How to install horizontal blinds on plastic windows?

Try to remove the tulle and curtains - and you will see how empty it becomes in the room. At the present time create a large number of options for curtains. It is not only about fabric. Today, blinds are often used as curtains. They perfectly protect the house from sunlight and a curious glance. These products are easy to assemble and dismantle. However, some are faced with certain problems: not everyone knows how to install blinds on plastic windows.In this article we will try to understand this in detail.

To create coziness there are more than 10 types of blinds: vertical and horizontal, roller and plisse, mansard and interframe, for arches and bay windows, Roman curtains and multifunctional, electric and protective (roller), photo blinds.

Blinds can be wooden, bamboo, metal (aluminum), fabric, plastic, paper.

Ease of use, reliability in operation, reasonable price, light-shielding properties led to the fact that horizontal blinds have become one of the most popular types. They are used in the design of windows and other openings (in a variety of rooms). But most often they are used all the same for windows, and in the modern world - for plastic versions.

If the owner installs blinds on his own, the manufacturer often refuses the warranty. There are quite understandable explanations: due to improper installation of the sash may simply not work, which means that the curtains will be unsuitable for use. In addition, with improper installation, the glass itself and / or the frame can be damaged.

But if you decide to do everything yourself, first, you need to determine the methods of fastening. Secondly (depending on the chosen method) - to purchase blinds. Thirdly, it is necessary to prepare tools and materials.

There are several mounting methods (depending on the window opening):

• If the window opening needs to be visually enlarged, the cassette can be attached to the wall above the opening. The block itself can be much wider than the window opening, and the height of the structure can be much larger than the frame itself. In appearance it can be full curtains;
• If the window opening is wide enough, the window sill is used as an additional (for example, flower) shelf, in which case the cassette can be attached to the upper slope of the opening - similar to installation on the ceiling. In this case, the window will visually look larger, and on the windowsill, by closing the blinds, you can hide important items from prying eyes. In addition, with this mount flowers will not be in the eternal shadow;
• If the window itself is large enough and does not require a visual increase (or a narrow sill), then the blinds can be attached to the fixed window frame, to the opening sash, to the glazing.

Having decided on the method of attachment, then you should prepare the necessary tools, including:

• Roulette. Its length should be sufficient to measure the width and height of the window opening in one step. If you yourself report the dimensions of future blinds to the manufacturer, you need to take measurements, focusing on the chosen method of attachment. If the cassette is mounted on the frame itself, the width of the lamellae (plates) should be 2-3 cm less than it. Otherwise, the sheets of the individual cassettes will interfere with each other. If you still make a mistake with the size, then keep in mind that even metal lamellae (plates) can be carefully trimmed with ordinary scissors on both sides - to preserve symmetry;
• Marker or pencil for marking;
• Cross-head screwdrivers and (or) screwdriver;
• Drill or hammer drill - to attach to a wall or ceiling;
• Dowels, screws and brackets;
• PVA glue or liquid nails - in case the hole turned out to be larger than the dowel, and it needs to be more firmly fixed in the wall or on the ceiling;
• Passatizhi;
• Hammer;
• Plumb (for example, from thread and bolt);
• Level to help position the structure correctly;
• Stepladder or desktop (chair).

So, the blinds are ready and unpacked. Everything you need is prepared too. It's time to start attaching, considering various methods of fastening.

If you are going to make markup for brackets on the wall, it is necessary to assemble the blinds, focusing on the instructions:

• At a distance of about 15 cm from the edges of the product, you need to mark places for fasteners. Do this with the help of roulette and level.

• The bracket must not be located at the point of fixing the retainer or at the place of the control system, otherwise it will interfere with the operation of the blinds. The distance between the brackets should be no more than 60 cm. As a rule, the width of a cassette unit does not exceed 2.2 m. If the window is large, then several canvases of blinds are made. The rule is preserved in any case: the wider the block, the more brackets are required for secure fastening.

• After installing the brackets, you need to push the latch forward. Carefully (slightly tilting to the wall), insert the upper cornice under the bracket latch, press it firmly against the wall and turn the latch all the way to the left 90 degrees.

• Rotate the slats in the "open-closed" by using the control knob, included in the kit. The length of the handle should not exceed 2/3 of the length of the canvas. If the handle is longer, then it must be removed from the frame, open the protective cap, saw off the extra length, put the cap back on and hang it on the frame.

The principle of attaching a cassette model to the ceiling or upper slope of a window opening is the same as when mounted to a wall. Differences will be observed in the method of mounting brackets. When mounting the bracket to the wall, horizontal holes are used, and when mounted to the ceiling or top slope - vertical.

The technology is as follows:

• Using a tape measure, determine the center of the window opening and mark up symmetrically (relative to the center). If you are going to mount the brackets, attach a cassette with blinds and check how they work: if the webs do not interfere with each other and the free movement of the cords, or if they touch the opening.

• Then connect the tags and check the horizontal level. Using a drill or a perforator, drill holes: under the screw with a 2.5 mm drill bit, under the dowel - depending on the plastic part.

• If you are going to make mounting brackets, once again check the level of the correct location of the cassette. It remains only to fix the brackets, fasten the eaves by turning the latch to the left by 90 degrees and insert the plugs. If you fastened the cornice with canvas, it means that the work is done. If not, then it remains to attach the canvas.

Directly to the frame of the cassette unit can be attached with screws, violating the integrity of the window frame. But you can attach blinds without drilling.

If you decide to use screws, their length should not exceed 10 mm, so as not to pierce through the window frame and not to break the tightness of the window unit. After marking and fastening the brackets with self-tapping screws, it is necessary to attach the blinds in the manner described earlier (insert the eaves, turn the latch to the left).

You can learn more about how to fix vertical aluminum blinds to the sash of a plastic window using drilling.

If you decide to do without screws and violate the integrity of the glass, you can use double-sided tape or brackets - clamps.And the tape can be attached to the cassette on the frame itself, and on the sash. But the brackets can only be used on the doors.

Scotch tape should be used for construction work, not for paper. This tape is not sold in the stationery store. You need to look for it in the stores of building materials and auto shops.

Installation of blinds with adhesive tape is possible in two ways:

• glue the tape directly to the cassette, and glue it to the window (sash);
• glue the brackets-clips on the tape, and attach the cassettes to them.

In any case - when using adhesive tape as a material for fixing the blinds, follow the instructions below:

1. This type of work should be carried out in the warm season, the glass unit should not be cold or covered with condensate.
2. It is necessary to wash the frame or glass, dry the anchorage and wipe it with acetone or solvent.
3. Mark up with a pencil, cassette, level; at the same time the line should be strictly parallel to the window sill so that a skewed gap does not form at the bottom. If the window sill itself is located with a slope, then you need to focus on the level and plumb,otherwise, the slats (louvre plates) will interfere with each other when closing. Their functionality will be broken.
4. Remove the protective film from the tape and gently glue strictly on the intended line.
5. Attach the canvas, if it was not attached initially.

Clamps-brackets are very convenient for sash. They produce several variants of such clips (plastic and metal), but they are all very easy to use. You can use them according to the following simple instructions:

1. Collecting the eaves, you need to fasten the canvas and assemble it. To fasten the canvas will be at the end of the installation work.
2. Try the clamp on the eaves, check the operation of the unit.
3. Depending on the specific model of the clip, open the window sash and snap the clip (upper edge of the window sash). You can first disconnect the cornice and the clips, snap them onto the sash - and then attach the cornice to the clamp.
4. Some models of clamps are equipped with stops that need to be fixed on the eaves.
5. Install the clips with magnets on the bottom of the sash.
6. Fasten the canvas, if not already done.
7. Fasten the magnets from the lower strip of the blind unit and the clips on the sash.

Since there are a lot of models of louver cassettes, there are a lot of removal methods too.

If your blinds are mounted on a twist-brackets, then they are removed by turning the latch to the right by 90 degrees, while they need to hold. After turning, the eaves weaken, its upper edge should be slightly tilted to the wall. The cassette comes out of the grooves, the blinds are removed. Depending on the purpose for which you are removing the blinds, the canvas can be pre-assembled or left loose.

If the blinds are made in the form of a full-fledged cornice for curtains, then you need very carefully (but at the same time applying a little effort) to detach the top decorative bar. Under it is the mechanism of curtains. Collect the canvas from bottom to top. Raise the blinds up and to the right, removing them from the slots.

From the video below you can learn how you can independently remove horizontal blinds from removable fasteners.

So, the blinds are ready. Functional check carried out. Now the service life depends on the care and timely care of the lamellae.Weekly care of the plates is recommended. To do this, you can use a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush, a fleece cloth.

However, the blinds can be fully washed:

• Remove the control knob so as not to damage it during washing. Put a canvas or cornice with canvas into a bath filled with water. Lamellae should be dispersed along the entire length or slightly gathered.
• Add detergent to the water, carefully wash the blinds with a brush, immediately collect the cloth and rinse it under running water.
• Spread the newly laid cloth over the entire length onto a well-absorbing fabric before drying.
• Make sure that all the water spills out of the eaves and does not damage the mechanisms.

This method of cleaning the blinds should be used very carefully, so as not to crumple the slats and not to damage the cords. In addition, not every kind of material from which the slats are made can be washed in water.

It is possible to wash horizontal blinds, without removing them. To do this, it is enough to use wet wipes, office equipment wipes, a damp microfiber cloth, a sponge or special brushes.

For wooden models you need to regularly take care of, wipe or vacuum from dust. Contaminants from fat droplets and insects are removed with furniture care products.

Now you are familiar with the options for installing horizontal blinds with your own hands and a simple tool. These tips will help you make your home or office more beautiful and more comfortable.