Get the Inside Scoop on Outside Mount Blinds and Shades
After lots of consideration and back-and-forth, you finally found the perfect window treatments. Now all you have to do is measure your windows and place your order. You measure once, then twice--and realize there isn't enough space inside your window frame to install the blinds or shades you had your heart set on. Now what?
Take it outside—outside the frame that is! Shades or blinds mounted outside a window frame are an attractive and versatile solution. But what exactly are outside mount shades and blinds? How do you measure them? And, most importantly, will they look good? Let's explore the benefits of outside mount window blinds and how to choose the right ones for your home.
Pictured: Blinds.com Premium Roman Shades in Gent Bisque. Photo via: @ohjoy.
What Are Outside Mount Window Treatments?
The way to tell the difference between inside and outside mounted blinds is where they're installed in relation to your window. Inside mount blinds are typically flush with the window's opening and don't cover the window trim. On the other hand, outside mount blinds and shades get installed outside the window frame. Depending on your personal taste, you can mount the treatments directly on top of the window trim or on the wall above or to the sides of the window frame.
Keep in mind that, despite their name, outside mount shades aren't intended for outdoor use. Looking for exterior window treatments? Check here!
Most doors will require outside mount treatments since the blinds or shades get mounted on the face of the door. RV windows typically don't have a lot of depth either, so outside mount blinds are a popular choice for motorhomes.
Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Wood Shade in Montego Flint. Photo via @toshinteriors.
What Are the Benefits of Outside Mount Blinds?
An outside mount style is ideal if your window doesn't have enough mounting space (known as "depth") for an inside mount treatment. There are also other benefits to mounting blinds outside a window frame.
Create the Illusion of More Height
Outside mount blinds that attach to the top of a window frame make your windows and the room appear taller and more elegant. That's especially true for outside mount blinds with curtains. And when the blinds are fully raised, the "stack" completely clears the window for an unobstructed view.
Pictured:Blinds.com Woven Wood Shades in Antigua Natural. Photo via @crazywonderfulblog.
Give Your Windows More Depth
Choosing an outside mount style allows you to use spacer blocks or extension brackets to add space between the blinds and the wall or window. This is useful if your window has protruding cranks that could get in the way of lifting or lowering the blinds. Outside mount shades or blinds also clear the trim or molding around the window.
Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Wood Shades in Trinidad Whitewash. Photo via @foldingchairdesign.
Get Better Light Distribution
Another benefit of outside mount blinds and shades is a more pleasing dispersion of light. With inside mounted blinds, you may notice light gaps on each side that create a harsh effect. Blinds with an outside mount are typically several inches wider and taller than the window for full coverage. So, you'll get a soft halo effect instead of intense, jarring beams of light.
Pictured: Blinds.com Premier Roman Shades in Wexford Candlelight Linoso. Photo via @theclassybroadstyling.
What Is a Valance and Do I Need One?
Consider adding a valance when you choose outside mount shades or blinds. A valance is a small covering that hides installation hardware and operational components. On an outside mount window treatment, the valance wraps around the sides of the headrail for a neat, finished look.
Pictured: Blinds.com Cordless 2 1/2" Faux Wood Blind in Espresso.
For outside mount roller shades, the valance is often referred to as a cassette. This integrated valance system houses the roll, brackets and end mechanisms. The result is a sleeker, more polished appearance.
Pictured: Blinds.com Solar Roller Shade in 5% Charcoal.
What Do Outside Mount Blinds Look Like?
The main difference between the appearance of inside and outside mount shades is the valance concealing the hardware. Valance styles vary depending on the type and brand.
Pictured: Left and Right both Blinds.com Woven Wood Shade in Antigua Tiki. Photos by @curatedbyking.
Inside mount shades are inset within the window frame or flush with it for a more subtle appearance. Outside mounted window treatments provide a more dramatic effect, giving the illusion of "floating" in front of the window.
Pictured left: Blinds.com 2" Faux Wood Blind in Smooth White. Pictured Right: Blinds.com 1" Faux Wood Blind in Bright White.
Outside mount cellular shades typically don't require a valance because the headrail is integrated into the overall design, and the color is coordinated with your chosen fabric color. The brackets are very low profile and virtually invisible once the shade is installed.
Pictured Left: Blinds.com Blackout Cellular Shades in Slate (left) and Iron (right).
Pictured: (left) Blinds.com Solar Roller Shade in Monterey 5% Cloud White and(right) Blinds.com Blackout Roller Shade in Damask Warm Gray.
Outside mount Roman shades can be constructed with a valance or without one (known as "waterfall style"). Most people pair a valance with outside mounted Roman shades to conceal the operating mechanisms. The waterfall style works well on treatments with an inside mount.
Pictured (left)" Premium Roman Shades in Linen Stripe Vanilla with valance. Pictured (right) Blinds.com Premium Roman Shade in Rio Stone in waterfall style.
How Do I Measure for Outside Mount Blinds?
Measuring details may vary depending on the specific type of window treatment you choose. For more detailed instructions, check out our measuring guides for every kind of window treatment.
What Is An Outside Mount Window Treatment?
Inside or outside mount refers to where your blinds are installed in relation to your window. Outside mount (sometimes referred to as outside brackets) means that a blind or shade is installed outside of the window frame while an inside mount is installed inside the window opening. Inside mount blinds are often flush with the window's opening and do not cover up the trim. Outside mount window treatments can be mounted on the face of window trim or on the wall above the window. It does not mean the blind is installed outdoors.
Looking for an exterior or outdoor shade? Check here!
Nearly all doors will require outside mount as those windows need to have the blinds mounted on the face of the door. RV windows typically don't have a lot of depth either, so outside mount is a popular choice for those windows too.
Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Wood Shade in Montego Flint. Photo via @toshinteriors.
Benefits of Outside Mount
If your window does not have enough mounting space (known as "depth") for an inside mount, you may be required to do an outside mount. But there are other benefits to mounting your blinds outside of your window frame.
Outside mount allows you to install blinds farther above your windows, which can make windows (and rooms) feel taller and more elegant. This is especially true with draperies. Plus, when the blinds are fully raised, the "stack" can completely clear the window and not obstruct your view.
Pictured:Blinds.com Woven Wood Shades in Antigua Natural. Photo via @crazywonderfulblog.
Choosing an outside mount allows you to use spacer blocks or extension brackets to project the blind farther away from the wall or window. This is great if your window has cranks that protrude and could get in the way of lifting or lowering the blind. It also lets the blind clear trim or molding around the window.
Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Wood Shades in Trinidad Whitewash. Photo via @foldingchairdesign.
Another benefit of outside mount blinds or shades is better light coverage. With an inside mount, blinds can have harsh light gaps on each side limits any blackout effect. With an outside mount, you typically order several inches wider and taller than the window for full coverage. Instead of intense beams of light on each side, it's more of a soft halo effect.
What Are Valances? Do I Need One?
Often, when ordering an outside mount you'll want to select a valance. A valance is a small covering that hides installation hardware and operational components. On an outside mount, the valance wraps around the sides of the blind's or shade's headrail for a finished look. The pieces that wrap around the sides are called side returns.
Pictured: Blinds.com Cordless 2 1/2" Faux Wood Blind in Espresso.
On roller shades, valances may sometimes be referred to as cassettes. This is just an integrated valance system, like a box that houses the roll, brackets, and end mechanisms. It gives roller shades a sleeker, more finished look.
Pictured: Blinds.com Solar Roller Shade in 5% Charcoal.
What Do Outside Mount Blinds Really Look Like?
The biggest difference you'll notice between inside and outside mount blinds or shades is the valance. Valance styles will vary depending on the product type and brand.
Pictured: Left and Right, both Blinds.com Woven Wood Shade in Antigua Tiki. Photos by @curatedbyking.
Outside-mounted window treatments may also appear to "float" in front of the window. While the inside mount is inset within the frame or may appear flush with the window trim.
Pictured left: Blinds.com 2" Faux Wood Blind in Smooth White. Pictured Right: Blinds.com 1" Faux Wood Blind in Bright White.
Cellular shades do not usually have a valance because the headrail is integrated into the shades overall design and the color is coordinated with your chosen fabric color. The brackets are very low profile and virtually invisible once the shade is installed.
Pictured: (left) Blinds.com Solar Roller Shade in Monterey 5% Cloud White and(right) Blinds.com Blackout Roller Shade in Damask Warm Gray.
Roman shades can be made with a valance or without one (known as "waterfall style"). Most people choose a valance when ordering outside mount so the operating mechanisms can be hidden on the sides. While waterfall style works great for inside mounts so the shade appears flush with the window's opening.
Pictured (left)" Premium Roman Shades in Linen Stripe Vanilla with valance. Pictured (right) Blinds.com Premium Roman Shade in Rio Stone in waterfall style.
How Do I Measure For Outside Mount Blinds?
Measuring details may vary depending on the specific type of window treatment you choose. For more detailed instructions, check out our measuring guides for every kind of window treatment.
Pictured: Blinds.com Classic Blackout Roller Shade in Waterford Champagne.
How Do I Install Outside Mount Blinds?
Learning how to hang outside mount blinds is just as easy as installing inside mount treatments. Inside and outside mount blinds and shades often use the same bracket type, also called a universal bracket. The difference is that you'll use different holes in the bracket or rotate it in another direction.
Bracket types vary between blind and shade styles. For example, outside mount wood blinds usually use box brackets, and woven wood shades have special L-brackets. Check your product's installation instructions for specific details.
Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Wood Shade in Capri Maple. Photo via @blesserhouse.
Need Help?
Our expert Design Consultants can help answer all your window mount questions and help you find the best blind or shade for your window needs: 844-551-3769.
