How to quickly hang and install blinds on plastic windows
So you bought the blinds and now you need to install them. Installing blinds on windows is a simple task, and you can do it yourself without resorting to the help of specialists. However, this must be done with care, as damage that occurs during installation will void your warranty service. Let's see how to install blinds on plastic windows correctly and avoid critical mistakes.
Varieties and their design
Blinds are available in the market in various styles and colors. You can choose any model that suits your particular interior. By design features, most models are divided into three types: vertical, horizontal and roller blinds. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each of the varieties.
Vertical
Vertical curtains are made of long vertical stripes, also called slats. Most models are made of plastic, fabric, wood and aluminum. Such blinds have the ability to visually increase the height of the walls in the room. It should be noted that the cuts between the stripes are not only vertical, they are also made in decorative forms.
You can order curtains in monotonous colors, or you can find variations with different patterns that will add variety to your room interior.
Horizontal
Vertical curtains or, as they are also called, Venetian are blinds in which the stripes, as the name implies, are arranged horizontally. These curtains are made from different materials: mainly wood, fabric or aluminum. There are even varieties made from bamboo.
The width of the stripes in the models directly depends on the material. So, it is customary to make strips for aluminum curtains with a width of no more than two and a half centimeters, while the width of wooden curtains reaches five centimeters. Horizontal curtains tend to visually give the room width, so their installation can perfectly fit into the interior of many rooms.
Roller shutters
The roller blinds are made of a special durable fabric. Unlike vertical and horizontal blinds, they do not consist of slats, but represent a one-piece structure that can be wound with a wire and unrolled. There are curtains of different colors, with or without patterns, as well as transparent varieties.
Preparation and measurements
So, let's proceed directly to the process of installing curtains on plastic windows.This is a fairly simple process that does not require any special professional training. However, remember that if you install it yourself, you lose the right to a warranty replacement of the blinds if they are damaged. during the installation process.
What is necessary
To install the blinds on the windows, we will need the curtains themselves, as well as a screwdriver, a tape measure, a construction level and a pencil for marking.
What to measure
The measurement stage is the most important stage, since the operation of the whole structure depends on the accuracy of the measurements. This is especially true for curtains attached to self-tapping screws, since in case of incorrect installation you will have to make new holes in the wall. Things are much easier with curtains that are attached with tape - you will just have to stick them back together.
Carefully and accurately, using a tape measure, measure the parameters of the window - its height and width. Also, for the correct location, it is necessary to determine the gap between the fasteners and the required distance from the lower edge of the curtains to the floor. If you are installing horizontal blinds on window frames, you will need to know the dimensions of the glass.
How to install vertically do it yourself
Consider the process of installing vertical blinds. If your windows are of standard sizes, installation should not cause difficulties - you can first select a model of blinds of suitable sizes for standard windows. Failing that, it is necessary to properly measure, mark and adjust the size of the curtains so that they match the size of the window.Initially, choose curtains that will slightly exceed the height of the frame in length.
markup
Before you start marking and directly installing the curtains, check that all the necessary parts are included in the kit. After that, the first thing we do is markup. Reliable manufacturers make the design of the curtains themselves as correct as possible and corresponding to geometric standards. Therefore, when marking, it must be carried out clearly, with an accuracy of one millimeter.
At the same time, observe the symmetry so that the curtains look neat and do not spoil the interior with an oblique cut.
Rating per level
To ensure that the curtains are not askew during installation, use a level. Place the curtain rod against the wall and position it horizontally using a construction level. Mark the mounting locations, then proceed directly to installation.
mounting bracket
Three brackets are enough to install the brackets in a concrete wall. In the case of drywall, you will need to install a support for every half meter. In some types of cornices, brackets are not used for fastening, and the cornice is installed directly on the wall.
Drive the brackets into the marked locations. An additional fastener should be installed directly next to the operating mechanism, since this is the weakest point of the structure, and in the absence of fasteners here, the curtain can be torn off with one sharp movement and careless.
When installing the curtain rod to the brackets, insert the pieces until they click into place. Too loose installation of parts will also lead to a weak structure.When the cornice is fixed, the material remains small - install the upper fasteners of each of the vertical strips (slats) in the guides and stretch them along the lower edges of the chain. That's it, the construction is ready. Recheck the strength of the fasteners and the functionality of the mechanism.
Installation instructions for horizontal models
Installing horizontal blinds is a bit more difficult than installing vertical blinds. This is due to the fact that here you will have to mount not only the upper bracket, but also the lower bracket.And this means that the marking will have to be done more carefully, because with horizontal curtains there is a high risk of getting fool with the distance between the holes. In addition, it is necessary to first select a model of suitable sizes. This is especially important if you install blinds not on the wall, but directly in the window opening.
Attaching the top tethers
Trays and curtain rod for horizontal blinds attach in the same way as for vertical blinds. First, carefully measure the locations of the fasteners using a tape measure and construction level, and mark them with a pencil. Before drilling holes in the wall, make sure that the marked points are symmetrical to each other and check the distance between them again.
If everything is marked correctly, proceed with the installation of fasteners. Start by drilling holes in the marked places on the wall, then attach the bracket using self-tapping screws. Remember to respect the spacing of the holes. For a gypsum wall, the distance between the fasteners should not exceed eighty centimeters, otherwise the cornice will not hold well.For a concrete wall, two or three fasteners are sufficient for the entire length.
How to hang a cornice
Install the curtain rod directly on the brackets. Insert each of the fasteners before you hear a click - this indicates that the part is securely fastened.
Drilling the holes for the lower fixings
The next step is to mark the holes to attach the bottom board. Also, check that they are well marked before drilling, because if the holes are misplaced, at best you will have to drill a new hole. If the marking is done correctly, make holes in the right places and fix the bottom board. Many models of horizontal curtains require additional ties on the sides. This is necessary to install the retainer in the corners.
Additional tips
Choose the correct size blinds and carefully mark the mounting holes, as installation errors will cause the mechanism to malfunction. If there is a deep enough interior opening near the windows, you can place blinds directly in the opening.
For this, you need to accurately measure its dimensions and choose a curtain model that will be slightly smaller than the size of the opening.
There is also the possibility of installing directly in the door leaf, for this you will need to drill a profile. With this option, you need to be especially careful, because the holes in the profile will violate its integrity, which will cause drafts. The curtain brackets themselves neutralize them, but you need to be careful when installing them so as not to disturb the structure.
How to hang roller shutters
Roller blinds are a special type of blinds that, as the name suggests, roll up in the shape of a roller.There are many types of roller shutters that differ from each other in the way they are attached. They are attached to self-tapping screws or adhesive tape. You can hang the blinds on the window itself, on the wall or on the ceiling. There are models with manual and automatic mechanisms, allowing you to easily open or close the structure in seconds.
Mounting on self-tapping screws
Installation of roller shutters on self-tapping screws, as in the case of horizontal and vertical blinds, begins with marking and making holes for fasteners.Then attach the brackets to the marked holes in the frame or wall and secure them with self-tapping screws. Install the hose with the roller and latches inserted into the bracket until it clicks into place. Secure the ends of the pipe with the special caps included in the kit.
On special adhesive tape
The method of installing curtains on tape is the safest and most versatile. If the structure is installed incorrectly, it will be enough to simply peel off the tape and re-glue the structure, as it should be.
Attach the fixing plane to the support. Clean and degrease the area where the top of the blind is going to be glued. Peel off the protective layer of tape and stick the mount firmly to the frame or wall. Then install the roller itself on the supports in the same way as in the previous paragraph.
Hang the blinds on the frame
A common way to install roller blinds is to hang them not on the wall, but directly on the window frame. The advantage of this method is that it efficiently uses the window sill space.The curtains cover only the window itself, the window sill remains free. For fixing to a window frame, you should choose the lightest structure model.
How to properly hang interframe curtains
Installation of interframe curtains is the most difficult and requires the utmost care. In this case, the design of the window profile is violated, since you will have to drill holes in the frame.
For installation, first open the frame and attach the blinds to the inner sash to check that the dimensions are correct. Mark carefully. After that, holes are drilled in the frame for fasteners and a cord. Brackets are installed, handles and cord are out. The blinds are fixed to the frame. An adapter and a control handle are installed, as well as a retainer. Then the frame is assembled.
Common Mistakes
Many people often make mistakes when choosing and installing blinds. Most often, errors are encountered at the stage of selecting the width of the curtains and marking the holes. The most important thing to remember when choosing a model is that the width of the curtains and the width of the canvas are different characteristics.
Overall width means the distance between the outermost fasteners, while the canvas is often made narrower.
When installing, always carefully make the markings and monitor their symmetry, as well as compliance with the level of the building, since errors in drilling can disrupt the operation of the structure.
Tips & Tricks
When installing accessories for folding curtains or curtains, be sure to check whether the structure does not interfere with the opening and closing of the folded window sash.Also, you need to check that flower pots and other objects on the window sill do not interfere with the operation of the curtain mechanism.