Blinds Depth Requirements
Depth for inside mount blinds | Blinds are among the many window treatments that can be a worthy investment for any home. With slats that tilt, blinds let you control the amount of light that enters your room. They can also close fully to provide privacy and total room darkening.
Aside from their functionality, blinds also add aesthetic appeal to your windows. They’re also easy to clean and maintain.
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What is Ideal Depth for Inside Mount Blinds?
So now you want to install one for your home. You probably have also been told about doing an inside mount. What does that mean? Or it’d be better to ask if that can be done for your window.
To answer that, let’s go over the different mount types for blinds. Then we’ll check out the depth requirements for installing inside mount blinds and other window treatments. Lastly, we’ll look into considerations for mounting.
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Mount Types for Blinds
The way blinds are mounted is not just done for styling. It also affects the overall function of your window. Accurate measurements are crucial in determining which mount type is appropriate for your window.
Depth for Inside Mount Blinds
Inside mount is the most typical way of mounting blinds. The blinds are installed inside the window casing, giving it a clean flushed appearance. With an inside mount, your blinds will not get in the way of your curtains since they’re contained within a recess.
Note that you can’t do an inside mount when the depth between the glass and window casing is below ¾ inch. If your window has obstructions like handles, cranks, or alarm sensors, inside mount installation for your blinds is impossible.
Depth for Outside Mount Blinds
With an outside mount, you install the blinds outside the window frame or directly on the trim. This type of mount is best for windows with shallow frames. The blinds should be a bit wider than the window frame opening. They should be at least 3 inches longer and 2-4 inches wider than the window casing.
Outside mount installation has some advantages for your home. With the blinds surrounding the window opening, it could cover ugly trims, cracks, or any imperfections you don’t want to be seen. Since blinds are hung outside the window frame and close to the ceiling, an outside mount makes your window look larger and taller.
Depth for Semi-Inside Mount Blinds
Semi-inside or partial inside mount involves installing the blinds partially inside the window sill. Since the blinds are not placed all the way inside, they will not show a flushed appearance similar to an inside mount. This mount type requires a window frame to be at least 2 inches deep.
Depth Requirements for Window Treatments
Please keep in mind that different kinds of window treatments have unique depth requirements for inside mount installation.
Window Depth for Blinds
The ideal depth clearance for inside mount blinds generally spans around 1 to 5 inches. The suitable depth depends on the type of blinds you want for your window. For smaller types like aluminum blinds, a depth of 7/8 inch or less is needed for a snug fit that won’t protrude. For wood or vertical blinds which are larger, they might need 6 inches for a flush look.
To find out the depth of your window opening, measure the gap from front to back of the window casing. Round down the result to the nearest 1/8 inch. If there are cranks or handles, start measuring from there instead.
Window Depth for Roller Shades
The process for measuring the depth requirement of roller shades is the same with blinds. It depends on the depth of your window casing, and obstructions should also be taken into consideration. Check also if your window casing or frame is sturdy enough to be drilled straight into. The ideal depth clearance for roller shades ranges from ¾ to 2 inches.
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Window Depth for Honeycomb Shades
A minimum window depth of 1 inch or more is recommended for inside mount installation of honeycomb shades. Here are more specific depth clearances with corresponding shade sizes:
1 ½” depth for 3/8” and ½” honeycomb shades
2 ¼” depth for ¾” honeycomb shades
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Window Depth for Roman Shades
Generally, a minimum depth of 2 inches is required to install inside mount roman shades. Depending on specific product designs, the depth requirement can range from ¾” to 4 1/8”.
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Window Depth for Woven Shades
The minimum inside mount depth requirement for woven shades is 1 ¾”. Along with other factors, the needed depth for this type of window treatment can reach up to 4 ¼”.
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Window Depth for Plantation Shutters
For shutters, there should be a square opening and sufficient depth clearance to allow for an inside mount installation. You can check for a square window opening by measuring diagonally from one window corner to the opposite corner, forming an imaginary X. From that, you’ll get two measurements that should have a difference of less than ½ inch.
To measure window depth, start from the glass to the wall’s outer edge or window trim. If there are obstructions like cranks or handles, start measuring from its front instead. You should get at least the following depth clearances according to corresponding louver sizes:
1 ¼” depth for 2 ½” louvers
1 ¾” depth for 3 ½” louvers
2 ¼” depth for 4 ½” louvers
Other Mounting Considerations
There are also unique kinds of window treatments that may require special considerations.
Dual Shades
Dual shades are roller shades that combine two fabrics with different functions—light filtering and blackout. Just like regular roller shades, dual shades can either be inside or outside mount.
Layered with Curtains
If you’re considering adding more layers of curtains over your inside mount blinds, you might need a bigger window depth to accommodate all those window treatments inside the recess.
Final Thoughts on Depth for Inside Mount Blinds
Among the three window mount types, the inside mount may be the most appealing because it offers a clean and streamlined look that matches contemporary styles.
But window mounts are more than just about aesthetics. Not all windows can accommodate inside mounts. You can always check this guide to see if your window size and desired window treatment meet the depth requirement for an inside mount installation.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to consult with an expert.
