At BlindsUpdate we want to make your window blinds shopping experience as pleasant, accurate and satisfactory as possible. We offer the follow instructions for installing horizontal blinds to assist you in your shopping. These instructions are the same for all 2” faux, 2” wood, 2-1/2” faux and 2-1/2” wood blinds.
Installation Instructions for Horizontal Blinds
Please take a moment to review the contents of your package. It should contain:
- Left and Right Box-Style Mounting Brackets for each blind
- Four Mounting Bracket Screws
- Center Support Bracket and Screws (included only when needed)
- Valance Clips (quantity and style will vary depending on width of blind and product ordered). See valance instructions for details.
Before you begin, be sure you have the following tools available for trouble-free blind installation:
- Tape measure
- Level
- Pencil
- Battery-operated screwdriver/drill
- Screwdriver/drill bits including Phillips and standard or hex-head driver
Mounting Brackets
The box-style mounting brackets are designed to work for both inside, outside and ceiling mounting applications. Refer to the figure for bracket and screw hole placement depending on the type of installation you are doing.
Outside mount brackets should be spaced 1/4" on each side of the headrail. Mark the screw holes with a pencil. Many window covering products require center support brackets for stability once the width exceeds 48". Be sure to mount the support brackets in positions that will not interfere with the tilt mechanisms in the headrail.
Line up the top of the center support bracket with the top of the end brackets, mark for screws. Insert and tighten screws through all brackets, making sure the brackets are straight and level.
Decorative Valance
Figure 2 In most instances, the decorative valance that comes with your blind will be attached with valance clips that must be inserted onto the headrail before the blind is mounted into the brackets. Once you have attached the valance clips to the blind headrail, mount the blind by sliding the headrail into the brackets. Press the front hinged cover plate of the installation brackets until it snaps into place. Then, snap the valance onto the valance clip.
Hold Down Brackets
If you are installing your blind on a door where the bottom of the blind needs to be secured when not raised, you will need to install hold down brackets. Release the blind to the full length and mark each side of the blind directly across from the hold-down pin in the bottomrail. Make sure that marks are level. Place top of hold-down bracket at the mark then screw the brackets to the mounting surface. Lower blind down and slip the pins into the brackets and bottomrail.
Operating Your Window Blinds
Your blinds may come with either a wand tilter or cord tilter depending on the style, size and options you may have chosen.
- Wand Tilters: Turn the wand to the left and slats will tilt upward, right will tilt slats downward.
- Cord Tilters: Pull the left cord and slats will tilt downward, right cord will tilt slats upward
- To raise your blinds, always keep slats fully opened (not tilted). To raise blind, pull the lift cord(s) straight down. The locking mechanism is a sliding rod type and will lock automatically when the cord is released. To lower blind, move lift cord toward center of blind and slowly raise while holding onto the cord. To lock blind in position, move the cord back to its straight down position and release. Supporting the bottomrail with your free hand will make raising and lowering your blind easier.
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Maintenance
Treat your blinds as you would any fine piece of furniture. For wood blinds, dust with a soft clean cloth or dusting mitt. Faux wood blinds can be wiped with a damp cloth to remove any spots. Avoid using harsh chemicals and cleaners on any of your blinds, whether wood or faux wood.
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WARNING
- Parents should know that children could accidentally strangle in window covering cords. Keep cords out of the reach of children. Use these devices available at local hardware or window covering stores:
- Cleat (sent with blinds upon request)
- Clamp or clothes pin
- Tie cord to itself
- Tie-Down device
- Use PROPER SCREWS. Two #6 screws are supplied for each bracket. These are self tapping, 3/4" (1.9 cm) long screws with slotted hex heads. suitable for wood or sheet metal surfaces. In METAL SURFACES drill holes with #31 (.120 inch or 3mm diameter) steel drill bit after starting hole with center punch or awl. In WOOD SURFACES; 7/64" (2.8 mm) drilled holes make driving the screw easier and minimize wood splitting. For PLASTER, DRYWALL, CONCRETE, STONE, BRICK OR TILE: use carbide drill and appropriate plugs, anchors or screws of proper type and length to fasten to stud, beam or other subsurface. Follow fastener manufacturer's recommendations.
- USE PROPER EYE PROTECTION when drilling mounting holes.
- When patio door blinds are raised. KEEP LIFT CORD AWAY FROM DOOR OPENING to prevent possible tripping hazard.
