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White aluminium venetian blinds installed in an artist's studio by Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings, Knysna Central

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Installation Checklist for a Flawless Fit

Measure, mount, level, seat, test. The six steps that make a self-fitted blind look professionally hung.

Fitting guideOnline orders
Subject
Fitting online blinds
Reviewed by
The Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team
Updated
8 September 2026
Reading time
4 minutes

How do you install made-to-measure blinds for a perfect fit?

  1. Measure the width and drop three times each, top, middle and bottom, in millimetres
  2. Decide the mount first: inside the recess, or outside over the frame, because the sizes you send depend on it
  3. Clean the frame, clear the space, and lay out the tools before the first hole
  4. Mark the bracket positions with a level; level brackets are the whole difference between amateur and professional
  5. Seat the blind fully in the brackets, then run it through several full cycles before you call it done
  6. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings ships every online blind with brackets and instructions, and the Custom Fit Guarantee covers the sizes you send
3Measurements per dimension
10mmDeducted per side on recess fit, by us
100mmOverlap per side on face fit, by you

The blind installation checklist

Five things, in order. Everything below is detail.

Measure

Three times per dimension. Millimetres. Write it down.

Mount and prepare

Inside or outside decided first; frame cleaned; tools in order.

Fit and test

Brackets level, blind seated, several full cycles before the tools go away.

Measure for your blinds

Tape, notepad, pencil. Three widths, three drops, at the top, middle and bottom of the frame, because walls are rarely square.

Awkward windowsSketch the window and note its quirks. Odd shapes and deep recesses are exactly where a diagram saves the order.

Inside or outside mount for blinds

The mount decides the numbers you send. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings makes the deductions on recess fit; you add the overlap on face fit.

Inside

Recess fit

Send
The exact opening, narrowest width, full drop
We do
Deduct 10mm per side so the blind runs free of the frame
Needs
A recess about 50mm deep
Look
Neat, inside the reveal

Outside

Face fit

Send
The area to cover plus 100mm overlap on every side; send the totals
We do
No deductions
Needs
Flat wall or frame face to screw into
Look
Covers the frame, blocks more light at the edges

Prepare the window and the space

Clean, clear, lit.

Tools
Tape, pencil, level, drill and bits, screwdriver, safety glasses, and a second pair of hands for wide blinds
Frame
Check the material: timber, aluminium or uPVC take different bits and screws. Fill old holes in timber
Surface
Wipe the frame and surrounds, remove old hardware, lay a drop cloth, clear the furniture
Check
Read your measurements against the blind once more before drilling

Blind brackets and hardware

Where the professional finish is decided.

  1. Mark with a levelBoth bracket positions on one true horizontal line, not the sill and not the frame
  2. Pilot holesTimber, aluminium and uPVC each want their own approach; keep the drill square to the surface
  3. Fix and checkScrews tight, brackets aligned to each other; a bracket a few millimetres out shows in the hang

06   Seat and test

Run the blind several full cycles. Then admire it.

Place the blind into the brackets so it sits evenly and locks in. Raise and lower it through several full cycles, listening for grinding or resistance and watching the fabric roll straight. On a zebra or double roller, test each layer on its own. Check the hang from across the room in daylight, where a slight lean shows first. Fix small alignments while the tools are still out.

Too big or too small?The Custom Fit Guarantee: too big because of the measurements supplied, cut down free and returned; too small, remade at a reduced price.

Buy online:

How to measure·Shop blinds online

Questions buyers ask about blind installation

What is the best way to measure a window for blinds?

Three widths and three drops, at the top, middle and bottom, in millimetres. For a recess fit send the exact opening and Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings deducts 10mm per side. For a face fit add 100mm overlap on every side and send the totals.

Should blinds go inside or outside the window recess?

Inside for a neat finish in a recess about 50mm deep or more. Outside where the recess is shallow, or where you want the frame covered and less light at the edges.

What tools do I need to install blinds?

A tape measure, pencil, spirit level, drill and bits, a screwdriver and safety glasses. Brackets and instructions come with every online blind.

How do I get the brackets level?

Mark both positions with a spirit level on one horizontal line, not off the sill or frame, which are often not square. Level brackets are what make the blind hang straight.

What if my blind does not fit?

The Custom Fit Guarantee covers every online order: too big due to the measurements supplied, it is cut down free and sent back; too small, remade at a reduced price.

Further reading on blind installation

Content reviewed by the Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team. Visit the online shop for current pricing.

Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings | South Africa’s trusted blinds, shutters and awnings specialists since 2010.

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