DIY home decor doesn't have to be complicated, even when it comes to hanging window treatments. In fact, roman blinds and other window blinds are a great way to add style to your home without having to break out the big power tools.
Wondering how to properly master roman blind fittings? You’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll give a brief overview of roman blinds and show you how to measure and fit them in a matter of minutes. You’ll learn about the different types of roman blind mounts and find step-by-step instructions on installing roman blinds without the hassle.
What Are Roman Blinds?
Roman blinds — similar to Austrian shades — are a type of window treatment featuring a fabric piece that layers or stacks when the blinds are opened. The fabric delicately folds over itself, creating a sophisticated draped or pleated aesthetic. When the blinds are closed, they offer a visibly smooth appearance without the ridges or bumps that are present in other types of blinds.
Roman blinds come in a variety of fabrics, including cotton and polyester, and feature optional dimout or blackout blind linings. There are both corded and cordless systems, offering versatility when it comes to ease of use. The lift cord moves the blinds up and down and there are no slats or swivel wands since these blinds are made from one piece of fabric. The cords may be made of clear plastic, PVC, wood and other materials. Some roman blinds also feature a valance that adds depth and texture.
These blinds are particularly popular in formal living rooms, offices and bedrooms. They are easy to clean and require only a quick vacuuming using an upholstery brush every few weeks. They are low-maintenance and easy to install.
How To Measure for Roman Blind Fittings
Measuring roman blinds is quick and easy. All you need is a tape measure, a pencil and a piece of paper. If you order a free sample from Make My Blinds, you’ll receive a handy template that you can use instead of a piece of paper.
Once you have your tools, you’ll need to decide if you want to mount the blinds inside the recess or outside the recess. An inside the recess mount involves installing the blinds directly inside the window frame. This offers a seamless look and snug fit that is minimal and clean.
An outside the recess mount involves installing the blinds just outside the window frame. This is a great choice for narrow window frames and windows that have handles and obstructions that are too tight to fit a blind inside the frame. Here, we’ll show you how to measure for both inside and outside recess roman blind fittings.
Inside the Recess
Now that you have your tools and know how you’re going to mount the blind, here’s how to measure for inside the recess roman blind fittings.
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Measure the width of your recess at the top, middle and bottom of the window. Write down the smallest measurement on your piece of paper or template.
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Next, measure the drop — or height — of your recess across the left, middle and bottom of the window. Again, write down the smallest measurement.
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When ordering blinds, make sure to select ‘recess’ as your fit and enter your recorded measurements.
Make sure to account for any obstructions such as tiles, picture rails and handles when measuring. Measure outside of these obstructions to ensure the blinds will operate properly. In addition, most roman blinds at Make My Blinds will be cut 10 millimetres narrower than the recess measurement in order to fit the control mechanism and mounting brackets.
Outside the Recess
Also known as an ‘exact fit’, outside the recess blinds are designed to mount to the face of the wall just above the window frame. Here’s how to measure roman blind fittings if you are mounting outside the recess.
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Decide where you will mount the brackets and measure the width of the outside of the recess from left to right.
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Next, measure the height outside the recess from the point where you want the headrail tube — also known as the batten — to sit all the way down to where you want the bottom roller shade bar to stop.
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Select “exact” fit when ordering and enter your recorded dimensions.
For exact roman blind fittings, we do not make any deductions to the total width. However, we recommend adding a minimum of 70 millimetre overlap to the width in order to account for the fabric width being 35 millimetres shorter on each side. The fabric is shorter in order to allow space for the brackets and the control mechanism.
How To Fit Roman Blinds
When it comes to how to install roman blinds, the process is relatively easy and straightforward. To start, you’ll need screws, wall plugs, a pencil, a tape measure, a screwdriver, a drill with the appropriate size drill bit and your roman blind parts — typically the blind and brackets for mounting. If you’re not sure what drill bit to use, find out the width of your screws and use that size drill bit. For example, if your screws are 4 millimetres, use a 4-millimetre drill bit.
If you ordered your roman shades from Make My Blinds, you’ll receive blind brackets that offer a universal fit. The brackets can be installed on the top of the window recess — known as a top fix — or to the face of the window or the wall, which is known as a face fix. Face fix mounts can be used both inside and outside the recess while a top fix is only possible on inside the recess mounts. Once installed, the blind will snap into place via a swing arm located on the bracket.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to roman blind fittings:
1. Use a pencil to mark the drill holes where you will mount the brackets depending on if you are mounting inside or outside the recess.
2. Start by drilling your holes. Insert the wall plugs into the holes.
3. Fit the brackets over the screw holes and use a screwdriver to mount the bracket using your screws.
4. Once brackets are mounted, move the swing arm so that it faces directly towards you.
5. On the blind, remove the Velcro strip along the top of the headrail.
6. Clip the headrail into the swing arm on the bracket. To lock it in place, turn the swing arm towards the headrail.
7. Reattach the Velcro strip neatly onto the headrail, making sure to cover the brackets.
With our blinds, you do not need to mount a child safety clip, screw eyes, tensioners or cord cleats to the wall. That’s because our blinds feature a built-in child safety device that prevents cord tassels and cord locks from posing a danger to children and pets. The blind cord will simply break away from the blind if too much pressure is applied, eliminating the need for an additional mounting mechanism.
