Measuring illustration
Inside the recess
Measure the opening itself at the positions shown and note the smallest width and the smallest drop. Don’t make deductions – we allow for the fit when we make your blind.
The Titan measuring handbook
How to measure for your new window blinds
Beautiful blinds begin with accurate measurements. Our illustrated guides cover standard windows, bays, roof windows, conservatories and shutters – every diagram shows where to place your tape measure, so you can order with confidence.
Use a metal tape measureRecord measurements in millimetresMeasure each window separatelyCheck the product’s fitting notes
01 / Standard windows
Measuring standard windows
Choose how your blind will be fitted. An inside-recess fit sits within the opening; an outside-recess (exact) fit covers the opening from the wall or frame.
Measuring illustration
Outside the recess / exact fit
Measure the full area you want covered, including the overlap beyond the opening. We make the blind to exactly this size.
1
Measure the width
Take readings at the top, centre and bottom of the opening.
2
Measure the drop
Measure on the left, in the centre and on the right.
3
Check the fit
Note the smallest sizes for a recess fit, then check handles, tiles and bracket space.
Inside-recess fitting – step by step
Place the tape against the inside edges of the recess. Take three horizontal and three vertical readings, keeping the tape straight and level. Write down the narrowest width and the shortest drop, in millimetres.
Please don’t make your own deductions: Titan allows for the brackets and fabric clearance on every recess-fit blind.
Roller and tension-fit blinds
Some systems depend on the width at the top of the recess, where the brackets sit. Measure there as well and use the smaller figure.
Outside-recess fitting – step by step
Decide where the blind should start and finish. As a guide, add about 8–10 cm to the width (4–5 cm each side) and about 10 cm to the drop to cut out light and give privacy.
Allow for radiators, handles, skirting, sills and the surface you’ll fix into. On roller blinds the fabric is slightly narrower than the overall bracket width – we make the overall width to your size.
Light control
More overlap gives better light control. For bedrooms, allow 10 cm on each side if there’s room.
Top tips for recess fitting
Measuring illustration
Check the recess depth
Make sure there’s room for the headrail, brackets and moving parts without hitting window handles or vents. See the minimum depths in Titan specifications.
Measuring illustration
Partly tiled recesses
If tiles narrow the opening, measure between the tiles as well as the full recess width, and use the narrower figure so the blind clears the tiles.
02 / Bay windows
Measuring bay windows
Bay windows need each section measuring separately, allowing for the blinds meeting in the corners. First check whether your bay is angled or square.
Measuring illustration
Angled bay window
Measure each section of glass where the headrail will sit. The depth of neighbouring headrails affects the width available in the corners.
Measuring illustration
Square bay window
Measure the centre window and both side returns separately, allowing for the brackets and the blinds meeting at the corners.
Angled bay – practical steps
- Sketch the bay from above and label each section.
- Measure each section where its headrail will sit.
- Note the angle where sections meet and the headrail depth of the blind you’ve chosen.
- Send us your sketch with the sizes – we’ll work out the finished sizes so the corners meet neatly.
Important
A simple wall-to-wall measurement isn’t enough to work out the sizes of blinds that meet in a bay.
Square bay – practical steps
- Measure the front section and both returns individually.
- Mark where each headrail will be fixed.
- Allow for headrail depth so the corners don’t clash (the front blind usually runs past the side blinds).
- Check handles, and whether you want each blind to work independently.
Not sure? Let us measure
Bays are the windows most often measured wrongly. A free appointment takes the risk away – our adviser measures and quotes on the spot.
03 / Roof windows
Measuring roof and skylight windows
Most roof blinds are ordered by the manufacturer and the size code on the window’s identification plate – more reliable than measuring the glass.
Measuring illustration
Find the identification code
Open the window and look for the data plate, usually on the top of the sash or frame. Note the manufacturer, model and size code (e.g. VELUX CK02, Keylite 02).
Measuring illustration
If you can’t find the code
Measure the visible glass width and height and take clear photos of the frame. Send them to us and we’ll confirm which blind fits before you order.
Roof window brands
VELUX®, FAKRO®, Keylite®, RoofLITE® and DAKSTRA® use different size systems – a blind for one brand won’t fit another. Choose your brand in our skylight range.
04 / Conservatories & bifold doors
Measuring conservatory and bifold glazing
Frame-mounted blinds are made to the visible glass, so you also need the glazing bead depth. Measure every pane separately.
Measuring illustration
Conservatory glazing
Measure each pane separately, including any shaped roof or gable sections. Number the panes on a sketch so sizes can’t get mixed up.
Measuring illustration
Bifold and patio doors
Measure each door pane individually and check the handle clearance, which way the doors fold and how the blind will be operated.
Step 1 – Measure the visible glass
Measure from the edge of the frame where the glass meets the rubber seal. Don’t include the seal or the frame.
Take the width at the top, middle and bottom and the drop on the left, centre and right. Use the smallest figures, to the nearest millimetre.
Step 2 – Check the glazing bead depth
Perfect Fit and other frame-mounted blinds clip into the glazing bead. Hold a ruler across the frame and measure back to the glass.
Titan’s Perfect Fit range needs a bead depth of 12–28 mm. Measure your own frames – not all uPVC windows are the same.
Step 3 – Check handles and obstructions
Make sure the blind frame or controls won’t catch on a handle, trickle vent, lock or hinge. For doors, measure from the glass edge to the handle pivot.
Photograph unusual handles and send them with your sizes.
Measuring illustration
Fly screens and door screens
Measure the opening where the screen will be fitted, then check there’s room for its track and cassette.
Measuring illustration
Gable-end and shaped glazing
Record the width, overall height, the peak and each pane’s shape. Shaped blinds are made from a template – we’ll take it at your appointment.
05 / Shutters
Measuring for shutters
Shutters need the opening checked for squareness, the frame position, panel clearance and any midrail.
Step 1 – Check the opening is square
Measure diagonally from top-left to bottom-right, then from top-right to bottom-left, and compare.
Titan’s standard tolerance is 6 mm. If the diagonals differ by more than that, the frame needs adjusting at fitting – please mention it so our fitter can plan for it.
Measuring illustration
Front-of-recess shutters
Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom, and the drop at left, centre and right, where the frame will be mounted.
Measuring illustration
Inside-recess shutters
Take the same six measurements at the depth where the frame will sit, and check for handles and hinges.
Step 3 – Position a midrail
Shutters taller than about 150 cm need a midrail for strength. To line it up with a window transom, measure from the bottom of the opening to the centre of the transom.
We’ll confirm the midrail position with you before your shutters are made.
Shutter checklist
Check both diagonals, measure at the planned frame position, record width and drop in three places, and note handles, sills, vents and your preferred midrail position.
06 / Titan specifications
Standard specifications
Typical figures for the blind systems we supply. Each product page shows its exact size limits, and your adviser confirms everything at your appointment.
Minimum recess depth for an inside-recess fit
| Blind type | What to check | Titan standard |
|---|---|---|
| Roller blinds | Bracket depth, control side, fabric roll clearing handles | 50 mm (60 mm with a cassette) |
| Blackout & thermal roller blinds | Thicker fabric roll, and side channels if chosen | 60 mm |
| Day & night blinds | Cassette and bracket projection | 70 mm |
| Double roller blinds | Dual brackets for two rolls | 85 mm |
| Roman blinds | Headrail depth and the fabric stack when raised | 60 mm |
| Wooden & faux wood Venetian (50 mm slats) | Slat width and the stack when raised | 60 mm (65 mm for 63 mm slats) |
| Aluminium Venetian (25 mm slats) | Headrail and slat clearance | 40 mm |
| Vertical blinds (89 mm vanes) | Track depth and room for the vanes to rotate | 100 mm for vanes inside the recess (track alone 30 mm) |
| Pleated & honeycomb blinds | Headrail or frame profile | 35 mm |
| Perfect Fit (frame-mounted) | Glazing bead depth – no recess needed | Bead 12–28 mm, measured from the glass |
| Shutters (in recess) | Frame depth, louvre clearance, handles | 60 mm (more for 89 mm louvres) |
Not enough depth? Choose an exact (outside-recess) fit instead – the blind fixes to the wall or ceiling above the window.
Typical size ranges
| Blind type | Width | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Roller blinds | 30 – 300 cm | 30 – 300 cm |
| Roman blinds | 30 – 240 cm | 30 – 250 cm |
| Wooden & faux wood Venetian | 30 – 240 cm | 30 – 250 cm |
| Vertical blinds | 30 – 500 cm | 30 – 300 cm |
| Pleated & Perfect Fit | 15 – 200 cm | 15 – 220 cm |
| Day & night blinds | 30 – 250 cm | 30 – 250 cm |
Measuring units
We make to the nearest millimetre. Our price boxes accept mm, cm or inches.
Recess deductions
Made by us on every recess-fit blind – always give us the actual recess size.
Shutter squareness
Diagonals within 6 mm. Larger differences are corrected by the fitter.
Before you order
Your final measuring checklist
Width
Measured in three places and recorded in millimetres.
Drop
Left, centre and right – checking sills and radiators.
Clearance
Bracket depth, window handles and moving parts checked.
Need a little help?
Measure with confidence – or let us do it.
Not sure which fitting suits your window? Our adviser measures for free and we take responsibility for the sizes.
Illustrations are schematic and not to scale. Figures are Titan’s standard guide; always check the notes on the product you choose.