Inside or outside mount?

Every blind, shutter or curtain has to be fixed somewhere. The two main choices are inside the window recess or outside it, on the wall or frame. The right choice depends on your windows, the look you want and how much light and heat control you need.

This is general information. We don't publish prices or recommend particular brands or businesses.

Inside mount (recess fit)

The covering sits within the window reveal.

Pros: a neat, built-in look; it shows off architraves; it takes up less room space.

Cons: small gaps at the sides let light through; it needs enough recess depth; window handles and winders can get in the way.

Outside mount (face fit)

The covering is fixed to the wall or architrave above the opening and overlaps it.

Pros: better coverage, fewer light leaks; it works where recesses are shallow or out of square; it can make windows look larger.

Cons: it covers architraves; it projects into the room; brackets are visible.

Energy efficiency

For heating, the aim is to trap still air between the covering and the glass. Sustainability Victoria recommends close-fitting coverings, a snug fit on both sides and at the top, and pelmets or solid barriers above. Both inside and outside mounts can work well if the fit is snug.

Bedrooms and media rooms

If darkness matters, an outside-mounted blockout covering, possibly combined with curtains or side channels, often works best. Ask suppliers what they offer.

Making the decision

Check recess depth, handles and the condition of the reveal. Think about light, warmth and looks. Then measure for the mount you've chosen.

Thinking room by room

Different rooms ask different things of a window covering. Bedrooms usually need privacy and darkness. Living areas need glare control during the day and privacy at night. Kitchens need coverings that are easy to wipe and won't be damaged by steam or grease. Bathrooms need materials that tolerate moisture. Children's rooms need cordless or carefully secured systems. Street-facing rooms may need privacy during the day as well as at night. Walk through your home at different times of day and note how the light falls, which windows face the street, and where heat or cold is a problem. That list becomes the brief you give to suppliers, and it helps you avoid choosing one product for every window when different rooms need different things.

Unusual windows

Arched, angled, corner, skylight and very tall windows can be harder to cover. Some products suit them better than others, and some suppliers specialise in them. Measure carefully, take photos, and ask suppliers what's possible and how they would approach each window. For skylights and high windows, think about how the covering will be operated, as motorised or pole-operated options may be easier.

Use the measuring planner

Our free measuring planner helps you list each window, record inside or outside mount sizes, and print a tidy sheet to take to suppliers. It reminds you about cord safety, and nothing you enter leaves your browser. It doesn't apply manufacturing deductions; suppliers do that based on their products.

Ask for samples

Colours and textures look different on a screen, in a showroom and in your home. Ask suppliers for fabric or material samples, and look at them at the window at different times of day. Hold blockout samples up to bright light to see how much passes through. Check sunscreen samples for the view out by day and the view in at night. Compare colours against walls, floors and furniture. If you're choosing for several rooms, keep the samples together and label them. Many people find that the sample they liked in the showroom isn't the one they choose at home.

If you rent

If you rent, check your rental agreement and talk to your rental provider or agent before drilling holes or replacing window coverings. Consumer Affairs Victoria has information about the changes renters can and can't make. Removable options, such as tension rods or freestanding screens, may suit some situations. Keep any original coverings you remove, and take photos so you can restore the property at the end of the tenancy.

Measure-and-install yourself?

Some retailers sell made-to-measure coverings that you measure and install yourself. This can suit confident DIYers, but you take responsibility for measuring accurately and installing safely. Read the instructions before you order, check you have the right fixings for your walls, and use a ladder safely. If the coverings have cords, install the supplied cord safety devices exactly as instructed so the installation meets the national standard.

A quick checklist

Before you order:

• decide what each covering needs to do;
• choose the mount type;
• measure carefully, in millimetres;
• see samples at home;
• get like-for-like written quotes;
• check the business and its ABN;
• confirm lead times, warranty and terms;
• plan for cord safety.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few mistakes come up again and again: choosing from a screen without seeing samples at home; measuring once with a fabric tape; forgetting handles and winders; assuming blockout means a dark room; comparing quotes for different products; not asking about lead times; and leaving cords unsecured. Avoiding these is often the easiest way to get a result you're happy with.

Where our information comes from

We base the safety and energy information in this guide on official sources, including ACCC Product Safety Australia, the Federal Register of Legislation, YourHome, Sustainability Victoria, energy.gov.au and Consumer Affairs Victoria, listed at the end of the page. Practical tips about products are general guidance only. Requirements and guidance change, so we show the date we last checked the page. Before relying on any detail, follow the source links.

Getting help from suppliers

Good suppliers will explain options clearly, bring samples, measure carefully and put everything in writing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, including why they recommend a particular product, what alternatives exist, and how the covering will be fixed and operated. Ask to see examples of similar installations. If a supplier can't answer clearly, or pressures you to sign on the spot, take your time and get another quote. A clear, unhurried conversation is usually a good sign that the rest of the process will go smoothly too.

Living with your choice

Once coverings are installed, give yourself a few weeks to see how they work through different weather and light. Notice whether rooms feel warmer, darker or more private, and whether coverings are easy to use. If something isn't operating properly, contact the supplier early rather than waiting. Small adjustments, such as tension on a chain or alignment of a shutter panel, are often simple to fix soon after installation. Make a note of anything you'd do differently for the next room.

Accessibility and ease of use

Think about who will be operating each covering. Heavy blinds, high windows and stiff controls can be hard for some people to use, including older people and people with limited reach or grip. Motorised controls, wands, lighter fabrics and splitting wide windows into smaller coverings can make daily use easier. Ask suppliers to demonstrate controls before you order, and consider where switches or remotes will be kept.

Sustainability

Choosing durable coverings, caring for them well and repairing rather than replacing can reduce waste. Ask suppliers whether replacement parts are available, whether fabrics can be cleaned, and what happens to old coverings when they are removed. Coverings that help reduce heating and cooling needs can also help lower energy use, as YourHome and Sustainability Victoria explain. Avoid vague environmental claims and ask suppliers to explain any they make.

Key points

• Inside mounts look neat but leave side gaps.
• Outside mounts overlap the opening and reduce light leaks.
• Check recess depth and obstructions.
• A snug fit helps with heat loss either way.
• Decide on the mount before measuring.