How to Install Vertical Blinds

How to fit a Vertical Blind

Drill Bits / Fixings

Drills & Tips:

Use an undersize drill bit on your first hole to see what type of fixing you will require, a push fit Rawlplug is best (not an oversize hole).

(1) φ5.5mm Tungsten tip Masonry Drill Bit, this drill bit will only fit SDS Drills, it is a powerful drill, however it is not a problem if you have a conventional hammer drill it just takes a little longer to drill the holes. See (fig 2) below.

(2) Standard φ5.5mm Tungsten tip Masonry Drill Bit fits conventional drills.
Tip: We find it is better to use a φ5.5mm drill bit rather than the recommended φ6mm drill bit with the Red Rawlplug (fig 6). As generally you tend to end up with a slightly oversized hole, the trick is to avoid this; you can always re-drill the holes with the φ6mm drill bit if the holes are too small, once you have drilled the pilot holes. Try to achieve a good push fit with the Rawlplug (fig 6), use (No6 or 8) x 32mm long Prodrive Woodscrews (fig 9,10).

(3) High Speed Twist Drill Bit φ6.0mm HSS. This drill bit would be used for the Fischer Plaster Plug (fig7) i.e. use for plasterboard and hollow fixings. TIP: Tight fit with plaster plug use (No6 or 8) x 32mm long Prodrive Woodscrews (fig 9,10).

(4) High Speed Twist Drill Bit φ3mm HSS. This drill bit would be used if you have a steel lintel. TIP: Use a little oil on the tip of the drill, 3 in 1 or something similar to help lubricate the cutting action and save the tip of the drill, be patient apply firm even pressure, give the drill bit time to cut through the metal too much pressure and the drill bit will snap, release the pressure as it breaks through, it is not the same as cutting masonry do not use the hammer action with HSS Drill Bits. Pre drill the plaster first with masonry drill bit to save the HSS Drill Bit tip.
Use Self Tapping Prodrive Screws the length will depend on the distance to the lintel (No 6) Self Tapping Screws 20-32mm long (fig 11,12,13).13 is a No8 Screw and would need a φ4mm drill bit.

(5) Carbide Tipped Drill Bit for drilling tiles φ8mm. TIP: Apply some masking tape to the face of the tile to prevent the drill slipping on the first initial cut, drill a φ8mm hole in the tile only, then change to the φ 5.5mm masonry Drill Bit (fig 2,1) to drill the remainder of the hole. Use Red Rawlplug (fig 6) or Fisher Plaster Plug (fig 7) dependant on your lintel type i.e. concrete, metal or is it hollow? Use the same method as described above for fixings, the φ8mm larger hole in the tile will prevent the tile cracking when the Rawlplug expands with the screws.

Fixings

(6) Red Standard Rawlplug use 32mm long size (No6 or 8) Prodrive Woodscrews (fig 9 or 10) φ5.5mm Drill Bit (fig1or 2).

(7) Fischer Plaster Plug (LDF) for plasterboard & hollow fixings with gaps of 2.5cm or more between plaster and lintel, use 32mm long, size (No6 or 8) Prodrive Woodscrews (fig 9 or 10) φ6.0mm Drill Bit (fig3). (Remember tight fitting hole).

(8) No6 20mm long Woodscrew Prodrive for Wood and PVC fixings.

(9) No6 32mm long Woodscrew Prodrive use with Red Rawlplug φ5.5mm Drill Bit or Fischer Plaster Plug φ6.0mm Drill Bit.

(10) No8 32mm long Woodscrew Prodrive use with Red Rawlplug φ5.5mm Drill Bit or Fischer Plaster Plug φ6.0mm Drill Bit.

(11) No6 20mm long Pan Head Self-Tapper Prodrive use for PVC & metal fixing, HSS Drill Bit φ3mm.

(12) No6 32mm long Pan Head Self-Tapper Prodrive use for metal fixing, HSS Drill Bit φ3mm.

(13) No8 32mm long Pan Head Self-Tapper Prodrive use for metal fixing, HSS Drill Bit φ4mm.

All fixings drill bits and tools can be purchased at any good tool merchants, B,Q ,or Screwfix.

Please note: The fixings we provide with your blinds may not be suitable for your particular installation; it is not possible to provide all fixings for every situation please use the guides above, to determine the best method and fixings to use, for each blind you are installing.

Top fix

Measure the depth of your handle from the window frame and add this to the standard 4cm required clearance (A) with 89mm louvres. This allows the louvres to rotate free from handles. Use 6cm (B) for 127mm louvres.

For 89mm louvres ((A) 4cm + (handle depth) 4cm =8cm), measure 8cm from your window frame and mark on the lintel with a pencil. Measure approximately 12cm from the sides to coincide with your depth measurement - this will be your bracket position. Add a centre fixing if your blind is over 1.5m.

Offer the bracket up to your marks and ensure the back of the bracket is furthermost from your handles (tab at the back) - mark through the hole. Drill and fix your brackets. Ensure the carriers in your vertical track are nearest to you as they are offset. Position the front channel nearest to you first and then press in the back.

Face Fix

If you decide to face fix off your window frame, the brackets supplied will give the correct clearance of 4cm for a standard handle.

Position your brackets approx 12cm in from the sides and the centre support if your track is over 1.5m. With the carriers in the headrail nearest you (as they are offset), position the back channel into the lug at the back of the bracket and bring up the front - meet the small screw and tighten.

Fitting louvre

Unroll the louvres and place hangers into the top pockets and ensure they are all the same way round (you can rotate the hanger to adjust the length a little if required).

Rotate the louvre carriers in the headrail with the beaded cord so they are at 90 degrees to your window (ie. in the open position). Draw the carriers to one end with the nylon cord and clip on your louvres - have all the hems facing the same way.

Fitting weights and chains

Start at one end and clip the beaded chain all down the front side first. Repeat this for the back and then hang the cord weight. If you need to realign the carriers, draw the louvers along the window and close them. Continue to rotate the beaded cord past the closed position and you will hear a clicking sound - this will automatically realign all the louvres.

Cleaning

Clean your blind with a dry or damp cloth or brush attachment with your vacuum cleaner.

Window Blind Cord Safety

Simple precautions to significantly reduce the risk.

Whilst window blinds and window furnishings are not inherently unsafe and many millions are sold every year, there have been instances of injury and child deaths involving accidents with window blind and window furnishings cords and chains. The cleats listed below are offered as an option at the time of placing your order, and will match to your blind type.

WARNING

In the interest of safety, please keep all pull cords and chains out of the reach of children. Move cots beds and other furniture away from blinds and install safety devices, such as cleats and cord tidies, to limit access to cords. Hanging cords can be a potential risk to children, so the greatest care needs to be taken at all times.

Control Anchor

This safety device would be most appropriate for blind types listed below.

Vertical Blind.

Control Anchor

This device is secured to an adjacent wall and the cord / chains are held permanently within the device.

Fitting

If you have requested a child safety cleat with your blind, and for some reason you can not find it please contact us to request a replacement, before fitting your blind.

Remove the cover. With the flat edge at the top, screw the backplate to an adjacent wall, at the height of the bottom of the control cord. Slip the cord over one of the pulley hooks and the chain over the other. Ensure that they are both taut. Shorten the chain accordingly if required. Do not shorten or cut the nylon cord. Replace the cover and check that the controls still work.

These instructions can also be found within the installation guides provided at time of purchase.

Use of additional safety devices may reduce the risk of strangulation or injury but cannot be considered foolproof. Persons in charge of children and vulnerable people are ultimately responsible for following the safety instructions provided by us the manufacturer.