How to Install Mainstays 1 Inch Vinyl Mini Blind

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Rather than spending big bucks to get someone to install your blinds for you, why not do it yourself? The process isn't as difficult as it might sound. To install blinds, measure the dimensions for an inside or outside mount and purchase blinds specific to those measurements; attach the brackets using a drill, place the head rail into the brackets, attach the valence to the head rail, and secure the blind wand to complete the process.

1
Measure your windows. You need to do this to make sure that you buy the correct size of blind.^[1] Use a measuring tape to determine the size of the window. You can either mount your blinds on the inside or on the outside of the casing. If you hang your blinds on the outside, your window (and the blinds) will look larger. Hanging the blinds on the inside gives your window a slimmer look. Inside mounts also allow more light to shine around the edges of the blinds.^[2]
- Measuring for an outside mount: Measure along the outside edges of the casing that surrounds the window. Measure the exact length from the top of the casing to the bottom of the casing (or to the sill if your window has one).
- Measuring for an inside mount: Put your measuring tape inside the casing where the glass of the window meets the casing. Measure the width of the window at the top, middle and bottom. If there is any difference in the numbers, use the smallest figure to base your measurements off of.
2
Purchase your blinds according the measurements you made. There are many different kinds of blinds to choose from--vinyl, PV, aluminum, wood--and the choice you make will have to be based on personal preference.^[3]
- If you plan on putting aluminum blinds in a nursery or your child's room, make sure that the blinds you choose are painted with certified lead-free paint.
- White blinds can give your space a nice, clean look.^[4]
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3
Make your mounting marks. Unpack your blinds and make sure all of the parts are there. If there are instructions that come with your blinds, follow them along with the steps listed here. You will need to make some pencil marks so that you know where to place your brackets.^[5]
- For an outside mount: Hold the blind up so that the head rail (the top part of the blind) is centered and leveled with your window's casing (the two vertical slats that form the 'frame' of the window). Make a pencil mark right below the head rail on each side of the casing. You should also make a mark ¼ of an inch past the end of each head rail.
- For an inside mount: Place the head rail inside the casing. It should be level--keep your handrail level, even if your window is not. Make pencil marks below the head rail on each end.
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1
Open the bracket door and hold the end brackets in place. Place them inside the pencil marks you have made. There are two open sides to the bracket--one of them should face out towards you, while the other should face in towards the center of the window. The bracket door must face towards the inside of the room.
- If your bracket door is tricky to use, consider trying to open it with one of your fingers and a screwdriver.
2
Mark where you will be drilling. Using your pencil, mark the spots where you will need to drill your pilot holes (there should be two of them). You should choose two diagonal holes to drill into so that your brackets are sturdier. Take the brackets away and hold up a level to the two holes are even.^[6]
- For an outside mount: The brackets should be placed on the outside face of the window casing on both sides of the window.
- For an inside mount: The brackets should be placed up against the inside top corner of each side of the window.
3
Drill the holes for the screws. Each bracket comes with two screws. If you are drilling into wood, use a 1/16-inch diameter drill bit to make a hole that is slightly smaller than the screw that you will use to secure your bracket. Replace the bracket and drill your screws into place.^[7]
- If you are drilling into drywall, plaster, concrete, tile, stone, or brick, use appropriate screws, anchors, or plugs and follow the specific instructions that come with them.
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1
Snap the valance clips in place. Valance clips are used to attach the head rail to the valance. The valance is what covers the head rail and makes it look a bit more decorative. The valance clips should be snapped over the front lip of the head rail before the head rail is inserted into the bracket.^[8]
- Your blinds may be made up of 'ladders' of blinds. If this is the case, snap each valance clip into place next to the top of each ladder--not directly on top of it. If they are put directly over each ladder, the valance clips might get caught in the cords of the blinds.
2

Place the head rail into the brackets. Once you have finished drilling the brackets into place, make sure the bracket doors are wide open and then insert the head rail into the brackets. When you have situated the head rail, snap the bracket doors closed. You should hear an audible snapping noise.
3

Attach the valance. Place the valance along the head rail in the position you would like it to be in. Rest it on top of the valance clips. When you have positioned it the way you would like it be, press gently down so that the valance clips snap into the valance, holding it in place.^[9]
4

Secure the blind wand. If your blinds came with a wand for opening and closing them, and it did not come pre-attached, attach it now. Push the plastic sleeve of the hook up, insert the wand's end into the hook, and then slide the plastic covering back down.

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Question

Should bedrooms have drapes or blinds?

Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections and builder/architect/client relationships

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Take a look at the size of your windows first. If your bedroom has really big, sprawling windows, you might be better off choosing going with drapes.
Question

Which type of blinds are best?

Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections and builder/architect/client relationships

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Faux blinds are great! They're about 2 in (5.08 cm) thick and are a lot more stylish-looking than aluminum blinds.
Question

Can I hand screw in the brackets? I have no drill.

It depends on what the wall is made of. If it is wood, it will be very difficult.
Question

How do I go about installing center support bracket?

Center support brackets can be a challenge to install. However, the method I found most success with is to apply a thin layer of gorilla glue to the backboard. Then you attach the center support bracket to the glue.
Question

How do I install regular, cheap pull-down blinds?

Place the end brackets onto the blinds. Hold the blinds up to the window top where you want them to hang; mark the window top at the edges of the brackets with a pencil. Remove the two brackets from the blinds. Holding each bracket on the pencil lines, place a dot inside the bracket holes: this is where you will drill holes for the screws that hold the brackets. Drill (or nail) the holes where you marked. Attach each bracket with screws, and open the brackets. Slide in the blind and close each bracket. The pull-down string should be on the right, the slot turn rod on the left.
Question

How do I install top-mounted mini blinds?

Is it going inside of a soffit? Anyway, usually there is a track, and it snaps into the brackets. Install the brackets and use a central point for all brackets. (3brackets per 6'+ of track) let's say your first bracket will be 2 inches away from the window, install your next two brackets 2 inches away from the window. Hold the track with both hands put the back side in first and then clip the front end. I find securing the right side first and then the left side next is the easiest way. Then just clip in the vertical vanes and you are good to go.

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Always read the instructions provided with your blinds.
Get someone to help you hold the blinds up. If you have never operated a drill, get someone who knows how to use it to help you.

Things You'll Need

Blinds (with brackets, head rail, valance, valance clips)
Tape Measure
Level
Pencil
Drill
Screws

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Article SummaryX

To install blinds, start by making marks on the wall where you want to hang the blinds, either inside the window frame or on the wall above it, depending on your preference. Next, open the door on the each mounting bracket and line it up with the mark you made. Then, attach the brackets by drilling screws through the holes on the back of the bracket. Once the brackets are attached, snap the valance clips onto the head rail of the blinds before placing the rail into the brackets. Finally, close the bracket doors and attach the valance to the head rail. For tips on how to measure your windows before ordering blinds, read on!

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How to Install Mainstays 1 Inch Vinyl Mini Blind

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Blinds

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How to Install Mainstays 1 Inch Vinyl Mini Blind

Things You'll Need

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