Blind Calculator: Estimate Your Window Blind Dimensions and Cost
Whether you're planning an inside mount or an outside mount for your window blinds, accurate measurements are crucial for a perfect fit and to estimate material costs. Our Blind Calculator helps you determine the ideal dimensions for your custom blinds and provides an estimated material cost based on your window's size and desired coverage.
Understanding Your Measurements
When ordering or making blinds, you typically need to consider the actual window opening dimensions and then add allowances for proper coverage, light blocking, and aesthetic appeal. This calculator focuses on an outside mount scenario, where the blind extends beyond the window frame.
- Window Opening Width: This is the exact width of your window opening from inside edge to inside edge.
- Window Opening Height: This is the exact height of your window opening from inside edge to inside edge.
- Desired Side Overlap: For outside mount blinds, you'll want the blind to extend past the window frame on both sides. This input is for the overlap on *one* side. The calculator will double this for the total width. A common overlap is 2-3 inches per side.
- Desired Vertical Extension: This is how much you want the blind to extend beyond the top and bottom of your window opening. This accounts for the headrail, bottom rail, and any desired extension below the sill for better light blocking or aesthetics. A common extension is 4-6 inches total (e.g., 2 inches above, 2-4 inches below).
- Material Cost per Square Foot: The cost of the blind material itself, per square foot. This helps estimate the total material expense.
How to Use the Calculator
Simply enter your window's dimensions, your desired overlaps, and the material cost per square foot. The calculator will instantly provide the total blind width and height you should aim for, the total material area in square feet, and an estimated material cost.
Example Calculation
Let's say you have a window that is 36 inches wide and 48 inches high. You want an outside mount with a 2-inch overlap on each side and a total vertical extension of 4 inches (e.g., 2 inches above the window, 2 inches below the sill). The material you like costs $15 per square foot.
- Window Opening Width: 36 inches
- Window Opening Height: 48 inches
- Desired Side Overlap: 2 inches
- Desired Vertical Extension: 4 inches
- Material Cost per Square Foot: $15
Using the calculator:
- Total Blind Width: 36 + (2 * 2) = 40 inches
- Total Blind Height: 48 + 4 = 52 inches
- Blind Area (sq inches): 40 * 52 = 2080 sq inches
- Blind Area (sq feet): 2080 / 144 = 14.44 sq ft (approximately)
- Estimated Material Cost: 14.44 * $15 = $216.60 (approximately)
This example demonstrates how the calculator helps you quickly get the necessary dimensions and a cost estimate for your custom window blinds.
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