KALIA Buying Guide
Inside vs. outside mount shades
The mount determines what you measure. Decide whether your shade will sit within the opening or cover an area beyond it before entering an order size.
Start with the opening and the mounting surface.
An inside-mount shade sits within the window recess. It can keep the trim visible, but it needs enough usable depth for the chosen headrail, brackets and controls. An outside-mount shade sits beyond the opening and covers a planned area of the wall or trim. It needs a suitable mounting surface and enough space for the complete treatment.
The choice is not only visual. Handles, locks, an inward-opening window, uneven sides or a shallow recess can affect the fit. A product’s no-drill option can be restricted to inside mount. Check the exact model rather than assuming every product offers both methods.
| Choice | What to plan | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Inside mount | Record the opening width, height and usable depth. | Confirm fitting allowances and clearance for the exact model. |
| Outside mount | Record the full planned coverage width and height. | Confirm overlap, fixing surface and room above/around the frame. |
| Either method | Keep all original readings and note obstructions. | Do not reuse an old blind’s finished size as the window measurement. |
Record measurements before choosing the order size.
- For an inside mount, record three widths and three heights. Measure the top, middle and bottom, then the left, center and right. Record usable depth separately. Keep every reading so the model’s instructions can be applied.
- For an outside mount, mark the intended coverage. Measure the total width and the distance from the planned top of the shade to its desired bottom edge. The opening size alone does not include extra coverage.
- Check the specific instructions. The correct choice of readings, manufacturing adjustments, minimum depth and overlap can vary. Do not subtract a general allowance yourself or copy another brand’s deduction.
- Confirm units and constraints. Where offered, use inches with the available fractions or centimeters with decimals. The product page validates its range and increments; do not round a difficult reading just to pass validation.
Think about the complete treatment.
With roller and solar shades, fabric can be narrower than the complete shade, and edge gaps affect coverage. A blackout fabric does not remove those gaps. With Roman shades, plan where the raised folds will sit. With a motor, allow access to the specified charging connection or power source.
If you are layering drapery, plan the rod or track position independently and leave room for both treatments to operate. Shade opening measurements do not automatically become drapery panel dimensions. If a recess is uneven, the depth is uncertain or instructions appear to conflict, send the model name and original readings to KALIA before ordering.