Measuring your window for new blinds can be an overwhelming and complicated task, one which necessitates a cacophony of both practical and aesthetic choices. Within this curtained minefield, you might be unsure of what some of the phraseology and wordage (such as recess blinds and exact blinds) from many blind suppliers precisely means. This blog is here to help! Read on to find out the differences between recess blinds and exact blinds, how to measure for recess or exact blinds, what type of blinds look the best for recessed windows, and other useful information that will help you.

How Are Recess Blinds and Exact Blinds Different?

A window recess measurement is the precise distance between the surface of a windowpane and the space between the inside wall. Blinds can either be hung inside the recess (known as recess blinds) or outside of the recess (exact blinds). When installing blinds in your home, you need to decide where the blind will sit - either in or outside of the window’s recess.

Recess blinds or curtains mean that the blind is the same size as the window and will precisely fill that area. On the other hand, exact blinds will be fitted outside of the recessed area and will be attached to the wall above the window, covering both the window and parts of the walls on each side of the recess.

Preparing For Recess Or Exact Blinds

Whether it be with a Roman blind design or blackout roller blinds, if you’re interested in having recess blinds or exact blinds fitted, it is vitally important to measure the size of your window’s recess. This measurement, between the surface of the windowpane and the space between the inside wall, will tell you the size of the recess blind (or exact blind) fitting you require.

Think About Obstructions

Before you decide whether to get recess blinds or exact blinds from a blinds supplier, you need to think about where you want your blinds or curtain to hang. It’s a sensible idea to consider the potential obstructions that might prevent the functionality of the specified exact/recess blind/curtain fit. These obstructions might include:

●      Furniture

●      Air vents

●      Low ceilings

●      Radiators

●      (Open) Windows

Consider The Recess

If you’ve got a deep window recess, this most probably necessitates a recess blind, as the recess provides sufficient space for your blinds to fit neatly inside. If it’s a shallow recess or you’d like to keep the space clear (maybe there if there is a decorative element placed there), an exact blind would work best.

Be Precise

It perhaps might go without saying, but being precise and consistent with your measurements makes fitting your blinds a significantly easier overall process. Use a strong tape measure with a pen and paper handy to jot down the measurements.

The Measurement Process

Measuring For Exact Blinds (Outside The Recess)

Before measuring exact blinds, remember to allow overlap to prevent light bleed and help the blind maintain heat more effectively. This is recommended to be around 15cm: a measurement taken above the recess, below the window sill, and on each side of the recess.

From this, note the points where you want your blind’s width to be with an evenly calculated overlap. Then take three width measurements from these points on the top, middle, and bottom of the recess.  The smallest of the three measurements will be your width.

Afterwards, measure from the top to the bottom of the recess. The top should be where you want to place the rail and the bottom where you want the blind to finish. Again, 15cm from the top and bottom of the recess is a good overlap measurement but will depend on the specific window. Then measure 3 equal points across the length of the window and write down the longest size. This will be the length of the recess blind.

Measuring For Recess Blinds (Inside The Recess)

To measure recess blinds, you begin by taking three width measurements of the window; the top, middle, and bottom of the recess. Similarly to measuring exact blinds, take the smallest of these three measurements as the width of the blind. Also, be sure to deduct 1cm from the width, to ensure that the blind fits perfectly without catching on the sides.

Afterwards, take three height measurements of the recess (on the left, middle, and right of the recess). Note down the smallest of the three measurements, and this is the length of the recess blind.

For sake of clarity, it is worth noting that the reason three measurements are taken is to ensure that the blind you acquire from a blind supplier property fits inside the recess or covers the window. The smallest width measurement is taken, as that will ensure the blind will fit inside the recess. The largest length measurement is used as that means the blind will definitely cover the area of the recess/window

Fitting Recess Blinds?

If you’re thinking about fitting recess blinds or recess curtains from a blinds supplier, there are some important considerations to make. Blinds with a flat bottom, as opposed to a specifically shaped bottom, work better for window recess’, as the bottom of a recess is also commonly flat.

Advantages Of Recess Blinds

Recess blinds are advantageous, as they have a tidy aesthetic appearance, perfect for modern, perhaps minimalist interiors. It has become the contemporary look for blinds today and can fit with a bespoke interior design theme.

Recess blinds or recess curtains are also easy to install, as they can be fitted to the window frame, as opposed to the wall. Not only that, but they give you space to place items in front of the window, utilising the rooms’ space more effectively.

However, when the blinds are rolled up, light can be restricted from entering the room.

What Is A Good Type Of Recess Blind?

Blackout roller blinds are common recess blinds as they can fit neatly into a recess’ space, creating a tidy presence in the room as a whole whilst maintaining heat effectively. Rather than folding like the Roman blinds, blackout roller blinds roll into a neat tube at the top of the recess, giving a very in-vogue minimalistic look.

Fitting Exact Blinds?

Advantages of Exact Blinds

Exact blinds are also excellent for a number of different reasons to recess blinds. They allow for a more expressive design and creativity in their installation, as they have room outside of the recess to play around with. You can place a bespoke curtain rail or head rail higher and unlike a recess curtain, you can have the curtain cover a larger area than just the window/recess.

Whatsmore, the material of the blinds will maintain its colour more easily as, by not being placed on the actual window, it isn’t receiving as much direct sunlight. Exact blinds also work more effectively to establish a blackout effect in your room, as they can cover the entire window/recess, restricting light from entering the room.

A difficulty of exact blind systems stands with the fact that their installation requires a blind batten to be fixed to concrete.

What Is A Good Type Of Exact Blind?

The timeless, practical, yet incredibly stylish Roman blind design makes for an excellent addition to any home. Getting a Roman blind design fitted by a blind supplier can give your recess blind incredible coverage and volume over the window. This maintains warmth effectively, keeps light out when closed, and has a tidy aesthetic.

Where Can I Find A Good Blind Supplier?

Having a trusted blind supplier can help with choosing between recess blinds and exact blinds for your home. Whether you’re looking for a roman blind design, blackout roller blinds, or even a bespoke curtain rail, SG-S can help.

Silent Gliss is the leading worldwide supplier of manual curtain and blind systems and at SG-S, we are the UK’s main supplier of Silent Gliss systems. We even provide battery-powered blinds and curtains to further improve safety, aesthetics, and ease of use, whether they be exact or recess blinds.

From blackout roller blinds to bespoke curtain rails, you can trust SG-S for the best possible recess blinds, recess curtains, and exact blinds. Contact us today for more information.