How to Measure for External Blinds and Awnings — A Complete Guide
Every external blind and awning from Awnly is made to order — cut and assembled specifically to the dimensions you provide. There's no adjusting it later. That means getting your measurements right before you order is the single most important thing you can do.
The good news: it's not complicated. You need a steel tape measure, a pencil, and about 20 minutes. This guide covers every product type we sell.
Before You Start: What You'll Need
- Steel tape measure — not a cloth or retractable fabric tape. Steel tapes are rigid and accurate over longer spans.
- Pencil and notepad — write every measurement down immediately. Don't trust your memory.
- A helper — for spans wider than 2m, a second person makes measuring much easier and more accurate.
- A spirit level (optional) — useful if you're mounting on a wall and want to confirm your fixing line is true.
Understanding Width vs Drop
All external blinds and awnings are ordered with two key dimensions:
- Width — the horizontal measurement across the product (left to right)
- Drop — the vertical measurement from the fixing point down to the bottom of the blind (for blinds), or the projection/reach for awnings
Both dimensions are the overall finished size of the product — not the size of your opening. This is a critical distinction.
Measuring for Ziptrak® Blinds
Ziptrak blinds run in side tracks. The width you order is the overall width including the tracks.
Measure the width of the opening at the top
Measure from wall face to wall face (or post face to post face) at the very top where the headrail will be fixed. This is your opening width.
Measure the width at the bottom
Check the width at the base too — if your walls aren't perfectly parallel, use the smaller of the two measurements.
Measure the drop
From the underside of your beam or fixing point down to where you want the blind to reach. This is your drop. Allow 50–80mm extra if you want the blind to sit on a floor or sill with a slight tension overlap.
Check for obstructions
Look for anything that could prevent the tracks from sitting flush — cornices, downpipes, electrical conduit. Note these so we can advise on fixing options.
Measuring for Straight Drop Blinds
Straight drop blinds (Convertible, Gearbox, Verandah Drop and similar) fix to the face of a beam, fascia or wall. There are no side tracks.
- Width: Measure the clear span you want covered. If you want the blind to overlap posts or frames slightly, add the desired overlap to each side.
- Drop: Measure from the underside of your fixing beam/fascia to where you want the blind to finish. For blinds that don't reach a floor, this is your full drop. Add 100–150mm if you want the blind to sit on a deck or ground to act as a wind seal.
Measuring for Folding Arm Awnings
Folding arm awnings project outward from a wall. The two key dimensions are width and projection (reach).
| Dimension | What to Measure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Width | The span across the face of the wall where the arms will fix | The fabric will be slightly wider than this to cover the brackets — order the width of shadow you want to create |
| Projection | How far out from the wall you want the awning to reach when fully extended | Measure from wall face outward. Standard projections range from 1.5m to 3.5m depending on model |
| Fixing height | Height of the wall fixing bracket above finished floor level | Aim for 2.1–2.4m — high enough to walk under comfortably when extended |
Measuring for Pivot Arm Awnings
Pivot arm awnings mount above a window and fold down to block the sun. They're measured differently to other awnings:
- Width: The width of the window or opening you want to cover. Aim for the awning to extend 100–150mm beyond each side of the glass.
- Drop: How far down the window face you want the awning to project when fully open. For heat blocking, this should typically reach at least 2/3 of the window height.
- Projection: Determined by the arm length — our team will advise the correct arm for your wall height.
Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring the glass, not the reveal — always measure the full opening, not just the transparent section
- Measuring only once — always check both ends and the middle of a span; walls move and settle
- Forgetting site obstructions — downpipes, lights, power points, and air conditioner units can all affect fixing options
- Confusing drop with projection — drop is how far something hangs down; projection is how far it reaches outward
- Not double-checking the height off the ground — decks are rarely perfectly level; measure the drop from multiple points
Ready to measure up? Our full measuring guides are available for download — one for each product type.
Download Installation Guides