Windows are the only way through which the outside world can visit the inside of your home. Choosing how your windows treat natural sunlight is one of the first decisions new homeowners make before settling in. With global temperatures rising rapidly, whether they opt for window shades or blinds is completely up to them. However, with summer sun already settled in, people have been increasingly checking out blinds for their windows.
If you are also looking for ways to restrict the heat outside and keep the temperatures inside your walls relatively calm, opting for blinds is the way forward. But here comes the everlasting confusion. Which side should you choose in the battle between inside vs outside mount blinds?
If you are also confused about which option will provide the best light control and privacy for your moments, this guide is for you. Here, you will get complete details about what is inside and outside mount blinds, what the pros and cons are for inside and outside mount options, and how each design and style will impact your home’s temperatures and aesthetics.
Inside vs Outside Mount Blinds – Which One Should You Choose?
The whole debate of inside vs outside mount blinds starts because of the numerous openings between the slats of blinds. If you are living in a place that has ample sunlight and unbearable heat, these blinds and their openings might be of great help in keeping the room temperature in check. However, if you are in an area where you need to prevent heat loss, the slats might become unproductive. This is why understanding each option is the only way forward.
What are Inside Mount Blinds?
If the edge of your window blinds is placed inside the window frame or casings, you are using inside mount blinds. Here, the coverings are usually ⅜ to ½ inch shorter on each side of the window frame. This deduction in size is to ensure the blinds can move up and down without scraping the frames.
What are Outside Mount Blinds?
An outside mount blind covers part of the window frame or all of the window casing. Here, your blinds have an extra inch or two on each side of the frame to ensure complete light control, providing a room-darkening option and privacy coverage. These extra inches create an effect of a thermal seal that physically blocks the perimeter of the window.
People also use these blinds to hide unattractive trims or uneven window proportions, or where the window frame is too shallow for an inside mount.
Pros and Cons of Inside vs Outside Mount Blinds
As the coin has two faces, each of the mount types also has its two faces. One where the mount looks perfect and another where it might lead to some questions being raised. So, here is the list of pros and cons of both mount types, studying which you can make an informed decision.
Advantages of Inside Mount Blinds
Some of the main reasons to opt for an inside mount blind are as follows:
- It provides a clean and sleek design, which is ideal for minimalist homes.
- These designs fit well within the window frames and preserve space as they do not lengthen into the room.
- Because of their smaller dimensions, these blinds may be more affordable than their counterparts.
- These shades are known to improve insulation as they fit inside the window frame.
Disadvantages of Inside Mount Blinds
- These window mounts are limited to the window size and may leak some light from the edges.
- Blinds mounted inside are restricted by frame size, and the small gaps might even affect privacy.
Advantages of Outside Mount Blinds
- Outside mount blinds can make your smaller-looking window appear bigger.
- It allows more freedom with the size of the blind you choose.
- It can completely block the leakage of light.
- Create a prestigious and luxurious feel.
Disadvantages of Outside Mount Blinds
- The mount system requires an external pole from which the blind is extended over the window. This makes them more difficult and expensive to install, depending on the mounting surface.
- The blinds that are mounted outside the window frame are more exposed to dust and dirt that accumulates in a room. This makes frequent cleaning a necessity and a nuisance. Well, if you need a
Installation Guide: Inside vs Outside Mount Blinds
Whether you are choosing window blinds with an inside or outside mount, the question will arise: How to fit window blinds. Well, the method to install each type of window blinds is different. The installation guide for inside mount blinds is way different than the installation guide for outside mount blinds.
Installation for Inside Mount Blinds:
With inside blinds, you can only order your coverings half an inch smaller than the dimensions of your window frame. Measure your window casings vertically and horizontally wall-to-wall and order your window coverings 1 or 2 cm smaller. This will ensure your blinds don’t scrape your window frames.
Remember, here uneven frames can complicate inside mount installations. If the frames aren’t perfectly straight, you might need to adjust the bracket placement. In such a case, contact an installation expert before removing any protective packaging, so that you can make adjustments without damaging the product.
Installation for Outside Mount Blinds:
While inside mount blinds required their window coverings to be 1-2 cm smaller than the window frames, outside mount blinds required the mounts to be marked 2-4 inches above the window frame. This mount style also requires your blinds’ size to be 5-6 inches or 15-20 cm extra on all sides.
As these mounts bear more weight and leverage. Using studs, heavy-duty toggle bolts, or wall anchors is a necessity. Position the brackets carefully, allowing 2-3 inches of extra space on each side.
Design & Style: Impact on Your Home
So, now we know how one mount style provides full control and privacy while the other allows some rays to leak in; let us understand what impact each type has on your home.
When you install a loose-fitting, inside mount blind, you can keep your room almost 15% to 20% cooler. However, with a tightly fitted outside mound blind, the same solar heat can be blocked by up to 60%. That is the reason why the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) emphasizes a tight fit over loose fitting if keeping your home temperature low is your ultimate goal.
Even the thermal imaging test confirmed these results, stating that outside mount blinds lower how hot the room feels to your skin. This happens because it covers the entire frame, preventing even the wooden or vinyl trim from radiating heat into your room.
Here is a guide to understand which blind type will effectively moderate heat in your home.
| Blind Type | Heat Gain Reduction | Best Use Case |
| Highly Reflective Blinds | 35% – 45% | South- and West-facing windows. |
| Cellular Shades | Up to 60% | All-season insulation (keeps heat in during winter too). |
| Exterior Solar Screens | Up to 80% | Large glass areas/patios in desert climates. |
| Standard Roller Blinds | 15% – 20% | Moderate sun; effectiveness depends heavily on color. |
Note: A white/light-colored blind is known to reduce heat gain by up to 18.5%. Whereas a dark-colored blind may only reduce heat gain by 5.2%.
Final Verdict: Inside vs Outside Mount Blinds
Windows are the one place where your privacy and portrayal come together. It will protect you from unwanted eyes and unwanted heat while also keeping the insides of your home in check. After understanding both mount types, here is our final judgment.
Choose Outside Mount if: Your primary goal is maximum cooling in a room with a punishing West-facing window. Ensure you have at least 2 inches of overlap on all sides to “seal” the opening.
Choose Inside Mount if: You prefer the look, but you should look for “cellular shades with side tracks.” This gives you the efficiency of an outside mount with the clean look of an inside mount.
Choose the best type of window coverings and professional installation companies like Blue Chips Shutters & Blinds to turn complex layouts into simple proceedings. Professional installation often includes warranties on both the product and the labor, offering peace of mind that DIY efforts might not provide.
FAQs
- What is the difference between inside mount vs outside mount blinds?
- The main difference is that inside mount blinds stay inside the window frames, while outside mount blinds go on the wall and cover the whole window.
- Are outside mount blinds better for blocking light?
- Yes, the Department of Energy suggests outside mount blinds block the heat gain better because they cover the full window and hide the sun better.
- Do inside mount blinds look better?
- It has been noted that people find inside mount blinds neat and tidy because they stay tucked away.
- Which is easier to install: inside mount or outside mount blinds?
- Outside blinds are usually easier because your measurements do not have to be perfect. For inside mounts, you have a very low margin for error.
- Which window blinds should I choose for small windows?
- For smaller windows, outside blinds work best because they make tiny windows look much bigger.
- Can Blue Chip help me choose between inside mount and outside mount blinds?
- Yes, they have experts who will come to your house for free to help you pick the best window covering according to your requirements.
