If you want to measure rawhide lamp shades, it should be easy right? Well, you would think so but it can get difficult unless you know a couple of tricks. The problem is communicating the measurements to someone else.
We are makers of rawhide lamp shades and we talk with people everyday about what size shade might work best for them. Something we find a lot is that everyone seems to have different ways of measuring lamp shades 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 they give the shade’s length, referring to 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. To help our buyers we use some standard measuring tips to help share the correct information.
It’s not really important which measurement you list first or last but everyone needs to understand what you are referring to. This is what we do to avoid mistakes. You generally need three basic measurements, bottom diameter, top diameter and the height.
The top and bottom diameters are just measured across the opening from one side of the shade to the other. The height of a lampshade should be measured from top to bottom, straight up and down vertically, and not along the slant. This is the challenge that usually causes the most confusion.
Instead of worrying about measuring the length or slanted angle of the shade, think of the height as a vertical measurement.
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 what that measurement is vertically, you are assured that your lamp shade sits so that it drops 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 harp that is not as tall will lower the shade on the lamp. A taller harp will raise the shade higher 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 change in the height might make it possible for a stock lamp shade to work for you. That way you eliminate the need to have a custom shade made. The result will be that you easily get the right look on your lamp.
Keep these two very basic rawhide lamp shade measuring tips in mind. For your next project, give them a try. You will see just how easy it really is to measure a lamp shade. You’ll correctly fit your lamp just like the professional do it.
