Measuring Cincinnati Bay Windows for Blinds: 5 Steps

Buying blinds for a single window is pretty easy. You measure the width of the window and its height, and then order blinds that fit those specifications. Things get a bit more difficult when you’re trying to purchase the right blinds for the bay windows in your Cincinnati home. Since the windows come together at an angle, you have to ensure the blinds you buy for each window panel don’t overlap one another and collide in the corners. One way around this hassle is to buy thin, inside-mount blinds. This style of blind mounts completely inside the bay window frame rather than hanging above or projecting over it. Since the blinds are completely encased inside the window frame, you won’t have an issue with them colliding. You just measure the distance from the inside of one side of the frame to the inside of the other, and buy blinds in that width. Of course, outside-mount blinds do have a certain appeal. If this is the style you prefer for your Cincinnati home, then follow the steps below to measure for them.

Step 1: Create some cardboard cut-outs

Cut two small pieces of cardboard, or have two index cards handy. Note that you will make marks on these again later on, so make sure they’re pieces you don’t mind destroying.

Step 2: Position the cardboard

Hold one piece of cardboard against the very outside of the frame of the window to the left. Hold the other to the very outside of the frame of the window to the right. Position it below the first piece of cardboard, but then slide it upwards until it “bumps” into the bottom side of the first piece of cardboard being held against the window on the left.

Step 3: Mark and measure the cardboard

Make a mark on each piece of cardboard where it intersects the other piece of cardboard. Then, measure the distance from the end of the cardboard that was placed against the wall to that mark. That is the maximum width that your blind “header” can be without colliding with the header of the blind next to it. Give yourself a little wiggle room by looking for blinds with significantly narrower headers. For example, if your cardboard measures 1 3/4 inches, play it safe and order 1 1/2 inch headers not 1 3/4 inch ones. They’ll be a lot easier to install.

Step 4: Measure the width

Next, determine the width of the blinds themselves. Do this by measuring from the very middle of the window frame on one side to the middle of the window frame on the other side of the same window pane. If the distance is 32 inches, you need 32-inch blinds. Measure each window individually. Often, in bay windows, the central window is a different width than the side windows.

Step 5: Measure the length

Blinds are adjustable in length, but to be sure you order window treatments that are long enough, measure the height of your window from the top to the bottom of the frame. Look for blinds that extend a few inches longer than this so they don’t look over-extended.

Looking for New Bay Windows?

You may discover that you want to replace a bay window in your Cincinnati home. Renewal by Andersen can assist you with any type of window. Call today for a free, in-home consultation.

Topics: update the exterior of your home, Ohio Homes