On a small window the problem is not covering the glass — it is that the mechanism and the stack take up a large share of it. Narrow slats and compact mechanisms are the answer: 16 mm aluminium rather than 63 mm timber, and a face fit rather than a recess fit where the reveal is shallow. Free measure and quote — call 081 411 8471.
Stack Height Is the Whole Problem
Every blind keeps some of the window covered when fully open. On a 1,800 mm window a 180 mm stack is a tenth of the glass and invisible. On a 600 mm bathroom window it is nearly a third.
| Type | Stack at 900 mm drop | Share of a 600 mm window |
|---|---|---|
| Roller | ~45 mm rolled | ~7% |
| 16 mm aluminium venetian | ~80 mm | ~13% |
| 25 mm aluminium venetian | ~95 mm | ~16% |
| 50 mm faux-wood venetian | ~120 mm | ~20% |
| 63 mm basswood venetian | ~135 mm | ~23% |
Rollers win on small windows for exactly this reason: the fabric rolls onto a tube instead of stacking.
Minimum Widths
Mechanisms have a floor. A roller clutch needs roughly 300 mm of width to work; below that the blind exists but the mechanism is cramped and short-lived. Venetian tilt mechanisms need similar. For very narrow openings — a bathroom slot window, a door light — a cordless spring roller or a simple fixed panel is often the more honest answer than forcing a chain mechanism into 250 mm.
Shallow Reveals
Small windows frequently come with shallow reveals, and a recess fit needs about 55 mm of depth for a roller or 70 mm for a venetian. Below that, face fit above the opening. You lose the flush look and gain better light blocking — on a bathroom or bedroom window that trade is usually worth taking. See how to measure for blinds.
Handles and Openers
A window handle protruding 40 mm into a 100 mm reveal will stop a recess-fitted blind closing, and on a small window there is nowhere for it to hide. Either face fit clear of the handle, or specify a blind that stops above it. This is the single most common measuring failure on small openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smallest blind you can make?
Around 300 mm wide for a chain-operated roller, because the clutch needs room to work. Narrower openings are better served by a cordless spring roller or a fixed panel.
What blind loses the least glass on a small window?
A roller. The fabric rolls onto a tube rather than stacking in slats, so it takes about 45 mm at the top against 120 mm or more for a 50 mm venetian.
Should a small window blind be recess or face fitted?
Face fitted, usually. Small windows often have shallow reveals and protruding handles, and both problems disappear when the blind sits on the wall above the opening.
Get a Free Measure & Quote in Cape Town
Window Blinds Cape Town measures, manufactures and installs across the metro. Call 081 411 8471 for a free on-site measure and quote, or browse the other blind guides.