Choose inside mount when the frame has enough usable depth and you want the shade fitted within the opening. Choose outside mount when the frame is shallow, hardware may interfere, or you want more coverage around the edges. Decide the mount first, then measure the planned area where the finished Roman shade will sit.
Mount is one part of the order. The Roman Shades Buying Guide shows where it fits alongside fabric, lining, controls, and room use.
What changes when you change the mount?
| Check | Inside mount | Outside mount |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Within the window opening | On trim or wall beyond the opening |
| Look | Fitted and architectural | Broader and more visually prominent |
| Frame depth | Must accommodate the selected hardware | Can work around a shallow opening |
| Edge coverage | Tighter to the opening; some gaps may remain | Can extend beyond the opening |
| Trim | Keeps more trim visible | May cover part of the trim |
| Measuring | Uses the usable interior opening | Uses the planned outer coverage area |
The product, hardware, and actual window determine whether either mount is feasible. Include fit and clearance in the decision, not appearance alone.
When inside mount works best
Inside mount keeps the shade within the frame, which can make the treatment feel built in. It also leaves surrounding trim visible and can pair neatly with curtain panels mounted outside the opening.
Check the full opening before committing. The narrowest area, not the most generous area, may determine whether hardware can fit. Handles, cranks, latches, screens, uneven trim, and a sloped or damaged frame can reduce usable space.
The Roman Shade Measuring Guide tells shoppers to check window depth along with width and height. Use the requirements shown for the selected shade; a depth number from another product may not apply.
When outside mount is the practical choice
Outside mount can work when the frame is too shallow or crowded for an inside installation. It also lets the shade cover more of the area around the opening, which may help with privacy and visible edge light.
Plan the surrounding surface carefully. The brackets need a stable mounting area, and the shade should clear projecting trim, handles, and other obstacles. Mark the proposed top and side positions before measuring the finished coverage.
Outside mount can make a window appear taller when the shade begins above the opening, but that visual effect should not replace a fit check. The shade still needs a clear operating path and a reliable mounting surface.
How mount choice affects light and privacy
Fabric and liner matter, but light can also appear around the perimeter of a shade. An inside mount follows the opening closely, so small edge gaps may be more visible. An outside mount can extend beyond the opening, but the amount of coverage depends on the size you order and the available wall or trim.
No mount should be described as a guarantee of total darkness. For a bedroom or street-facing room, compare the selected fabric, liner, mount, and real coverage together.
Check these obstacles before measuring
- Window handles, locks, and cranks
- Screens or storm-window hardware
- Deep, uneven, or decorative trim
- Tile, stone, or other difficult mounting surfaces
- Cabinets, counters, faucets, or built-ins near the opening
- A bed, desk, radiator, or bench below the window
- Existing curtain rods or other layered hardware
Take straight-on and side-view photos if any obstacle is hard to describe. Fredesigner support can review an unusual opening before a made-to-order purchase.
Measure in the right sequence
- Choose the Roman-shade product.
- Read its mount and hardware information.
- Decide whether the shade will sit inside or outside the opening.
- Measure width and height in more than one place.
- Check frame depth and every possible interference point.
- Compare your notes with the measuring guide and product fields.
- Recheck the finished size and mount selection before checkout.
Write each measurement down immediately and label the window. Similar-looking windows can still have different openings.
Keep the Roman Shade Measuring Checklist beside you while collecting width, height, depth, and obstacle notes.
What if both mounts could work?
Choose inside mount if preserving visible trim and a fitted look matters most. Choose outside mount if broader coverage, a shallow frame, or easier clearance matters more.
For a layered treatment, an inside-mounted shade can leave more room for outside-mounted curtains. For a single treatment in a bedroom, outside coverage may be more important than keeping every inch of trim visible. The room goal breaks the tie.
Make the mount choice final
Open the Custom Roman Shades collection, choose a product, and check that its mount and lift options suit the window. Then use the measuring guide for the final review.
Because the product is made to the submitted size and options, review Fredesigner's Refund Policy before checkout. A correctly made custom item is not returnable because the shopper selected the wrong measurement or mount.
