The Easy Way To Measure Rawhide Lamp Shades

It should be a simple task to measure rawhide lampshades. It is easy actually, but without a couple of tips it can get complicated. Just try telling someone else what size the shade is and you'll see what I mean.

We make lampshades out of rawhide so we talk with a lot of people about the sizes of lamp shades that might work for them. Something we find a lot is that everyone seems to have different ways to measure and we all need to be on the same track.

Some designers give the bottom diameter first, then the height, and then the top. Some do it exactly the other way around. Others offer either the top or bottom measurements first then refer to the length of the shade meaning the angled side.

It can be very confusing until everyone gets on the same track so that we know what each other is talking about. In order to help our clients we have established some standards to try to help communicate the correct information.

It really doesn't matter which measurements come first or last as long as everyone understands what is being talked about. Here is how we do it to avoid misunderstandings. You basically need three measurements, bottom diameter, top diameter and the height.

The bottom and top diameter are simply measured across the opening from one side to the other. The height of a shade should be measured straight up and down vertically, not along the slant. This is the trouble maker that usually causes the most confusion.

You will be better off thinking of the shade height in terms of a vertical measurement rather than measuring the slant or "length" of the shade.

Shade Measuring Tip #1:

The main reason why you should measure height vertically (straight up and down) is because the height measurement from socket base to the top of the harp on your lamp is going to be the vertical distance you need the shade to cover.

By knowing that measurement vertically, you will make sure that your shade sits on the harp so that it drops sufficiently below the socket to look good.

The length is really not so important because if you have the top and bottom diameter that you want and the vertical height calculated, the slanted side of the shade will be adjusted automatically.

Shade Measuring Tip #2:

Something that many people usually never consider when they are looking for a stock lamp shade for their lamp is changing the height of the lamp. A small change like an inch or two on the height of a lamp usually doesn't make a lot of difference but can be exactly what you need to do to be able to order a standard shade rather than buying a custom shade.

The overall height of your lamp can be made taller or shorter by using a taller or shorter harp, which is the hoop over the bulb that the shade sits on. A shorter harp drops the shade down lower on the lamp. A taller harp raises the shade higher up on the lamp.

By switching the harp size, you are changing the vertical measurement of the shade that is necessary to cover the bulb socket as we spoke of above.

This difference in height may allow you to make a stock lamp shade look good. That way you eliminate the need to have a custom shade made. The result is that you get the correct look on your special lamp.

Keep these two very basic rawhide lamp shade measuring tips in mind. For your next project, give them a try. You will see how easy it is to measure a lamp shade. You'll correctly fit your lamp just like the professional do it.