For homeowners or business owners who aren’t keen on using high-tech film to cover their property’s windows, mini blinds are a relatively inexpensive alternative. Mini blinds are typically made of aluminum, faux wood, PVC (Polyvinyl chloride, a synthetic plastic polymer) or other similar materials. Understanding how to measure for mini blinds can ensure that they fit perfectly with your windows. Mini blinds can be affixed to either the inside or the outside of a window frame (on the wall). Given the high number of incidents involving small children and pets suffocating (or otherwise getting injured) with cords and other parts of blinds, this is especially important. The Consumer Product Safety Commission thus advises homeowners to use cordless window coverings instead of blinds with cords. According to a 2017 study published in the Pediatrics Journal, over 16,000 children in the United States entered emergency departments between 1990 and 2015 due to injuries related to window blinds. Of these, 271 died. Moving cribs, beds, and toys away from windows and ensuring that tasseled pull cords are short are two ways to avoid these types of incidents. These types of blinds, therefore, need to be installed and treated with care, so here is a guide for how to properly take measurements for mini blinds.
Use a Sturdy Measuring Tape
A measuring tape made of steel or another similar material is often the most effective tool to accurately measure for mini blinds. You likely won’t get by with a plastic measuring tape.
Measure to the Nearest ⅛ Inch
Most window blind dealers and installation companies agree that this measurement will virtually guarantee that your blind is properly installed. Any greater margin of error made while measuring could lead to issues. Measure the depth of your window frame (e.g. the distance between the glass and the opening’s front).
Measure Windows Individually
Should you be measuring for several windows, be sure to measure each one individually. Multiple windows in a building may seem like they are the same size, but they may not always be. Be careful! Also, be sure to check mounting requirements for all your windows to verify that they all meet the requirement for an inside mount. Homeowners and business owners who don’t have protruding window sills are often advised to begin measuring roughly two inches under the sill to ensure the most coverage. Space should also be made available for mounting hardware. For buildings that have windows with no trim, it is recommended to add about two inches on each window’s side for more privacy and gap coverage.
Remember to Always Write Width, Then Height
Always record the width at the bottom, middle, and top of your window’s opening. Choose the narrowest of the three measurements for the official width. In a similar vein, measure the left, right, and center portions of each window to record height. Use the tallest (largest) measurement for the official height.
Order Without Counting Deductions
It’s generally recommended to order blinds at the exact opening size without counting deductions. The factory that makes them will generally compute deductions during production. Finally, make sure you list your measurements in the correct format: W X H.
Get Help from the Atlantic Sun Control Pros
Speak to the experienced professionals at Atlantic Sun Control to receive assistance with mounting mini blinds. Although headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, ASC also has offices in Ashburn (VA) and Bethesda, Maryland and serves clients located within a 75-mile radius of the D.C. metro area, including the majority of Maryland and Virginia. Atlantic Sun Control was founded in 1991 in a basement by Chris Baccus and Brien Looney. Since then, it has become one of the country’s biggest and most reputable window film dealers. ASC offers reasonable and competitive prices and reliable installation services. Additionally, every job they perform is completely insured. They are dedicated to providing high-quality solutions that meet you and your building’s unique needs — all within a reasonable time frame. The many products ASC offers include mini blinds, roller shades, and exterior solar screens that control the level of heat from the sun in a room. They also sell decorative window films, security films and sun control films that allow you to reduce your monthly energy payments. Atlantic Sun Control is a proud member of the International Window Film Association, the Better Business Bureau, the Property Management Association and the American Automobile Association (AAA). It is also certified by Llumar Magnum, Madico, and Hanita Tech, and it has been Vista’s top volume dealer in county for multiple years. Contact ASC at 703-687-0154 or online for more information about their products, for an estimate, or to learn more about how window films can improve your indoor space or lower your energy bill.