How To Put Up Blinds, Shades, Curtains And Shutters
Blinds, shades and curtains are the three main window covering options, as well as shutters. But, as you probably already know, they are all very different from each other. Blinds comprise lots of individual slats that you twist into place with a cord while shades roll down and cover your window with a low profile piece of material. Curtains are perhaps the most common (though that is changing), being made of panels of fabrics that you draw inwards and outwards sideways.
You can get professionals to put up your blinds, shades and curtains for you, but you can also DIY. In fact, it’s usually pretty easy. Read on to learn more.
How To Put Up Blinds, Shades, Curtains And Shutters
How To Put Up Blinds
It doesn’t matter how much you love sunlight or the view, you still need ways to control the amount of light entering your rooms. Blinds are made of different types of materials. Real wood blinds are the most expensive. In real wood blinds, each slat is made of painted or treated wood. Faux wood blinds are made of cheaper composites. They tend to be more durable than the cheapest option, vinyl blinds.
To put up blinds, you’ll need the following tools:
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Two-foot level
- Tape measure
- Pencil
Start by measuring the width and length of your window. This will tell you how large the blind needs to be.
Ask where you will install the top of the blinds (the unit that houses the various pulleys and cords). You can install this directly above the window trim, on the window trim, or inside the window casing.
Usually, window blinds come in standard widths and can then be cut to size at the store.
Measure the top middle and bottom of the window. Use the shortest measurement as your window width.
Then measure the length of the window on the left, middle and right. Choose the longest measurement as the window length.
Once you have your length and width measurements, hand them over to the store making your blinds for you. They will then custom cut your blinds.
To attach window blinds to the casing of your window, or the wall, you’ll need to use brackets. The blinds will usually slide into the bracket.
Choose locations for the window brackets in the location where you would like to place the blinds and then drill them into place. Once you have the drill holes, secure the brackets in place using the screws provided with your blinds.
Once the brackets are securely screwed into place, slide the blind header into them so that they hold it in place firmly. The blinds should snap into place.
Depending on the design of your blinds, the manufacturer may supply them with trim. To install the trim, follow the instructions. Usually this means first installing plastic clips onto the top of the blind and then attaching an attractive trim piece into place.
How To Put Up Shades
Putting up shades requires roughly the same approach as blinds.
Tools you’ll need include:
- Measuring tape
- Screwdriver
- Pencil
- Drill
- Step tool or latter
Start by measuring the window frame and then choosing a blind of appropriate size. If the blind is too large, it will operate in a cumbersome manner. If it’s too small, then it won’t provide you with enough shade. Follow the measuring process described above.
Next, install the brackets. You can install these on either side of the window frame, or on the top inside edge of the window trim, depending on the design of the shade system.
Make sure that there is a small amount of play between the brackets and the rollerblind unit. If you mount the brackets too tight, then the shades might not function correctly.
When mounting the shade, ensure that there is at least a quarter inch of space between the shade and the window frame. Providing sufficient clearance will make it easy for you to lift the shade into its brackets. It will also provide additional space for the rolled up shade material over time (since it may not roll as tightly as the shade gets older).
If you want to use a ceiling mount, start by holding the shade in the desired position. Make sure that it is level and then mark with a pencil at either side of the roller. Use the drill to create mounting holes for the brackets and then screw them into place. Then slide the top of the shade unit into place until it clips.
How To Put Up Shutters
Putting up Plantation Shutters Melbourne is incredibly straightforward. It’s just like putting up a picture in your house.
Hold the shutter next to your window and line it up. Most shutters have six holes. Take a slim pencil and push it through the pre-drilled holes to mark on the wall where your screws will go.
Then remove the shutter from the wall and drill some pilot holes with a small drill bit. Then place the shutter back on the wall and use the supplied screws to drill it into place.
There are many different kinds of shutters, so find out more about your units before you attempt to install them.
How To Put Up Curtains
Putting up curtains is easy. The most challenging part is putting up the curtain pole.
To do this, mark the location of the curtain pole on the wall using a pencil. You may need a step ladder to do this.
Next drill some pilot holes into the wall and use some grommets if you are drilling into masonry or drywall.
Place the curtain pole over the top of the window frame in the desired position and drill it into place. Make sure that it is secure and won’t come loose.
Now fit the curtain. Eyelet curtains are the easiest. Remove the pole from the mount and feed it through the eyelets on the top of the curtain. Then clip it back into place.
Some curtains have a loop of fabric at the top. Again, feed the curtain pole through this loop (on both curtain panels), and then reattach it to its mount.
