Topic hub
Measuring & Installation
The twenty minutes that decide whether a $300 custom order fits, because custom blinds are made-to-size and generally not returnable for a mismeasure. Inside mount or outside? Who applies the width deduction — you or the factory? Is the frame deep enough for the headrail? This hub is the workshop discipline: measure width and height in three places and take the smallest, confirm the deduction against the seller’s own measuring guide (their rule wins, not ours), and know the no-drill options that actually hold. Measure twice, order once — and let the seller’s guide settle every number before you check out.
Where to start
- Best Measuring & InstallHow to measure for inside and outside mounts, the deductions to confirm, and drill-free options that hold.
- Best Costs & BudgetThe per-window price league and whole-house math — sample strategy, sale timing, and DIY-vs-pro install cost.
- Best ComparisonsHead-to-heads on one ledger — cellular vs roller, wood vs faux, blackout vs room-darkening, motorized vs manual.
Comparisons
Glossary terms
- Inside Mount
- The blind sits inside the window frame — clean, built-in, and depth-dependent.
- Outside Mount
- Mounted on the wall or trim above the opening — forgiving and darker.
- Width Deduction
- The small amount a factory subtracts from an inside-mount width so it fits.
- Mount Depth
- How deep the window frame is — it decides what can inside-mount.
- Minimum vs Flush Depth
- The two depth numbers sellers publish — barely fits vs sits fully recessed.
- Light Gap
- The daylight leak around an inside-mounted shade — physics, not a defect.
- Out-of-Square Windows
- Openings that aren’t true rectangles — common, and a reason to measure everywhere.
- No-Drill / Tension Mount
- Damage-free mounting for renters — real, with limits worth knowing.
- Mounting Bracket
- The small hardware that holds the headrail — where most installs succeed or fail.
- Factory Tolerance
- The small size variance a custom blind can legitimately arrive at.
Reader favorites
The short list — full rankings live on the rankings page.
Graywind — Motorized Zebra Blinds, Classic Series (custom size)
4.4/5
$135.99
Check priceSmartWings — Motorized Roller Shades (custom size)
4.5/5
$159.99
Check price
Straight disclosure —Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes the price you pay, and it never changes a verdict.
4.5/5 average across vetted picks
60 guides published
2 offers vetted
1 reader price checks