Inside Mount vs Outside Mount Blinds & Shades (Which Is Better?)

When choosing window blinds or shades, one of the most important decisions is whether to use an inside mount or outside mount. This choice affects how your window treatments look, how they function, and how much light they block.

Understanding the differences between inside and outside mounts will help you choose the best option for your windows and your space.

Browse our full selection of custom made window blinds and custom made window shades, or learn how to measure in our How to Measure for Blinds guide.

What Is an Inside Mount?

Inside mount blinds or shades are installed within the window frame. This creates a clean, built-in appearance that sits flush within the window opening.

• Installed inside the window frame


• Creates a streamlined, finished look


• Requires precise measurements

Pros of Inside Mount

Clean, built-in appearance: Inside mount blinds and shades sit within the window opening, creating a streamlined look that feels integrated with the window rather than added on top of it. This is often a good choice when you want a clean, modern appearance.

Keeps decorative trim visible: Because the window treatment stays inside the frame, an inside mount allows attractive molding, woodwork, or decorative trim to remain visible instead of being covered.

Works well with layered window treatments: Inside-mounted blinds or shades can be paired easily with curtains, drapery, or another outside-mounted treatment. This gives you more flexibility to combine privacy, light control, and decorative elements.

Can preserve wall space around the window: Since the blind or shade fits inside the opening, it does not extend onto the surrounding wall or trim. This can be useful when windows are close together or when there is limited mounting space around the frame.

Cons of Inside Mount

May allow more light around the edges: Inside-mounted window treatments usually require small operating clearances between the product and the sides of the window opening. Those gaps can allow some light to enter, even when blackout fabric is used.

Requires sufficient mounting depth: Not every window has enough depth for an inside mount. The required depth varies by product, so it is important to check the minimum mounting depth before ordering.

Requires more precise measurements: Because the product must fit within the window opening, accurate width and height measurements are especially important. Uneven or out-of-square windows can make an inside mount more challenging.

Window hardware may cause interference: Handles, cranks, locks, or other hardware inside the window opening can interfere with the operation of an inside-mounted blind or shade. These obstructions should be considered when measuring.

What Is an Outside Mount?

Outside mount blinds or shades are installed outside the window frame, either on the wall or above the trim. This allows the window covering to fully cover the opening.

• Installed outside the window frame


• Covers the entire window opening


• Can be mounted on wall or trim

Pros of Outside Mount

Provides greater window coverage: Outside-mounted blinds and shades can extend beyond the edges of the window opening, which can help reduce light gaps and provide additional privacy.

Often better for room darkening: Because the window treatment can overlap the window opening, an outside mount is often the better choice when minimizing incoming light is a priority. This can be especially useful in bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms.

Works well with shallow or uneven windows: An outside mount does not depend on having enough depth inside the window frame. It can also be more forgiving when the opening is uneven or not perfectly square.

Can make a window appear larger: Mounting the window treatment above and wider than the actual opening can create the visual impression of a taller or wider window.

Can hide unattractive trim or window frames: If the existing trim is damaged, dated, or simply not something you want to emphasize, an outside-mounted treatment can cover part or all of it.

Cons of Outside Mount

Creates a more prominent appearance: Because the blind or shade sits on the wall or trim rather than inside the window opening, it becomes a more visible part of the room.

May cover decorative trim: An outside mount can partially or completely cover window casing or molding, which may not be desirable if the trim is an important design feature.

Requires additional mounting space: You need enough flat wall or trim around the window to securely install the mounting brackets and accommodate the full width of the window treatment.

Usually requires a larger window covering: Since the product extends beyond the opening, outside-mounted blinds and shades are often ordered wider and sometimes taller than an inside-mounted version. This can slightly increase the overall cost depending on the product.

Inside Mount vs Outside Mount: Key Differences

Quick rule of thumb: Choose an inside mount when you want a clean, built-in appearance and your window has enough mounting depth. Choose an outside mount when reducing light gaps, increasing coverage, or working around a shallow or uneven window is more important.

Which Mount Option Is Best?

The best choice depends on your goals and your window type:

• Choose inside mount for a clean, modern look and when your window frame has enough depth


• Choose outside mount for better light blocking, privacy, or if your window frame is shallow or uneven

When to Use Inside vs Outside Mount

Measuring for Inside vs Outside Mount

Measuring correctly is essential for both mount types:

• Inside mount requires precise width and height measurements inside the frame


• Outside mount requires measuring the area you want to cover, including extra width for better coverage

Learn more: How to Measure for Blinds

How Much Mounting Depth Do You Need for an Inside Mount?

The amount of mounting depth required for an inside mount depends on the specific blind or shade. Some window treatments need only enough depth to securely attach the mounting brackets, while larger headrails, roller systems, and fully recessed installations may require considerably more space.

Before ordering an inside mount, always check the minimum mounting depth listed for the specific product. Also look for a separate flush-mount depth if you want the entire headrail or roller mechanism to sit completely within the window opening.

A window may technically have enough depth for an inside mount even when the product does not sit completely flush. In that situation, part of the headrail or shade may project beyond the face of the window opening.

Also consider anything inside the window opening that could interfere with the blind or shade, including:

• Window cranks


• Handles and locks


• Security sensors


• Screens


• Tile or backsplash


• Protruding trim or hardware

If the window is too shallow or has hardware that interferes with the treatment, an outside mount is often the easier and more practical choice.

Inside Mount vs Outside Mount for Blackout and Light Gaps

If reducing incoming light is one of your main goals, mount type can make a noticeable difference. Inside-mounted blinds and shades must fit within the window opening, which normally requires small operating clearances along the sides. Those clearances can allow some light to enter around the edges, even when the fabric itself is blackout.

An outside-mounted shade can extend beyond the width and height of the window opening, helping cover those gaps. For bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms, and other spaces where maximum room darkening is important, an outside mount will often provide better overall coverage.

Blackout fabric does not automatically mean a completely dark room. Blackout refers to the fabric's ability to prevent light from passing through the material. Light can still enter around the top, bottom, and sides of the window treatment.

For customers who want the greatest possible light control, consider an outside mount with additional overlap beyond the window opening. Certain products may also be available with side channels or other light-blocking options that can further reduce edge light.

An inside mount can still provide excellent room darkening when a clean, recessed appearance is more important than eliminating every trace of light.

Inside Mount vs Outside Mount by Window Treatment

Both mounting styles are available for many blinds and shades, but the best choice can vary depending on the product. Here are some general guidelines for common window treatments.

Roller Shades

Inside mount: Provides a clean, streamlined appearance with the roller mechanism positioned within the window opening. However, the shade fabric is typically narrower than the total bracket-to-bracket width, which can create visible gaps along the sides.

Outside mount: Allows the shade fabric to extend beyond the window opening and can provide better light coverage. An outside mount is often worth considering for blackout roller shades or whenever reducing side light is a priority.

Cellular Shades

Inside mount: Cellular shades are well suited to inside mounting because their compact headrails and fabric stack can create a clean, built-in appearance. This is a popular option when the window has sufficient mounting depth.

Outside mount: Provides additional coverage around the edges of the window and may improve room darkening. It can also be useful when the window opening is too shallow for the cellular shade you want.

Wood and Faux Wood Blinds

Inside mount: Often provides the most traditional built-in appearance for horizontal blinds. The window opening must be deep enough to accommodate the headrail and allow the slats to tilt and operate without interference.

Outside mount: Works well for shallow windows, uneven openings, or when you want to cover unattractive trim. Outside mounting can also provide greater privacy coverage around the edges of the window.

Roman Shades

Inside mount: Creates a tailored appearance that showcases decorative window trim. It can be an attractive choice when the window frame is deep enough and relatively square.

Outside mount: Can make the window appear taller or wider and may provide better coverage around the edges. Outside mounting can also hide unattractive trim or create a more dramatic decorative look.

Solar Shades

Inside mount: Gives solar shades a clean appearance while maintaining the architectural lines of the window. Keep in mind that side gaps are common because the fabric must be narrower than the complete operating system.

Outside mount: Provides additional coverage and may reduce glare entering around the sides of the shade. However, solar shades are designed to manage glare and UV exposure rather than provide complete blackout.

Vertical Blinds

Inside mount: May work when there is enough depth inside a large window or door opening to accommodate the headrail and vertical vanes.

Outside mount: Is very common for sliding patio doors and wide openings. Mounting above the opening gives the vanes room to operate and can allow the treatment to extend beyond the door for greater coverage.

Panel Track Shades

Inside mount: Can provide a clean look on large recessed openings when sufficient depth is available for the track system.

Outside mount: Is often preferred for sliding doors and wide openings because the track can be installed above the opening and extended beyond it, allowing the panels to stack more completely away from the active door area.

Special Window Situations to Consider

Uneven or Out-of-Square Windows

An inside mount requires the blind or shade to fit within the actual window opening, so an opening that is noticeably narrower at the top, middle, or bottom can create installation or operating problems.

When measuring for an inside mount, take multiple width and height measurements according to the instructions for the specific product. If the window is significantly out of square, an outside mount may be more forgiving because the treatment does not have to fit precisely within the opening.

Shallow Window Frames

Shallow windows are one of the most common reasons to choose an outside mount. If there is not enough depth to securely install the brackets, or if the headrail would interfere with the glass or window hardware, an inside mount may not be practical.

Always compare your available depth with the product's minimum mounting-depth requirement before ordering.

Window Cranks, Handles, and Locks

Window hardware can interfere with the operation of an inside-mounted blind or shade. Cranks and handles that project into the window opening may prevent the treatment from lowering completely or may rub against the fabric, slats, or bottom rail.

Measure how far the hardware projects into the opening and compare that measurement with the position of the window treatment. If there is not enough clearance, an outside mount can move the blind or shade farther away from the obstruction.

Decorative Window Trim

If your window has attractive wood casing, molding, or decorative trim that you want to keep visible, an inside mount is usually the better design choice. The treatment remains within the opening and allows the surrounding trim to remain part of the room's appearance.

An outside mount may be preferable when the trim is damaged, uneven, outdated, or something you would rather conceal. It can also create the appearance of a larger window when the treatment is mounted above and wider than the existing trim.

Inside vs Outside Mount for Blinds vs Shades

Both blinds and shades can be installed as inside or outside mounts. However, outside mount is often preferred for blackout shades, while inside mount is commonly used for blinds where appearance is a priority.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing between inside mount and outside mount blinds or shades depends on your window, your design preferences, and how much light control you need. Inside mount offers a clean, built-in look, while outside mount provides better coverage and light blocking.