Record useful window measurements for a blinds quote. Learn recess versus outside mounting, handle checks and why final order sizes need confirmation.
A quick measurement can help you request an initial quote. It should not become a final manufacturing instruction by accident. Before taking out the tape, decide whether you are recording the window opening or an agreed finished blind size: they are not always the same.
What you need before you start
Use a reliable tape measure, somewhere to record the figures and a camera. Work from a safe position; do not lean outside or climb on unstable furniture. Label each opening with a room name or number so that photographs, sizes and the quote remain matched.
Record width first and height second, with the unit written beside both. Centimetres are useful for an initial enquiry, but follow the supplier’s required units for an order. Avoid rounding a difficult dimension or silently converting between centimetres and millimetres.
For a recess: record all the opening measurements
Measure the opening width at the top, middle and bottom. Measure its height at the left, centre and right. Keep all six readings, and note that these are opening dimensions. Differences can matter in deep stone reveals and older timber openings, where surfaces may not be square.
Do not subtract a guessed fitting allowance. Different blind systems use different deductions, and a fabric width may differ from the full unit width. Send the full readings so the supplier can decide which dimension controls the proposed fit. A simple ‘use the smallest number’ instruction is not a universal ordering rule for every blind.
Check depth, handles and opening movement
Record the usable recess depth and photograph any handles, vents, hinges or obstructions. Open the window fully and check where moving sections travel. The blind must clear the handle in normal use, not merely fit between two walls when the window is shut.
Also look above the opening and at the sides. Note existing curtain rails, shutters, sockets and any surface that may affect the bracket position. The fitter must assess suitable fixing points; a photograph and measurements cannot confirm what is behind a wall.
For outside mounting: agree the coverage first
Measure the opening, then discuss how far the proposed blind should cover the surrounding wall. The overlap can help with coverage, but the amount depends on available space, obstructions and the system. There is no single number that should be added to every window.
For a roller, ask whether the ordered width is the overall unit or the fabric. For tracks and curtains, ask how stacking space changes the arrangement. If light control is important, ask where the fabric edges will sit rather than comparing only the overall width.
Doors and multiple windows need a layout
For balcony doors, say which panel opens and where you walk through. Mark any separate blinds on a photograph so that the supplier can check alignment, controls and gaps. Record each window individually, even when several look the same.
Tell the supplier which side you prefer for controls and whether children use the room. Do not position a chain or cord on the basis of appearance alone: operation and the final installation need to follow the product’s instructions and appropriate safety requirements.
Send a complete enquiry, then confirm the final fit
A useful enquiry contains labelled photos, all readings, room use, preferred blind type and any existing fittings you want to keep. For a bedroom, mention darkness; for an office, mention glare; for doors, mention access. See our blinds range if you are still choosing.
The Home Gallery offers free measurement across Malta and Gozo. Ask us to confirm the final dimensions, mounting, fabric and installation in the written quote before manufacturing begins. You can send preliminary details on WhatsApp and arrange a visit from there.
Read our general guide to choosing blinds for your home.
Sources and editorial note
Information checked on 19 October 2026. Confirm your product specification before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Should I subtract anything from recess measurements?
Not unless the supplier’s instructions for the exact product tell you to. Record the opening measurements and let the supplier specify deductions.
Is fabric width the same as blind width?
Not necessarily. A roller’s overall unit can be wider than its fabric because of brackets and the mechanism.
Can I use my measurements to request a quote?
Yes, for an initial estimate. Confirm whether the supplier needs opening or finished dimensions, and have final fitting sizes checked before manufacture.