Should You Choose Inside Or Outside-Mounted Blinds?
Installing blinds on your windows or over doors helps provide privacy and block light as needed. Depending on the chosen style, they can also add a decorative element to your windows. But should you choose inside or outside-mounted blinds?
The window frame depth is the main deciding factor in choosing between inside or outside mount blinds. People often opt for inside mount blinds because they deliver a cleaner look and don’t hide decorative trim. But outside mount blinds provide more light coverage, making them a good choice when you need lots of darkness.
Although the majority of people choose inside-mount blinds, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you. It all depends on your window and your preferences. Knowing the difference between inside and outside-mounted blinds can help you choose which will work best.
What’s The Difference Between Inside And Outside-Mount For Blinds?
When comparing outside and inside-mount blinds, the primary difference is visual. Inside-mount blinds hang within the window frame, and outside-mount blinds hang in front of the window frame.
But, because of this variation, there are several other differences between these two types of blinds. These differences are in their functionality and installation.
You install outside-mount blinds on the trim, above the window, or outside the frame. In contrast, inside-mount blinds go inside the window frame. For this reason, you need to make sure you have enough depth within the window frame.
The inside-mount blinds need enough space so they don’t extend in front of the window frame. But, both types of blinds have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons. Then, you’ll know if you should choose inside or outside-mounted blinds.
Pros And Cons Of Choosing Inside Mount Blinds
You can find inside-mount blinds in a variety of styles and colors. They also are typically easy to install, as long as you have the space necessary within your window frame. Measure carefully, so you get the appropriate size blinds for your windows.
When measuring for inside-mount blinds, take three measurements vertically and horizontally. Get the width across the top, middle, and bottom inside the window frame and the height at the left, right, and center.
Use the smallest of these numbers to choose the width and height of your blinds. Also, measure the depth of the window frame to ensure you get blinds that are not deeper than this dimension.
The pros of inside-mounted blind include:
- Provide a clean, sleek style that looks polished and sophisticated.
- Take up less space since they mount inside the frame. This also means you can use your window sill to display accessories or design elements.
- Inside-mount blinds don’t hide decorative trim and molding.
- You can layer drapery and curtains without the blind brackets getting in the way.
Some cons of inside-mount blinds are:
- You might have limited style and color choices depending on the depth of your window frame.
- Inside-mount blinds have a slight light gap on each side, so they won’t block light as effectively as outside-mount styles.
- They are not suitable as a covering for a door.
Pros And Cons Of Choosing Outside Mount Blinds
Outside-mount blinds also come in various styles, but you can be a bit more flexible when measuring. Since you don’t have a window frame to fit inside, you can go with larger blinds than needed.
Here are a few pros of outside-mount blinds:
- As mentioned, there is much more flexibility with sizing since you aren’t limited to inside a window frame.
- Since you can go larger, outside-mounted blinds allow you to create the illusion of more oversized windows.
- Outside-mount blinds can also cover a door since you hang them outside the door frame.
- You can also use outside-mount blinds to make your rooms appear taller by hanging them closer to the ceiling.
- They block out more light since they extend past the window.
- Can hide unappealing or damaged window trim.
The cons of outside-mount blinds are:
- If the style and installation aren’t chosen well, they could look a little unfinished.
- They hide decorative trim and woodwork, which can be a downfall for some spaces.
- Outside-mount blinds make it more difficult to layer other sheers and drapery. The mounting hardware gets in the way of different rods, making it look fussy.
So, how do you know if you should choose inside or outside-mounted blinds?
When To Choose Outside Mount Blinds
Choose outside-mounted blinds if you have shallow windows or smaller windows that can’t accommodate inside-mount blinds. They’re also a good choice if you need to hide any damage around the window. Outside-mount blinds also can help you make windows seem larger, or your room appear taller.
If you are covering windows in a nursery, bedroom, or media room. So, if you want it as dark as possible, keep this in mind. Outside-mount blinds are also the way to go if you need to cover a door.
Should Outside Mount Blinds Cover The Trim?
It depends on your preference, the size available for mounting the blinds, and your trim. If you install outside mount blinds on the wall, then they will cover any trim around the window. However, they don’t have to cover the trim.
You don’t have to install outside-mount blinds on the wall. Instead, you can opt to install them directly on the window trim, but only if the frame is flat.
When To Choose Inside Mount Blinds
If you prefer a sleeker, crisper, finished look, inside-mount blinds are the way to go. Also, if you have decorative molding or trim around your windows, inside-mount blinds allow you to show it off.
Inside-mount blinds also make it much easier to layer curtains and drapery on the window. And, if you have a small space or limited wall area, installing inside-mount blinds takes up less room.
Final Look At Choosing Inside Or Outside-Mounted Blinds
Before you decide on outside or inside-mount blinds, check out your window frame. If it’s too shallow to accommodate inside-mount blinds, you need to go with the outside-mount option. But, if you can fit either style, you have a few other things to consider.
If you want more sun and light protection, go with outside-mount blinds. It’s also a lot easier to measure for outside-mount blinds since you can be more flexible. Choose outside-mount blinds if you want to make your ceilings look taller or your windows appear more prominent.
Inside-mount blinds are a more traditional choice, providing a sleek, minimal aesthetic. You need to be much more accurate with your window measurements to ensure the blinds fit inside the frame. An important measure is the window frame depth since you don’t want the blinds to hang past the front of the frame.
If you plan to layer other drapery, inside-mount blinds make things a lot easier, plus they don’t hide decorative woodwork or trim. But they will let in a bit more light around the edges. Deciding on your overall design preferences and knowing your window frame measurements are vital to choosing between inside or outside-mount blinds.
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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