How to Measure Windows for Bamboo Roman Shades?

Measure inside-mount windows at the narrowest width and tallest height; measure outside-mount windows by adding overlap beyond the frame.

Getting bamboo roman shades to sit right comes down to one habit: measuring the window yourself, in three places, and trusting the smallest width and tallest height. The steps below cover both mounting styles, the exact numbers to write down, and the mistakes that force a reorder.

Inside Mount or Outside Mount: Which Do You Need?

Inside mount fits the shade within the window frame and gives a clean, recessed look, but it needs enough depth for the headrail. Outside mount covers the frame and surrounding wall, which hides light gaps and handles shallow or uneven openings.

Because that number shifts by product, confirm the depth your specific shade needs before choosing inside mount. If your frame is shallower than the required depth, outside mount is the practical pick.

How Do You Measure a Window for Bamboo Roman Shades?

Measure every window individually with a steel tape, record each figure to the nearest 1/8 inch, and write everything in width x height (W x H) order before ordering.

For an inside mount, do this:

1. Run the tape left to right across the frame at the top, middle, and bottom. Write down the smallest width.
2. Run the tape top to bottom at the left edge, center, and right edge. Write down the tallest height.
3. Record the result as W x H, smallest width first.

For an outside mount, you are measuring the covered area, not the glass.

Treat those overlap numbers as the floor, not the target. If you want stronger light control and privacy, add more. For bamboo shades in particular, an outside mount should clear the frame enough to hold the mounting hardware and still cover the full opening.

One naming trap: inside vs. outside mount is not a shade color or fabric choice. If the opening is shallow or irregular, an outside mount is often the better result, and the exact overlap still depends on the vendor and product.

If you are still deciding on a specific shade before you cut anything, the tested bamboo roman shade roundup lists the options that held up best. Compare the required frame depth there before locking in an inside mount.

Confirm dimensions against the vendor’s own measurement guidance before ordering. Blinds.com’s guide to measuring roman shades walks through the same top/middle/bottom and left/center/right routine.

What Are the Most Common Measuring Mistakes?

Most bad orders trace back to rounding the wrong way, assuming windows match, or flipping the two numbers.

• Do not round to the nearest half or whole inch. Measure to the nearest 1/8 inch.
• Do not assume same-size windows are identical. Measure each window separately; openings vary.
• Do not swap width and height. Always record as W x H.
• Do not choose inside mount without checking depth.
• Do not forget the sill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I add extra width if there is a lot of light coming in?

Yes, if you want the gap smaller. Add more than the minimum when the window gets direct sun.

What if my bamboo shade is a standard width and close to my measurement?

Never order a size up and expect it to fit a narrower opening. Inside mount shades need to fit within the smallest measured width, so match the smallest figure you recorded, not the average and not the widest spot.

Do I need the same number for width and height?

No, and you should not force them to match. Record each value in W x H order exactly as measured, smallest width and tallest height for inside mount. Swapping or rounding the two numbers is a common cause of a returned shade.