3 min read
Inside mount vs outside mount
The mount decides how you measure, how the product looks, and how much light leaks around it.
Inside mount
The product sits inside the window opening, flush with or slightly behind the face of the frame. Trim stays visible, the look is tailored, and nothing projects into the room.
It needs an opening that is square enough — a difference of more than about 1/4 inch between your three width measurements will show as a gap on one side — and deep enough for the headrail or cassette. You measure the opening; we take the deductions.
- Built-in look, trim stays visible
- Needs a square-ish, deep enough opening
- Small light gaps at the sides are normal
- Measure the exact opening — we deduct
Outside mount
The product mounts to the wall or trim above the opening and covers it, overlapping on each side. It hides an out-of-square opening, works on frames too shallow for an inside mount, and blocks more light at the edges — the usual choice for bedroom room-darkening shades.
It also makes a window look larger when the shade is mounted higher and wider than the glass. You measure the finished size you want; we make exactly that.
- Covers the frame; hides out-of-square openings
- Works with shallow or no frame depth
- Best light control at the edges
- Measure the area to cover — no deductions
How to choose, product by product
Faux wood blinds and cellular shades inside-mount well in most openings and also offer an "exact" mount where we build to your number without deductions. Roller and zebra shades are often outside-mounted when light control matters, since a cassette on the wall seals the top. Plantation shutters are inside-mounted in a Z-frame for most windows, or outside-mounted with an L-frame or deco frame on shallow openings.
If you are between the two, outside mount is the forgiving choice: measuring is simpler and the result covers more.
