A window covering isn’t just a device that offers privacy; it’s a decorative piece of your home or business that provides a clean, finished look. When it comes to mounted window treatments, one of the most versatile and customizable options on the market today is roller shades.
Today, we’ll outline how to install roller shades and discuss inside vs. outside mount roller shades.
Getting Started
The best way to begin any DIY project is by gathering all the necessary tools. Besides the hardware packaged with mounted blinds or shades, you will need some basic tools to secure the blinds correctly. Before attempting to install the shades, gather the following equipment:
- Tape measure
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Pliers
- Pencil
- Screwdriver
If you can’t safely access the top of the window frames, make sure you have a ladder or step stool on hand. Keep the manufacturer’s instructions nearby while you work so you can conveniently reference them.
Roller shade installation is pretty much the same from one brand to another. The instructions may offer some insight into how to streamline the process.
How to Install Inside Mount Roller Shades
Before ordering your blinds, you must decide between inside vs. outside mount roller shades. Inside-mount roller shades are popular for offices and homes with an understated aesthetic. They are narrower than outside mount shades because they fasten to the inside of the window frame.
Here’s how to install inside-mount roller shades:
Mark the Brackets
Every roller shade comes with two installation brackets that mount to your window and support the shade. The brackets need to line up as close as possible to prevent the blinds from sitting unevenly or becoming hard to adjust.
The brackets should be no closer than ¼ inch from the window so the shade can go up and down without interference. Leave another ¼ inch of space from the top of the bracket to the top of the window frame. This way, the shade will fit when you want it completely rolled up.
Use pencil marks in the window trim to indicate where the corners of the brackets will go, along with the spots where the screws will go.
Mount the Brackets
Drill the holes in the window frame preemptively to make the bracket installation easier. Your pencil marks will show you where the screws go and how the brackets should sit.
Certain roller shade brackets have a specific designation for the right or left side of the shade. The instruction manual will tell you if your brackets are universal or have a left or right specification.
The bracket opening should face the ceiling. Once you have the corresponding bracket to the side you’re working on, use the fasteners that came with the shade to secure it
Mount the Roller Shade
After securing the brackets to the window frame, the roller shade will fit. One side of the shade will have a round pin that fits directly into the bracket. The other bracket has a slot that the shade’s flat pin can slide into and lock in.
Install the Safety Cord Guide
The safety cord guide holds the cord in its place, ensuring that the shade functions correctly. You can place it in the window or next to it, whatever you prefer.
Position the cord guide in a way that lets the cord hang loosely inside. The chain should have no tension.
Mark the area where you want the safety cord guide and proceed to secure it to the window frame or wall. Once you’ve screwed in the base of the cord guide, your shades are complete. You now know how to install roller shades with an inside mount.
How to Install Outside Mount Roller Shades
Outside-mount roller shades block more light than inside-mount blinds since they cover the whole window. Most homeowners choose these blinds for bathrooms and bedrooms to give maximum privacy.
The steps to install these shades are basically the same as their indoor counterparts—with a few key differences.
Mark the Brackets
The brackets for outside mounted blinds can go almost anywhere you want them to. You can put them on the sides of the window frame, at the top, or just above it.
Use the same area you measured when you ordered the blinds. Otherwise, you may end up with a gap at the lower end of the blinds by the window opening.
Measure and mark the spots for the brackets, making sure they are even. Brackets for outside mounted shades require a minimum of ¼ inch of space from the wall. If you’re unsure whether your shade will be long enough to meet the brackets, or if you fear they will be too close to the wall, have a professional measure them.
Mount the Brackets
These brackets work exactly like the inside mount brackets. If you’re mounting the shades into aluminum, brick, or concrete, you may have to add anchors to the wall before installing them.
Place the Roller Shade
The roller shade locks into place the same way as it would with the inside mounting. Find the round and flat pins at either end of the roller shade and insert them into the corresponding brackets.
Install the Safety Cord Guide
The cord guide keeps the roller shade function intact. You can secure it at any angle you like outside or inside the window opening. Ensure the cord has no twists or tangles, and keep it loose.
Use the two holes at the base of the cord guide to screw it into position.
Contact Us to Install Your Roller Shades
If you’re unsure how to install roller shades, The Window Valet’s experienced technicians can help.
Contact us today to learn about our first-rate window treatments in Indianapolis, IN, and the surrounding areas. Call our team at (317) 999-5154 to get your free quote.
