Inside-Mount Blinds vs. Outside-Mount Blinds

You finally picked your blinds. The color is right, the style works, and you're happy with the decision, and then they ask, "Do you want an inside-mount or an outside-mount blind?", and you’re unsure what either of those even means.

A professional window treatment installer adding outside-mount blinds to a window in a home near Mishawaka, IN

It sounds like a simple question, but it stops many folks in their tracks. But don’t stress because once you know the difference, the choice becomes easy. At Midwest Blind & Shade, our team loves discussing the nuances of window treatments, including the differences between inside-mount and outside-mount blinds.

Inside-Mount Blinds for Clean Lines and a Built-In Look

Inside-mount blinds are installed within the window frame, flush with the casing. It creates a tailored look that highlights the window's borders rather than covering them. That advantage makes this a natural choice for anyone with beautiful trim or a distinctive frame.

However, a few practical details matter here. The window frame needs sufficient depth to accommodate the headrail. When conditions are right, though, inside-mount blinds look intentional and built in.

Light Control and Inside-Mount Blinds

Because inside-mount blinds fit within the frame, small amounts of light can slip in around the edges. For bedrooms or media rooms where full darkness matters, that could become an issue, but our professional blind installers can offer recommendations based on your wants and needs for the space.

Outside-Mount Blinds for Light-Blocking and Sleep-Enhancing

Conversely, outside-mount blinds are installed above the window frame, with brackets mounted to the wall, the ceiling, or the outside of the frame itself, rather than inside the casing. This strategy works when a window frame lacks the depth for an inside mount.

Light blockage and room-darkening enhancements are typically better with outside mounts. Because the window covering extends beyond the frame on all sides, there’s less opportunity for light to sneak through. This option is preferable for anyone who wants a darker room or is sensitive to light while sleeping.

Window Expansion and Outside-Mount Blinds

Outside mounts have a way of making windows seem larger. Mounting the headrail a few inches above the frame and extending the blind slightly beyond each side creates the illusion of a taller, wider window. Designers use this trick regularly in smaller rooms to make the space feel more open.

Deciding Between Inside vs. Outside-Mount Blinds

Many homeowners use both mount styles throughout their homes, depending on each room's needs. You needn’t pick one approach and stick with it in every room.

Here are some guidelines to help you determine which mount style is better for your lifestyle:

Inside-mount blinds suit spaces where clean lines and visible trim are the priority.
Outside-mount blinds work better for maximizing light control, covering imperfect frames, or making a window look larger than it is.

Find Professional Blinds Installation Near Mishawaka, IN

At Midwest Blind & Shade, our team helps homeowners throughout the community make confident decisions about every window covering detail, including mount type and final installation. Contact us online or call (574) 271-0770 to learn more about how we can help bring your window treatment vision to life.

Midwest Blind & Shade serves Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Warsaw, Syracuse, Auburn, South Bend, Granger, Elkhart, LaPorte, Plymouth, and Michigan City, Indiana; as well as Niles, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, New Buffalo, and Three Rivers, Michigan.