The Benefits of Professional Measuring and Fitting for Window Blinds
While most of the time and effort for homeowners tends to go on selecting the fabric, colour and style, it's the two phases with the most impact on the final product that are often neglected: measuring and fitting. Regardless of whether you're purchasing the blinds Cardiff has, a blind that has been poorly measured or fitted will always look disappointing, no matter how stylish.
It's easy to think of taking measurements as an easy task of measuring tape, and fitting it as a matter of screwing something to the wall. I have seen many succeed, and others learn that a millimetre here, or a wonky bracket there can have a blind that catches the window frame or results in a gap between the headrail and the wall. The blind has been made and an easy fix can be frustrating and costly.
Here's why it pays to get professional measuring and fitting. Why is it worth paying for professional measuring and fitting? We look at the risks of not getting it right, how your visit to the window expert works, the benefits you'll notice in style, operation and safety, and how to tell if you'll be glad you did.
Why Measuring and Fitting Deserve Expert Attention
Home furnishings where precision counts, it's one of the few things we make that have to be done accurately. A sofa can be missing a few centimetres here or there and you wouldn't notice but if a blind is slightly smaller than its aperture you may find it won't fit at all. With the exception of some roller blinds, every blind you buy is made to measure so a mistake will be built in from the outset.
Size is only part of the story Also, no matter how well-sized it is, a blind still needs brackets that fit securely and are level, together with fixings placed in the right spot to help it hang correctly and roll smoothly. This is routine work for experts, who can pre-empt potential issues and ensure the finished blind is just right.
And there is time and confidence to consider. Not only do you have to take measurements of each window, then make precise orders but you then have to master drilling the holes into walls or window frames. You can then entrust these tasks to a professional which will leave you with the fun part of the project where you choose a design that you will love living with.
The Hidden Complexity Behind a Simple Measurement
From the outside, measuring a window appears to be a job with two numbers: width and drop. On reflection, each of those numbers is influenced by a whole host of choices, and each of those choices impacts on the way the blind will look and work.
Windows Are Rarely Perfectly Square
Frames will settle, not all plastered areas are perfectly flat and new builds can be slightly wonky as well. A window could be a few millimetres narrower at the bottom than the top, or not quite level from left to right. The fitter will take a number of measurements and use the smallest where they need to, so the blind fits properly.
This focus on accuracy is particularly advantageous in the case of internally fitting blinds, which have very little tolerance. If they are too wide they won't fit, and if they are too narrow they leave visible gaps for light and draughts to enter.
Recess vs. Outside-the-Frame Fitting
Where will the blind sit? Inside the recess looks tidy but only works with sufficient recess depth and room for handles and trims. On the outside of the frame will make the window appear bigger and offer greater light block out but requires space on a ceiling or wall.
A knowledgeable fitter will consider the depth of the recess, the placement of handles, adjacent furniture and the result you wish to attain. They can advise on the ideal solution which looks good and is functional, so you don't learn this to your cost after you have fitted it.
A Cleaner, More Polished Appearance
8 - Putting Things In Their Place Beauty One of the greatest benefits of the professional process of measuring and fitting is the end result. Edges line up, headrails are level, fabric drapes smoothly with no sag, and bottom rails on a row of windows are straight across the bottom. The touches that bring it all together.
Other Mismatch in height All the windows on the same wall or throughout a room should be at the same height for a formal appearance. Different height blinds can make the entire room appear disorganised, but a professional blind fitter will make sure all your blinds are at the same height.
A well fitted product will also give the fabric the best chance not to 'faring'. A straight, well supported Blind will roll, fold or tilt evenly with the fabric, reducing the chance of creasing, fraying at the edges and uneven wearing over time. So you will have a product for many years to come.
Shutters and the Importance of Precision
There is no compromise more critical than precision with shutters. Because each shutter panel is constructed as a rigid frame, there is no allowance for a measurement to be off even a little. The shutter panels need to be made within very close tolerances, hinge easily and close flush to the frame or the finished product will never be quite right.
A survey is essential for anyone thinking about shutter blinds Cardiff. Measure the window, examine the frame and its behaviour, determine the style (full height, caf, tier-on-tier), plan the position of hinges and tilt rods (if appropriate). The result of the extra effort is shutter blinds Cardiff that operate silently and sit flat for years to come.
The installation also needs to be handled carefully. Shutters are often heavier than most blinds and need to be fixed with appropriate fixings and to a high standard of level, ensuring that the fit is spot on. When this is achieved then the result is a very substantial feel to the product that appears almost as though it were always there, which is the idea most homeowners have in mind.
Better Performance, Safety and Longevity
It isn't all about the look though. A properly measured and correctly fitted blind will work better in practice. It will let more light in as you have smaller gaps on the sides, give you more privacy as it will cover the entire window and be easier to operate as it won't be mis-aligned.
Another advantage is safety-especially if you have children or pets. Installers understand the safety standards for cords, chains and tension devices, and install them in the most secure and safe way. The type of fixings used to secure blinds to the wall can make a difference, as poorly anchored blinds can sometimes come apart over time.
Durability is always a result of proper installation. Neither strained nor kinked systems will be as durable, the same goes for drapery fabric; the more evenly it wears, the longer the life. Brackets will be less likely to pop out and the fabric at the brackets less likely to fray and loosen; in many cases, this can make service and replacement over the course of years so much easier that the original outlay in the service may be better justified.
What Happens During a Professional Visit
A lot of home owners have no idea as to what is entailed in a measuring and fitting service. The truth is that it is not as complicated as you might think and very little disturbance is caused. It typically occurs in two stages, each of which have a specific goal.
Appointments are usually made at your convenience and a professional service will explain what will happen and in most cases what to expect. Apart from moving your furniture out of the way to enable easy access to the windows, there is little that is needed. The job is tidy and done quickly.
Consultation and Measuring
Your first appointment is to find out what you need. We look at the window, talk about the light and privacy requirements, take you through different styles and you get to see samples so that you can compare colours and textures in your own environment. This is the perfect opportunity to ask about cords and cordless options or specific use for blinds.
All measurements are taken with precision and recorded along with notes on the frame, recess depth and any obstructions. This information is used to specify the blinds, so accuracy here is essential to the whole process.
Installation Day
Your fitter will come back to hang and position your blinds once they're made. They'll use the measurements to mark your window openings and fix brackets in place before hanging your blinds. They then test each one by raising, lowering and tilting so they're smooth to operate, making adjustments where necessary.
He will have gone through the operation of the blinds with you when he was installing them and he will probably take you through this again before he leaves. Ask for advice on cleaning, safety devices and handling in general.
Good aftercare counts as well. If in six weeks' time a blind needs a tiny tweak, knowing there is a professional supplier available means this is easy to do and you don't have to solve the problem on your own.
Common Do-It-Yourself Mistakes to Avoid
Plenty of human beings measure and suit blinds themselves with good outcomes, but sure errors appear over and over. Knowing about them enables you make a decision how much of the task you're satisfied to take on, and which elements are better left to a expert.
Measuring most effective once: windows vary, so unmarried measurements can hide choppy frames.
Mixing up recess and precise sizes: perplexing outside and inside measurements leads to blinds which can be too big or too small.
Ignoring intensity: a shallow recess won't accommodate the headrail or permit the blind to take a seat flush.
Overlooking boundaries: handles, trims and radiators can block a blind unless they're allowed for.
Using the incorrect fixings: plaster, brick and plasterboard each need appropriate screws and plugs.
Skipping safety gadgets: cords and chains should always be secured as instructed.
Each of these mistakes is simple to make and frequently most effective seems once the blind is placing. A expert service eliminates most of the danger, and offers you someone to show to if some thing desires adjusting.
Is Professional Measuring and Fitting Worth It?
In the majority of cases, the answer is yes. The expense of a service is generally minimal when related to the expense of changing a dimmer that was bought to the incorrect size, and the benefits can be experienced daily in the form of improved appearances and smoother operation. Knowing that the task has been finished right is priceless.
Having said that, most simple windows and the confident DIY-ers that you know may be willing to take it on. Just be sure to be upfront about how complex your windows are and how much risk you are okay with. Bays, tall windows, shutters and big blinds are where having some expertise will often make the most difference.
Secondly, consider the future. A service where the customer is completely satisfied from the first visit, there is no need for returns, remakes and the customer experience is good, so saving on time, materials and money. Most clients realize that once their house has been cleaned and installed correctly they would not wish to change it for the rest of their house.
Final Thoughts: Getting the Details Right
Details matter when it comes to blinds. Style and fabric selection are just the start, it's accurate measurement and skillful fitting that make the difference between a good choice and a beautiful solution. The measure and fit of blinds also safeguard your investment, add to comfort and help give your windows a seamless finish.
Planning the Blind Fit – When dressing one window or the whole house, make sure you do a little homework on how your blinds are going to be measured and fitted. This small amount of forethought before the blinds are in place will help you avoid hassles that might otherwise be experienced after you've installed the blinds, so your new blinds will look perfect from the moment you open the box.
If you need a little help from start to finish the team at JJ All Blinds can help you from selecting to fitting so all products match.
