taking measurements you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
- when calculating the parameters of blinds, use a metal tape measure, because only it will allow you to achieve the most accurate result;
- round all numbers to the nearest millimeter;
- double-check the obtained values several times;
- when ordering remotely (for example, via telephone), the company employee first indicates the width of the product, and then the length.
Professional help
Practice shows that when measured, standard windows are not rectangular; their size varies slightly at different fixation points. For large sizes, roller blinds are needed specifically for panoramic glazing, the measurement of which is best entrusted to a specialist. For large-scale structures, it is necessary to take into account several attachment points and take measurements several times.
Unfortunately, window openings are often uneven, as are the windows themselves, even plastic ones.
For window openings of non-standard shape, only a specialist can determine the size measurement algorithm. For options with a rounded top part, it will be difficult to make blinds due to the way the roller blinds are attached. Measurements include determining the parameters of the circle, choosing a fastening method - this cannot be done without knowing exactly what tools and technologies the company has.
How to remove excess length of blinds?
Many hardware stores sell ready-made blinds with specific dimensions and color schemes. And if you like this or that product, but its dimensions are larger than required, you should not be upset, since in this case the extra centimeters can be removed yourself.
To shorten horizontal blinds in length, you must:
- determine the length of the web that needs to be removed;
- remove the plugs from the bottom bar, untie the restrictive knots and remove the clamps;
- remove excess slats, replace the clamps and tie knots on the guide ropes;
- cut the ropes, put on the decorative strip and install the plugs.
The width of the blade is removed using a hacksaw after dismantling the side strips. And if in the first case, after removing the excess elements, you can, if necessary, return them to their place, then trimming the lamellas is irrevocable. Therefore, blinds should be shortened only after careful calculations.
Removing excess length on vertical products is somewhat more difficult. Before shortening this type of blinds, you need to prepare the following tools:
- hacksaw for metal;
- roulette;
- stationery knife or scissors;
- screwdriver;
- iron.
First of all, place the blinds on a table or floor and remove the side bar by unscrewing a few screws. Remove the runners from the slats. Then use a tape measure to measure the excess length, leaving 20-25 mm for tucking the fabric, and cut it with a stationery knife or sharp scissors.
To prevent the fabric from fraying, tuck the cut edges and connect them together using glue or a heated iron. After this, make holes for the runners in the center of each plank, and then assemble the entire structure in reverse order.
To shorten vertical blinds in width, simply remove the side cover and remove the excess slats along with the runners.
