Introduction
Installing cellular blinds on your windows can provide privacy, shade, and style, while reducing cooling and heating energy costs. consumption, improve comfort, reduce glare, and improve a home’s resistance to extreme heat events.
Why
Installing cellular blinds can save energy in the summer by blocking heat from the sun. They can also save energy in the winter by providing an insulating layer at night. Studies show they are twice as effective as vinyl miniblinds at stopping heat transfer through the window. They improve comfort, provide privacy, and stop glare. Installation will vary depending on manufacturer, so manufacturer’s instructions should be followed. Below is one example of an installation. This example shows concepts that can apply to all installations.
What You'll Need
- Cellular shade kit, precut to fit the desired window
- Manufacturer’s installation instructions
- Step stool or ladder to reach the top of the window from the inside
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Level
- Drill with drill bit (see manufacturer’s instructions for bit size)
- Screwdriver, socket wrench, or other device for screwing in screws
1. Determine inside or outside mount.
Decide whether the blinds will be mounted on the inside or outside of the window well. Both are inside the home; the difference is whether the blinds are mounted inside or outside of the window well (Figure 1). The example in this guide is for an inside mount installation.
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2. Measure window well.
Because this example is for an inside-mount installation, measure the inside dimensions of the window opening and write them down (height and width).
- For width, measure across the top, middle, and lower third of the window opening from one side of the opening to the other and use the shortest measurement (Figures 2 and 3).
- For height, measure from the top inside edge of the window to the sill; take three measurements and use the longest (Figure 4). Add at least 2 inches for height measurements (some manufacturers recommend starting 3 inches above the top of the trim and extending 2 inches below the bottom of the trim or to the sill if you have a protruding sill). If needed, use a ladder or step stool to reach the top of the window.
- For outside mounts, add at least 1 inch per side to the width measurement (some manufacturers recommend 2.5 inches);.
- If you are hoping mount the blinds inside the window opening, also measure the depth of the window opening from the glass to the wall, taking into account any latches or handles, then look at the depth specifications for the product you hope to install to ensure there will be enough room for an inside mount. If not, you’ll need to do an outside mount.
Measure every window you intend to purchase blinds for. While windows may appear to be identical in size, variations of more than 1/8-inch can affect the look and fit of the final product. When ordering, give the exact measurements with no deductions. Cellular blinds can be ordered from numerous hardware and housewares stores as well as online. Some large hardware stores have store brands in stock and in-store services to cut the blinds to the proper width while you wait. Cellular blinds come in various colors and options like light-filtering or light-blocking (with an inner foil layer). They also come in styles that use a cord to raise and lower the blind, or styles that pull-down/push-up from the bottom only and those that can pull-down/push up from the bottom and top. These style variations don’t impact the installation recommendations here.
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3. Account for parts.
When the blinds arrive, account for all of the parts (Figure 5). The package should contain the blinds assembly, mounting brackets, mounting screws, and mounting hardware for the pull cord (if the blinds use a pull cord). The blinds assembly includes a metal headrail, the shading material, a bottom rail, and a pull chord. Do a quick check that inside-mount blinds will fit by holding the blinds assembly in the window opening at the depth where it will be installed and lifting and lowering the assembly the full length of the space to make sure it doesn’t get stuck anywhere. If it does, you may need to return it to the store for adjustment.
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4. Mark mounting bracket locations.
- Use the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the spacing of the mounting brackets widthwise along the headrail of the blinds assembly.
- hen measure and mark these locations at the top of the window well. Be sure to account for a small gap between the blinds and the side of the window well.
- Make two marks for each mounting bracket location: one close to the window, and one closer to the room.
- Use a straight edge to draw a light pencil line between the two marks. The light pencil line will be perpendicular to the window (Figure 6). You will erase this later.
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5. Pre-arrange blinds assembly.
- Set the blinds on the windowsill. Place them at exactly the depth on the window sill where you would like the blinds to land when lowered. Be sure the blinds are parallel with the outside of the sill (Figure 7).
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- Ensure there is enough space between the blinds and the window to allow free movement up and down the length of the window without hitting any window latching hardware or handles (Figure 8). Ensure there is enough space on the room side of the blinds to attach the pull-chord hardware or other hardware that comes with the blinds.
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6. Mark pilot hole locations for mounting screws.
- Temporarily place a mounting bracket near one end of the headrail (Figure 9).
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- Measure from a screw hole in the mounting bracket to the outside of the window well (Figure 10). Record this measurement. Do the same on the other side of the window. The measurements should be the same.
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- Transfer these measurements to the top of the window well, at the mounting bracket locations (Figure 11). Mark the measurement directly on each light pencil line created in Step 3. Circle that mark. This is where you will pre-drill for the mounting screws. At this point, you will only have one pre-drilling location marked for each mounting bracket.
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7. Drill pilot holes.
- Using the correct size drill bit per manufacturer’s instructions, drill holes at each mark made in the previous step (Figure 12).
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- Hold the mounting bracket where it will go, lining up the hole in the mounting bracket with the pre-drilled hole. With the bracket aligned exactly where it should go, mark the outline of the other screw hole(s) in the mounting bracket (Figure 13). Alternate: instead of holding the bracket by hand, install the first screw in the pre-drilled hole to hold the bracket in place, then mark the other hole.
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- Pre-drill a hole in the center of the other screw hole outline. After pre-drilling all the holes, you can erase all the pencil marks.
8. Check that top of window well is level.
Check the top of the window well to make sure it is level (Figure 14). Use the longest level that will fit inside the window well. A level that is too long can also be used by carefully lining up the level with the window well by sight.
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In this example the top of the window opening is level, as shown by the level bubbles in Step 7. However, if the top of the window opening is not level, you will need to use shims to ensure the mounting brackets are installed level to one another. Shims are small spacers placed between the bracket and the mounting surface to lower the level of the bracket. The bracket located at the lowest part of the window well will not need a shim. The other brackets will use shims to make them level with the un-shimmed bracket. You can estimate how thick your shims will need to be by holding the level against the top of the window well and then tilting the high side of the level downward until the bubble shows level. The gap between the edge of the level and the mounting surface indicates how thick the shim should be. Wooden shims can be purchased and are wedge-shaped so you can use exactly the thickness you need. Cut out a section of the right thickness and slightly larger in area than the mounting area of the bracket (Figure 15).
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9. Install mounting brackets and blinds.
- Install each mounting bracket with the screws provided by the manufacturer. Use a screwdriver, socket wrench, or impact driver, as needed (Figure 16).
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- Attach the blind assembly to the mounting brackets per the manufacturer’s instructions. In this example, the headrail simply snaps into the brackets with mild pressure (Figure 17).
- Install pull-chord hardware or other hardware per manufacturer’s instructions.
