Inside Mount vs Outside Mount Blinds

One of the most common questions when ordering custom blinds is whether to go with an inside mount or outside mount. Both work well - the right choice depends on your window depth, light control needs, and the look you want. Here is a clear breakdown to help you decide.

What Is Inside Mount?

An inside mount means the blind is installed inside the window frame, sitting within the recess of the window opening. The blind fits flush with the wall and creates a clean, built-in appearance that shows off the window trim.

Inside mount works best when:

Your window frame has at least 1.5 inches of depth (2 inches or more is ideal for a flush fit)
You want a streamlined, architectural look
Your window trim is decorative and you want it visible
You prefer a more tailored, custom appearance

Considerations: Inside mount blinds will have a small gap on each side (typically 3/16 inch per side) due to the production deduction required for proper operation. Some light may enter through these gaps, especially in darker rooms.

What Is Outside Mount?

An outside mount means the blind is installed on the wall or window frame above and outside the window opening. The blind covers the window and a portion of the surrounding wall.

Outside mount works best when:

Your window frame is less than 1.5 inches deep
You want maximum light blockage around the edges
You want the window to appear larger or taller
Your window has obstructions inside the frame (handles, cranks, or deep sills)
You want more privacy, especially for street-facing windows

Considerations: Outside mount blinds will overlap the wall on each side, which means the blind will be wider than the window opening. This is intentional and provides a fuller look with better light control.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Inside Mount	Outside Mount
Window depth required	1.5 inches minimum	Any depth
Light control	Good	Better (covers frame gaps)
Visual effect	Clean, built-in look	Larger window appearance
Shows window trim	Yes	No (trim is covered)
Best for	Deep windows, modern look	Shallow windows, max privacy

How to Measure for Each Mount Type

Inside mount: Measure the width of the window opening at three points - top, middle, and bottom - and use the narrowest measurement. Measure the height from the top of the opening to the sill. Do not deduct anything - AiryBlinds applies a 3/8 inch production deduction automatically to ensure smooth operation.

Outside mount: Decide how wide you want the blind to extend beyond the window frame on each side (typically 1.5 to 3 inches per side for best light coverage). Decide how high above the frame you want to mount the bracket (typically 2 to 4 inches above). Measure and record the total width and total height you want the blind to cover.

For detailed diagrams and step-by-step instructions, see our full measuring guide.

Which Should You Choose?

If your windows are at least 2 inches deep and you want a clean, tailored look - choose inside mount. If your windows are shallow, you want maximum light control, or you want the window to look bigger - choose outside mount. When in doubt, outside mount is the safer choice because it is more forgiving with measurements and provides better light blockage.

All AiryBlinds faux wood blinds are available in both inside and outside mount at no extra cost. Shop custom faux wood blinds and select your preferred mount type during checkout.

Inside Mount vs Outside Mount Blinds