Remington CroftInside vs Outside Mount Curtain Measuring Compared
Last updated: September 16, 2026 — rechecked against Dunelm and M&S measuring guides plus Jane Clayton hardware specs and updated where details changed.
Reviewed by Emily Holmes, General Reviewer, following our test method.
A practical walkthrough for inside vs outside mount curtains: inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control in plain order, the main options compared side by side, and the mistakes that cause redos flagged up front. Pick one option from the table and work it fully.
Quick answer: compare paths first using the table below. Confirm fit against inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control, frame depth minimum. Check the mistakes section before you commit. Details and FAQs below.
Quick Comparison Table Inside vs Outside Light and Look
Pick one path first — that choice matters more than any single tip below. The table maps the main options; the sections below resolve fit and failure modes.
Illustrative stock photo via Pexels.
| Method | Key Points | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Comparison Table Inside vs Outside Light and Look | Main checks for quick comparison table inside vs outside light and look — full detail in the section below | See whether this matches your case below |
| When Inside Mount Works Best | Main checks for when inside mount works best — full detail in the section below | See whether this matches your case below |
| When Outside Mount Adds Height | Main checks for when outside mount adds height — full detail in the section below | See whether this matches your case below |
Related: How to Measure for Curtains in 2026 (Width, Drop, Fullness).
Heads-up: inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control, frame depth minimum differ from case to case, so use the steps here as the reliable core and confirm current specifics in Sources before you decide.
When Inside Mount Works Best
Work through inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control in order: confirm the starting point, run the steps once without skipping, then verify the result before moving on.
- Use it when: your case matches this option.
- Skip it when: another option below fits better.
- Spec to confirm: the one detail readers get wrong here — check it in Sources.
When Outside Mount Adds Height
For when outside mount adds height, define the goal, try the smallest complete version first, and check it against inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control before continuing. Where details vary, verify specifics in Sources.
Measuring Checklist for Each
For measuring checklist for each, define the goal, try the smallest complete version first, and check it against inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control before continuing. Where details vary, verify specifics in Sources.
Renter No Drill Mount Workarounds
Measure the hardware, not the window — that's the whole game. Drop starts somewhere different on every heading: track top, pole top, ring eye, eyelet top plus three centimetres, tab top — measure from your hardware's origin or you'll finish an inch or two short (Jane Clayton specs). Hang the rod twelve to fifteen centimetres above the recess and fifteen to thirty each side, then measure the drop in three places and cut to the shortest — floors and sills are never level (Dunelm, B&M).
Setup Tips to Get Better Results Faster
Prep beats rework here: gather what you need once, note your starting point, keep inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control in mind while you work, and stop at the first unexpected result to re-check fit.
FAQs Mount Types
What is the fastest way to handle this?
Start with the comparison table, pick one path, and finish its checks fully. Switching mid-way is slower than one clean pass.
What do most guides miss here?
Most short guides skip the fit checks — inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control. The sections above cover them so you don't have to piece it together from five tabs.
When should I choose a different option here?
When your situation points to another option below — use the related guide for that option instead of forcing this one to fit.
Where can I verify current details?
Use the primary sources in Sources below — provider pages and official references change faster than any guide.
How much wider than the window should curtains be?
Roughly double the pole width for eyelets, less for pencil pleats — the header sets the multiplier, not the glass.
Bottom Line
Compare the options first, confirm fit against inside mount recess, outside mount overlap, light gap control, then check the mistakes section. Use the related guides below for background and nearby options.
Related Guides
- How to Measure for Curtains in 2026 (Width, Drop, Fullness)
- How to Measure a Window for Curtains and Rod Placement
- How to Measure Bay Windows for Curtains and Rods
- Blackout Curtain Measuring for Full Light Coverage
Sources: verify current details in primary references for inside vs outside mount curtains — Installer mount guides + retailer diagrams + rental improvement pages. Evidence is thin where providers differ; prefer official pages over aggregators.