Measuring & Installing Blinds Tips

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What tools should you have on hand when installing horizonal blinds?

How to Install Horizonal Blinds

Installing blinds on your own can be a fairly simple process if you follow the proper procedures and use the right tools. For blind installation you will need a drill, ¼” hex drill bit, scissors, a pencil and a metal measuring tape.

First unwrap your blinds and make sure you have all of the parts. Each blind should include end brackets, screws, a valance and valance clips; some may also have a center bracket for more support if they are a larger size.

Now, leaving your cord wrapped around your blinds hold them up to the window to determine placement. For inside and outside mounted blinds your headrail must be level to ensure proper placement. Once you have them level use your pencil to mark the location of the brackets. When mounting brackets for an inside mount you must make sure your brackets are level and flush with your window frame. Outside mount brackets should be positioned with the blinds open to determine the center of your window frame and the length of the blinds. Drilling a hole with your drill bit and using two screws per bracket to secure them in place can install the brackets. It is extremely important to make sure your brackets are straight and level.

Next, you should install your valance clips. It is important to put on your valance clips before your hang your blinds; otherwise you will have to remove the blinds to insert valance clips. Attach valance clips to the face of the headrail and spread them evenly across the headrail to secure it in place.

After your valance clips are in place it is time to hang your blinds. Release all cords on the blinds and open your bracket doors, then slide the headrail into the mounting bracket and close the bracket latches until they snap into place. Once your blinds are level and in place, then install your valance. The valance should be placed in the desired position on the headrail by putting the top part in the top of the valance clip. Now lightly push down and it should snap into place. After installing your valance your blinds should be hung and ready to use. If you find your cord is too long your can shorten it by simple sliding the tassel up exposing the knot and cutting it off to the desired length then retying a knot in your cord and sliding the tassel back down into place.

   
What is the most common type of mount for vertical blinds?

Measuring for Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds typically hang like draperies. These blinds are often used for large windows or sliding glass doors. All vertical blind vanes rotate and usually draw like draperies. You may request a two-way or one-way draw. For glass sliding doors a one-way draw works best. An outside mount is most common for this type of blind because they usually require a window opening depth of at least 4 ½”, and patio door handles protrude and would interfere with an inside mount. However, vertical blinds can be mounted inside the window frame, if your window has enough depth.

Measuring for vertical blinds with an outside mount requires you to measure the width of the window trim including the frame, then add at least 4” on each side for overlap and minimum light gap. When measuring for blinds, any kind, you must be extremely accurate to ensure the proper width, length and fit for your window.

   
When measuring for blinds, what part of the window do you measure?

How to Measure for Window Coverings

Measuring for basic window coverings such as blinds and draperies is a simple task if you follow a few guidelines.

First, use a steel measuring tape. The steel measuring tape tends to give a more accurate measurement and they are easier to use for areas where your arms cannot reach. Next, always measure each window separately (even if they look like they are the same size) and measure the width first then the height. Be sure to make note of objects in the window area that may block or obstruct the window covering. Measure the entire area of the window including the depth, this will ensure your get blinds or other window coverings that fit exactly.

For inside mount coverings (meaning the covering will mount inside the window) you should measure the depth all around the window, including top, bottom and both sides. Then, use the narrowest measurement for the mounting point. You should also measure the window at the left side, middle and right side and use the longest measurement for the width of your window covering. Inside mounts require your window to be square. In order to check the squareness of your window you need to measure diagonally top left to bottom and top right to bottom left. If the measurements are equal your window is square if one measurement is significantly longer than the other then you might want to consider an outside mount covering because the inside mount will not fit your window correctly.

Outside mount window coverings (meaning coverings that mount above or on the window frame) are more versatile and will typically fit most windows. When measuring your window you should first determine where you are going to mount the window covering meaning on or above the window frame. Then, measure the outside width from the outside of the frame on top, in the middle and at the bottom. Now measure at the top of the frame to the bottom of the frame at the left side, then the middle and the right side. Outside mounting is common for windows with shallow depth and window covering with light control like blackout blinds or room darkening blinds.

   
What do you need to consider with inside mount for vertical blinds?

Inside Ceiling Mount for Vertical Blinds

The window glass is usually covered, at least partially, when you have an inside mount with vertical blinds. When measuring for an inside mount you need to measure the exact width of the window opening across where the headrail will be installed. Correctly measure from the inside trim on one side to the inside trim on the other and round the measurement down to the nearest 1/8”. Now, measure the exact height of the window from the inside trim to the top of the windowsill or the exact length you would like your blinds to hang. Next, measure the height in three places (left side, center and right side). Then measure the depth of your window frame. You can only use the “available” depth, which does not include inside trim, window cranks or tracks. Only include space that is available for installing mounting brackets. When choosing your vertical blind you will have to consider the minimum depth required to have a inside mount, so it will fit properly and not stick out of the window opening.

   
What is the first step to installing vertical blinds?

Installing Vertical Blinds

Outside mounts are most common when it comes to vertical blind installation. The first step is to secure your mounting brackets to the wall evenly above the window frame. Next, use mounting clips to secure the headrail. Place the headrail edge into the short side of the mounting clip and snap the backside of the rail into the clip.

Slide the valance into the valance clips on the mounting bracket and place the valance corners on each side. Now place the valance returns on the on the corners. These returns may have to be cut to fit your valance. Finally snap the vanes into each clip on the headrail and test your blinds.

   
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