Measure & Install

Simple Measure. Easy Installation. 100% Guaranteed.

Our step-by-step measuring guide ensures we get the right product to you and make it as easy as possible to install yourself.

Not sure you’re so great at this? We have a team of absolute pros who can walk you through it. Customers can call 602-501-1468, email info@modernshadexpress.com, or chat online with us.
First, let's check out your window mounting options:
MSX Measure Outside Mount
Option 1: Outside Window Mount
Great for getting added fabric coverage, and easiest to measure. With the Outside Mount option, your shade will typically be mounted directly above the window opening or trim.
How To Measure
It's really this simple: Measure the width and height of your window opening.
  1. Add 4 to 6 inches to the width and 6 inches to the height (add 8 for dual shades). Your height is from the top of your hardware down to where your fabric will stop. Don't worry about getting the height exact, this can be adjusted easily for both manual or motorized shades.
  2. Enter those exact measurements when building your shade order and select "Outside Mount".
  3. We will preset your shade's upper and lower limits when running it in our shop to ensure it's perfect for you!
MSX Measure for Outside Mount
PROS
  • Measurements can be less than perfect without being noticed or creating any functional issues.
  • Since shade is wider than the window opening it will ensure good fabric coverage.
  • This will help hide window framing and drywall imperfections.
CONS
  • This option does project into the room and of course won't sit flush within the opening. To find out what the projection is for your MSX shade, see the last image in the image gallery on the specific product page.
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MOUNTING TIP
Roll shades always have a gap between end of hardware and beginning of fabric due to the control and non-control side mechanisms. Typically this gap is about 1 inch on the motor side and 1/2 inch on the non-control side. This means you'll want to add 4 to 6 inches overall to the inside window/door measurement for sufficient coverage.

Where room darkening is a priority, 6 inches (3 inches each side) is best.

NOTE: If you need to clear trim or handles, MSX can provide custom shims that match up with your hardware at custom measurements. Email info@modernshadexpress.com to request your custom shims. Pretty cool huh?
MSX Measure Inside Mount
Option 2: Inside Window Mount
With the Inside Mount option, your shade will be mounted within the window opening itself. This mounting option requires more precise measuring to make sure that your shade fits, but isn't too narrow either. Nothing to be scare of though! Keep in mind light gaps and the prevalence of uneven drywall and window frames.
How To Measure
You'll want to make sure your width measurement is precise:
  1. Measure the exact width of your window opening, at the top of the window where the shade will be mounted. Then round down 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch for motorized, and 1/8 for manual. Manual requires the extra deduction to make sure the shade isn't squeezed into the opening causing the manual clutch to not work properly.
  2. Once this is taken into account, enter that width and the height when ordering your shade. Don't worry about getting the height exact, as this can be adjusted easily for both manual or motorized shades.
  3. We will preset your shade's upper and lower limits when running it in our shop to ensure it's perfect for you!
MSX Measure for Inside Mount
PROS
  • This space covers up less of your wall and won’t project as much into the living space.
CONS
  • The margin for error is less. Your width measurements should be very accurate.
  • Shade must be hung close to level. This means you may need to shim one side of your shade if your window opening is far out of level.
  • A perfectly square shade hanging inside a not so square window may show the imperfection some.
  • When Ceiling Mounting an exposed roll shade like the MSX One, MSX One Mini, or MSX One Dual, there will be a gap above the roll(s).
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MOUNTING TIP
You will likely need to select the option for "Ceiling Mount" or "Jamb Mount" while building your inside mount shade, since it is unlikely you will have enough window framing to mount directly onto, or you may not want to screw into your window framing.

For commercial style framing, mounting to the window frame is often the only option. You will also want at least 1 1/2 inch or more of window framing all around the window to ensure that the fabric will cover all of the glass, since there is always a gap between the end of the shade hardware and where the fabric begins. Typically this gap is about 1 inch on the motor side and 1/2 inch on the non-control side.

Installation Support

Check out these support videos to guide you through the process of installing your brand new MSX shades.
Measuring Guide Part 1
MSX Easy Install Template
How To Install Ceiling Mount
MSX Behind The Scenes - Packaging
In Need Of Assistance?
In Need Of Assistance?
If you have any questions about product selection, window measuring, or installation, our Customer Support team is here to help! You can contact us by calling 602-501-1468, emailing info@modernshadexpress.com, or chatting online with us.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM (MST)