Need roller shade measuring/material advice

16 years ago

I need to order some replacement shading for my windows. When we moved in, the roller shades were ripped and brittle with sun damage and rain water stains. They may have been from the late 50's or 60's. My kitchen heats up tremendously in the summer from sun streaming into the room for many hours both morning and afternoon. There aren't any shade trees to mitigate this problem. What kind of material should I chose that will stand up to the impact of sun without breaking down (long lifespan of use).

Second, I don't have the old shades for a measurement reference. If I am going by the mount placements, how do I determine what size shade to order? If I hook a metal tape measure over the end of one mount and run it to the edge of the other, it's *close* to 54.5 inches. The window I chose for this example is a double window that has curtain draw mounts for handling pinchpleats, the roller shade mounts and mounts for shear rods all lined up vertically. THe entire wooden window frame is 55 inches wide from edge to edge. I have 2 other series of windows to measure (though differing sizes) except that over the kitchen sink, there are mounts for 3 shades instead of just one.

Arrrghhh. I'm stymied by uncertainty! Whimper. Please help!

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Comments (6)

graywings123
16 years ago
First, ignore the mounts from the previous shades. And while you are at it, remove them, patch the holes with wood putty (assuming your frames are made of wood) and paint the window frames if needed. You want to start over with fresh mounting brackets that fit the shades you buy.

Without seeing your windows (could you post a photo?), I'm reluctant to suggest anything. Are the current shades inside mount or outside mount? Here is a tutorial from JCPenney that should help you.

Here is a link that might be useful: roller shade info
lindac
16 years ago
inside mount is what I prefer....if the mountings are good, no need to replace them. any roller shade I have ever see all use the same kind of bracket.
When you measure, measure inside the frame....less 1/8th of an inch.
Linda C
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terezosa / terriks
16 years ago
Remove the old brackets, then measure the inside of the frame in 3 places, top, middle and bottom. Follow the instructions from the blind dealer on what measurements they want. They will figure out the proper size for your window based on your measurements. You don't need to worry about deducting anything for the brackets or clearance.
sujiwan_gw 6b MD/PA
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the advice- but I'm not going to put brackets on the inside of the frame because there is interference from a metal track and from rounded moulding. Plus I think I would get better coverage from the sun glare with outside mount.
But what you are saying is ignore the current placement of the mounting hardware and ask for the fabric width desired to exclude light?
Thus: I have 3 inch moulding around the window. If the window sash/jamb area is 23.5 inches wide, I would ask for a shade that is 26.5"? (extra 1.5 added to either side?) and could theoretically ask for as much as 29" though it would cover all the trim.(?)
graywings123
16 years ago
When doing an outside mount, you have some leeway with the size. With your window opening at 23.5, you could go as narrow as 24.5 (0.5 on each side) to 29.5 (full coverage of the molding). Your plan for 1.5 inches added on each side sounds perfect.

You might even find a ready made one. Roller shades are the least expensive way to go. Cellular shades or horizontal shades would also work.
bobtheblindguy
16 years ago
If your window opening size is 23.5 and you have 3 inch trim, then you have more flexiblity. You could go 26.5 wide up to 29.5. Order them as tip-tip outside mount, don't add or take any deductions. At 29.5 you will cover most of the trim but not all. The actual material will be approx 28.5.
Have you seen the type that have a control on one side. Very nice to operate, no more tuggin on the shade to get it to operate.