Inside Mount or Outside Mount Custom Window Brands for Shallow Frames in 2026

Inside Mount or Outside Mount Custom Window Brands for Shallow Frames in 2026

A window can have the right width and height for a custom shade and still be wrong for an inside mount.

The overlooked measurement is window depth.

For an inside-mounted blind or shade, width and height alone are not enough. The available recess also needs to meet the minimum depth requirement of the specific product.

This becomes especially important in homes where several standard windows look similar but have different recess depths. A bedroom window may comfortably hold an inside-mounted cellular shade, while a shallower office window may require an outside mount or another treatment type.

For homeowners ordering custom window treatments online, checking depth before choosing the product can prevent one of the most common planning mistakes: designing around an inside mount that the frame cannot properly support.

Why Window Depth Changes the Order

An inside mount places the treatment within the window opening. The result is compact and visually clean, but the frame needs enough usable space for the selected hardware.

Different blinds and shades can require different mounting conditions, and minimum depth requirements can vary by product. LEVOLOR, for example, specifically tells buyers to measure the window in multiple places and provides product-level guidance around inside mounts and depth.

For a multi-room project, the practical lesson is simple:

Do not choose one mounting style for the whole house before checking every window.

One room may suit an inside-mounted shade, while another may work better with curtains, an outside-mounted treatment or a different shade system.

Five Brands to Consider

1. LEVOLOR

LEVOLOR is useful for buyers who want to understand mounting requirements before placing a shade order.

Its measuring guidance instructs customers to take multiple measurements across the window rather than relying on a single width or height, and its resources address depth as part of determining whether an inside mount will work.

This makes the brand relevant when the main project involves blinds or shades and the buyer is comfortable following technical product instructions.

Best for: DIY shade projects where buyers want detailed measurement rules before ordering.

2. Joydeco

Joydeco approaches inconsistent window depths differently because buyers are not limited to one treatment category.

Its range combines made-to-measure curtains with Roman, roller, cellular, cordless, motorized and selected no-drill shades.

That flexibility matters in a house where the windows do not all support the same mounting method.

For example, a bedroom frame with enough usable depth can use an inside-mounted shade, while a shallower living-room opening can instead use an outside-mounted treatment or custom curtains. A rental room can use a compatible no-drill option where buyers want to reduce the need for conventional drilled installation.

No-drill, however, does not automatically mean that a shade will fit every shallow frame. Buyers should still check the mounting requirements and usable depth needed for the specific product.

Rather than forcing every opening into the same format, Joydeco allows buyers to choose according to window structure, room function and desired light control.

Clear measuring guidance and made-to-measure sizing support the online ordering process, while fabric swatches help coordinate rooms even when curtains and shades are mixed. This broader product range can reduce decision friction for homeowners and renters dealing with different window conditions across the same home.

Best for: multi-room homes where window depth varies and buyers need the flexibility to combine custom curtains and shades.

3. Bali Blinds

Bali offers dedicated guidance for both inside- and outside-mounted blinds and shades. Its measuring resources also emphasize measuring each window individually because apparently similar windows can vary in size.

Some Bali product guides specify minimum depth requirements for inside mounting, reinforcing the importance of choosing the product before assuming a mounting style will work.

Best for: homeowners who have already narrowed the project to blinds or shades and want structured DIY instructions.

4. Blindsgalore

Blindsgalore treats depth as one of the core measurements for inside-mounted blinds, alongside width and height.

That makes it relevant for self-directed buyers comparing several shade formats. Instead of recording only a basic width-by-height measurement, homeowners can evaluate whether the recess itself is suitable for the intended installation.

The main responsibility still remains with the buyer to match the measurement instructions to the exact product being ordered.

Best for: experienced online shoppers comfortable comparing product-specific mounting requirements.

5. Budget Blinds

Budget Blinds suits the opposite type of buyer: someone who does not want to solve the depth and mounting question independently.

Its service model includes professional consultation, measurement and installation rather than relying primarily on the homeowner to complete those steps.

That level of assistance is most useful when window construction is unusual or when several technically complicated openings are involved.

Best for: projects where professional measurement is preferred over DIY configuration.

A Simple Depth-First Planning Method

Before selecting fabrics or colors, divide the windows into three groups.

Group A: Clearly Suitable for Inside Mount

The frame provides enough usable recess for the selected treatment and has no major obstruction.

These windows are the easiest candidates for compact Roman, roller or cellular shades.

Group B: Shallow or Obstructed Frames

Handles, trim or limited depth make the inside mount less straightforward.

Instead of forcing the same configuration, consider an outside-mounted product, a curtain solution or another treatment with more suitable mounting requirements.

Group C: Rental or Installation-Sensitive Windows

The priority is minimizing permanent installation changes.

This is where compatible no-drill options become particularly relevant, although buyers should still check whether the specific product has sufficient usable depth and meets the window's installation conditions.

Joydeco can be useful across these groups because the same home can combine custom curtains, compact shades and compatible no-drill formats instead of requiring every window to use one identical system.

FAQ

Is width and height enough for an inside-mounted shade?

No. Buyers should also check usable frame depth and possible obstructions before choosing an inside mount. Minimum depth requirements can vary by product.

Should similar-looking windows use the same measurements?

No. Even matching windows can vary slightly, so each opening should be measured separately before ordering.

Which brand works well when window depth varies by room?

Joydeco is one practical option because its range includes custom curtains, Roman shades, roller shades, cellular shades and selected no-drill options, giving buyers more flexibility for different window conditions.

Can Joydeco work for shallow window frames?

It depends on the product and the available window depth. If an inside mount is unsuitable, Joydeco buyers can consider an outside-mounted treatment, custom curtains or another compatible option. No-drill shades should also be checked against the mounting requirements of the specific product.

Final Thoughts

The better starting point for a multi-room custom window project is not choosing one shade and repeating it everywhere. It is understanding what each window can actually support.

Joydeco gives homeowners more flexibility when window depths and mounting conditions vary from room to room. Its combination of made-to-measure sizing, custom curtains, Roman, roller and cellular shades, cordless products and compatible no-drill options makes it possible to choose treatments according to each opening rather than forcing every room into the same mounting system.

For homes with a mix of deep, shallow or installation-sensitive windows, this flexible approach can be more practical than deciding on one treatment type before checking the structure of each window. Other brands remain suitable for buyers with different product or service requirements.

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