Roller shades

01

Choose the mount

An inside mount sits within the frame for a clean line and takes up no wall space. It needs enough frame depth for the roll and brackets, measured in the next step, and it leaves a small light gap at each side that a channel closes if the client wants full darkness.

An outside mount covers the opening and is the better answer for blackout, for a shallow frame, or where something in the recess gets in the way.

02

Measure the frame depth

Inside mount only

An inside mount only works if the frame is deep enough to hold the roll and the brackets. Measure from the face of the frame back to the glass, at the top where the shade will sit, and check it against the depth the chosen top treatment needs.

Depth requirements differ by top treatment: an open roll needs least, a cassette most. On Meridian, for example, an arc cassette needs more than 3 1/4" for the small and more than 4" for the large. [Confirm the Skyfall figures against the specification table before this goes live.] Not enough depth means an outside mount, or a shallower top treatment.

03

Measure the width

Inside mount: measure across the opening at the top, the middle and the bottom. Send the narrowest of the three. Openings are rarely square and the shade has to clear the tightest point.

Outside mount: measure the area to be covered, overlapping the opening by at least 1 1/2 inches each side, so 3 inches in total.

04

Measure the drop

Inside mount: measure at the left, the centre and the right, and send the shortest. Outside mount: measure from where the top of the shade will sit down to where it should finish, usually the sill or a set distance below it.

05

Check for obstructions

Handles, cranks, alarm sensors, a deep sill or tile return. Anything in the path changes the mount or the roll direction, and it is the most common reason a correctly measured shade will not fit.

06

Pick the roll direction

Standard roll brings the fabric down the back of the tube, closest to the glass, for maximum coverage and the least light at the edges. It is the default.

Reverse roll brings the fabric down the front, away from the glass. Use it to clear a handle, a crank or a deep sill, and remember it only works with two of the six top treatments.

07

Set the control side

Standing in the room facing the window, say which side the chain or wand sits. On a run of shades keep them consistent unless the client asks otherwise, and check nothing blocks the control at that end.

08

Label every window

Name each opening by room, and number them where a room has several. Start at the front door and work clockwise. It costs a minute on site and saves an hour when the order and the install both refer to the same window.