How to measure and install top-down bottom-up shades
By Jason Meinzer · Updated · Deals checked Oct 2, 2026
Yes, you can measure and install top-down bottom-up shades yourself. You need a tape measure, a drill and a screwdriver: the shade arrives made to your size, two or three brackets go in with a few screws, and the headrail clicks into place.
What you need
- A steel tape measure (cloth tapes stretch)
- A power drill with a small bit for pilot holes
- A screwdriver
- A pencil
- A step ladder
- Wall anchors, only if you are screwing into drywall for an outside mount
Step 1: Choose inside or outside mount
| Mount | Where it goes | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | Inside the window frame | A clean, built-in look | Needs enough frame depth; thin light gaps at the sides |
| Outside | On the wall or trim above the window | Blackout, shallow frames, hiding old trim | Needs a flat surface; use anchors in drywall |
Every shade lists a minimum frame depth for an inside mount. If your frame is shallower, choose an outside mount.
Step 2: Measure
- Use a steel tape and measure to the nearest 1/8 inch. Write width first, then height (W x H).
- Inside mount: measure the width at the top, middle and bottom of the frame and use the narrowest. Measure the height at the left, center and right and use the longest.
- Measure the frame depth too, and compare it with the shade's minimum.
- Don't subtract anything for an inside mount. The store makes that small deduction for you.
- Outside mount: measure the area you want covered, then add a few inches on each side so light and eyes can't sneak past the edges.
- Measure every window, even ones that look the same, and label each size with the room name.
Step 3: Install
Installing a top-down bottom-up shade is the same job as a regular shade. The extra rail comes built in, so there is nothing extra to fit.
- Unbox and check the parts: headrail and shade, mounting brackets, screws, and sometimes hold-down brackets or a valance.
- Mark the bracket spots with a pencil, a few inches in from each end of the headrail. Wide shades get an extra bracket in the middle. Follow the spacing in your shade's instructions.
- Drill small pilot holes and screw the brackets in: up into the top of the frame for an inside mount, or into the wall or trim for an outside mount.
- Snap or slide the headrail into the brackets until it clicks.
- Test both rails: pull the middle rail down to open the top, then push the bottom rail up.
- On doors, add the hold-down brackets at the bottom so the shade doesn't swing.
Rather not drill? Or want a pro?
- No-drill: some stores sell tension-fit cellular shades that press into the frame with no screws, including cordless top-down bottom-up versions (seen at Blindsgalore, Oct 4, 2026). They are inside mount only and have size and depth limits, so check the listing. Handy for renters.
- Professional install: Blindsgalore offers measuring and installation through a national installer network, and Home Depot offers paid installation in many areas.
- Not sure about a measurement? Call or chat with the store before you order. Most stores help with measuring for free.
Tips before you order
- Order free fabric samples first; colors look different in your own light.
- Check the store's policy for measuring mistakes before you buy, since custom shades usually can't be returned.
- A second pair of hands helps with wide shades.
- Cordless is the easiest lift to live with, and the safer choice around kids and pets. See cordless shades.
Shopping already? See the best picks → or browse top-down bottom-up shades at Blindsgalore.
Questions people ask
- Can I install top-down bottom-up shades myself?
- Yes. Most shades sold online are made for DIY install. Blindsgalore says 99% of its customers measure and install their own window coverings.
- Is a top-down bottom-up shade harder to install than a normal one?
- No. It uses the same brackets and headrail. The extra rail is built into the shade.
- Do I have to drill?
- Usually, for a few small screw holes. No-drill tension-fit shades exist for inside mounts if you can't or don't want to drill.
- What if I measure wrong?
- Call the store as soon as you notice, before the shade is made if you can. Policies differ, so read the store's measuring-mistake or remake policy before you order.
