How To Cut and Resize Roller Shades. It's EASY! Why buy custom shades?

You can cut, trim, and resize roller shades. It's so EASY! Whether you want to save money over custom blinds by cutting off-the-shelf roller blinds yourself, or resize shades you have, I'll show you how to do it step-by-step. You can use this technique with vinyl and fabric blinds, light filtering, or blackout.
Points in the video:
00:00 Intro
0:40 Tools you'll need and preparation
1:11 Project Options
1:24 Disassembling a shade
1:50 Measuring and cutting the shade material
3:36 Measuring and cutting the cardboard tube
4:00 Attaching the shade to the tube
4:37 Cutting / Resizing the wood pull and
4:53 Adding a string (for skylight installation)
5:29 Installation and testing
6:12 Before and after
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[@lynerwi7863]

This is the best demonstration I have run across, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now I can tackle this job with confidence.

[@BruceAlanR]

You’re very welcome. Glad it was helpful!

[@user-km4gb2uh5b]

THANK YOU!!! You saved me some bucks in my electric bill. You are a master instructor and simple to follow your lead.

[@BruceAlanR]

Happy to have been a help! 😃👍

[@walkernorvell7570]

This was extremely informative and helpful in my project! I bought a clearance Levolor roller shade for super cheap and nobody at Lowe’s knew how to trim it. It was marked down about 80 percent and I couldn’t pass up the deal. Thanks to your video I can trim it at home!

[@BruceAlanR]

Glad the video was helpful. I’ve trimmed down a lot of these and it’s just so easy!

[@mselisa1]

I have done the exact thing. I bought 5 shades (luckily and on sale at 80% off). The one shade that I have to fit on the interior has to have an exact cut. I have been to have it cut 3 times. The first time they cut it the width too narrowly (I got it to fit on a window exteriorly). The second visit was to a Lowes many more miles away (they would possibly have cut it correctly but the machine was not working). The last time: The cut was NOT MADE AT ALL; apparently the guy put the rod on the wrong end for cutting. I am going to try one more time and then I will use this video to cut it myself!

[@HxC_Fragman]

Fricking champion. Doing this today. I've been on the crazy phase of learning and doing everything for myself finally. I save money and feel so much better accomplishing it. Have an awesome fricking day bro. Thanks

[@BruceAlanR]

Glad the video was helpful! I always enjoy DIYing and building/taking things apart. It’s cool to see how things work. If I break something, I’m no better or worse off (…unless it’s a safety issue like electrical work or plumbing, in which case you need to know your limitations). 💦⚡️😃👍

[@clinton7360]

2 years later and your video just saved me from an embarrassing error.

[@BruceAlanR]

Ha! Glad it was helpful.

[@amber02228]

This was fantastic!! Thank you so much 🙌🏼

[@BruceAlanR]

Very welcome! Glad the video was helpful.

[@slb2904]

So glad I watched this. Duh! Never thought of reusing old shades roller.

[@BruceAlanR]

Glad it was helpful. I try to repurpose as much as possible. 😃

[@jeffriggs5174]

Wonderful video learned what I needed to know,thanks!!!

[@BruceAlanR]

Very welcome! 👍

[@fireballfitness170]

I Appreciate the time stamps in the description below the video. And thanks for the video it was a big help.

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks for the feedback. I often wonder if anyone uses the time stamps.

[@dlon8899]

Thankyou, saving me ££s here in London. Happy, safer, peaceful New year

[@BruceAlanR]

Thank you and same to you. I’m glad the video was helpful! Cheers to a better 2021!

[@keithwolf4466]

One of the most well done instructional videos I've seen, great job

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks so much for the kind words. 😃👍

[@purple4d]

Thank you, that was very helpful.

[@BruceAlanR]

You're welcome! 😃👍

[@bantcliff]

Always ensure the your cutting with the straight edge over the good side [if you slip you'll get a 2nd chance to tidy it up] Don't bother cutting the drop, it's a roller blind excess fabric on the tube is fine [and actually of benefit so you can 'repocket' it later if the bottom gets grubby]

[@BruceAlanR]

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing that info.

[@LeslyL7]

Thanks, greatly appreciated.

[@BruceAlanR]

Very welcome! 😃👍

[@CRcoolMom]

Impressive!

[@BruceAlanR]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marysvoice8372]

Brilliant video, thankyou, new sub🥰

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks for the kind words and for subbing. 😁👍

[@CyndiLH]

I've never seen blinds installed between the glass panes as you have done. Interesting :) Nice video!

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks! 👍 When installed between the panes, less light gets in.

[@elizabethsalas6783]

Thank you 🙏

[@BruceAlanR]

Very welcome! 👍

[@Pat206]

Thank you.

[@BruceAlanR]

You're welcome! 😃

[@novas4390]

Just what I needed! I'm trying to replace an existing roller blind but can't find something that fits my window. The store stuff says "cut to fit" but none of the directions actually tell you HOW to "cut to fit." Thanks for your clear and concise directions. Now to replace that ugly roller shade .....

[@BruceAlanR]

Glad the video was helpful! At my local Home Depot, they have a cutting machine setup to cut the roller shades marked "cut to fit." The problem I had when I did that was that no-one ever changed the blade on the machine. The blade was so dull that the shades, which I had already paid for, came out shredded along the edges. They looked awful.

[@Oakheart]

Thanks

[@BruceAlanR]

Welcome

[@rmano82]

Great video. My spring side end's square pin broke, I definitely don't want to replace the whole thing. You think I can replace the rod, or just that broken side end?

[@BruceAlanR]

It may be difficult to find the square pin with spring part, but if you have another shade and tube that can be repurposed, you can cut the cardboard tube and move the shade onto it with a few staples. If you don’t have another shade to repurpose, buy an inexpensive one and use the tube and hardware.

[@rmano82]

@@BruceAlanR Thank you very much. I will end up buying a new tube. This is very helpful

[@anarchyuk3922]

Have a sub, great video

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks for the kind words and for subbing!

[@JV-hu6df]

Sir, your vid is fantastic. Love the tips and tricks. Great thoughts and demonstration of cutting techniques and light effects. It's just an idea, but video would be great for hearing impaired with a few subtitles.

[@BruceAlanR]

Great idea! Thank you!

[@leighhills1]

>Settings button on top right of the video >Captions

[@BruceAlanR]

@@leighhills1 Thanks for pointing that out!

[@monav4062]

Where did you buy the BLACKOUT roller blind with the left spring stop/start mechanism being made of *METAL* ????? All that I can find in the black-out roller blinds are ones that have a cheap PLASTIC stop/start mechanism on the left side. I'm looking for black-out roller blinds with the old-school STOP/START METAL mechanism on the left side. The new ones are made of cheap plastic and end up breaking over time. The old metal spring stop/start roller black-out roller blinds were the best. If you know where I can buy these old-school *METAL* spring stop/start mechanisms on the left side of the black-out roller blinds I would so appreciate it!!! Thank you in advance for your reply.

[@BruceAlanR]

Unfortunately the blackout roller shades were in the house when we bought it. Like most things in out house, they were most likely 20-30 years old. They just don’t make things like they used to.

[@stephenpoindexter3978]

Can I do a similar trim with a roller blind that has an electric motor? I bought it from Select Blinds and didn't realize that the top of my window is a 1/2 inch narrower than the bottom.

[@BruceAlanR]

That’s a great question. Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer for you. I’d sure like to give it a shot though.

[@Spiritgumm]

I used a hand saw to cut down a rolled-up vinyl shade, but it came out abit ratty, so I looked for a video on using a miter saw but apparently that will melt the vinyl edge. The method here is the most difficult, which I've done before except I left the vinyl stapled to the core, which saves you a step. Some stores have a device to cut it, but generally prefer that you bought the blind there.

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks for sharing that info. Yes, miter saw can melt vinyl shades. My local Home Depot has a machine with a blade on it but they don’t maintain it. I purchased some inexpensive vinyl blackout shades there and they cut them to size for me. I went to put them up and the cut edge looked like it had been cut with a spoon. It was terrible. Thanks again!

[@favoritechrisitanmusic4902]

Thank you, but where can I get just the spring mechanism side to the roller shade? I need to replace mine.

[@BruceAlanR]

It will be hard to find just the spring mechanism. Two options are to repurpose the spring from another shade (hopefully the tube is the same diameter), or buy an inexpensive shade at Home Depot or Lowe's and use the tube and hardware. You may also want to look on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for a used shade and repurpose the tube and hardware.

[@markgang1861]

@@BruceAlanR I would like to add some additional options for repurposing or seeking cheap or free shades. Shop your local second hand store for shades or post a note in your breakroom at work that you are looking to repurpose shades. A fellow coworker may have a shade or two you could repurpose or use for parts at no cost to you.

[@SandyGaliano]

I had the same question because we have a Velux shade that is broken and they want over 300euros to replace it. Since I’m renting trying to find a more reasonable option.

[@anotherhomunculus]

I just measured once at the bottom and cut the first inch or so up and tore the rest of the way up. I had a perfectly straight line. I didn’t even lay it out. I did it from a standing position. This is the way they were designed to be resized as far as I understand it.

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks for sharing that. I prefer to use a straight edge since you only get one shot at it.

[@coffinsupply486]

so much work for so little. thanks for video none the less

[@BruceAlanR]

It’s definitely a fair amount of work. The quality of the old shades was so much better than the cheap replacements available at the local big box store so it seemed like a better option for me. Less materials for the local land fill too. 😃

[@proudbirther1998]

Did you make those custom screens for your skylight?? If so do you have a tutorial?

[@BruceAlanR]

The screens aren’t custom. They’re probably 20 years old and were installed when we got the house. I the windows are by Andersen so the screens likely came with them.

[@proudbirther1998]

@@BruceAlanR Thank you Bruce for answering my question.

[@themotherspassport4458]

I want to know how to make two roller shades on one long cardboard roll so that way I can hearts one roller shade for my large window versus two with a gap in the middle

[@BruceAlanR]

Great idea!

[@yashindian4233]

Can we extend the size of the roller ???

[@BruceAlanR]

If you have the shade material the only way to do that is to attach two cardboard tubes together and support them in the middle with a dowel or get longer tubes and cut them down.

[@luc1ferblack]

If doing this on a angled roof window like the one shown leave the wood longer and it will run on the frame

[@BruceAlanR]

Good advice! Thanks for sharing that.

[@rodadams8422]

Excellent please come and do mine 😀

[@BruceAlanR]

Ha! Glad it was helpful.

[@KARAEATS]

How do I cut the metal without tool

[@BruceAlanR]

You shouldn’t be cutting the metal. Sounds like you’re cutting the wrong side. Remove the cap from the side that doesn’t have the spring and cut the cardboard tube. Then replace the cap.

[@harrylo2316]

Use a steak knife and start sawing back and forth. It'll take a while but friction will eventually wear the aluminium tube down.

[@kerry1979]

But how would you extend a shade? they Cut it too short & cost me $70.

[@BruceAlanR]

Unfortunately there’s no undo feature if a shade is cut too short. Sorry!

[@johnettadenisekemp480]

Why did you just roll it back up and cut one end with a sharp blade

[@BruceAlanR]

Many things can go wrong with simply rolling up the shade and cutting it… and there’s no undo button. For example, if the shade isn’t rolled up perfectly or the blade doesn’t make a clean cut, the shade will not be symmetrical. I’ve also unsuccessfully tried rolling up a shade and hacking off one end with a miter saw using a fine finishing blade. A fast spinning blade will shred the shade material or even melt it (in the case of vinyl).

[@flippy66]

2:15 - no need to make any marks in the middle, you have no way of gauging whether you're holding the measure perpendicular to the edge of the blind or not. Simply make a mark at each end and line the straight edge up with those. There is no need for any marks in between. Any two points will create a straight line (provided your straight edge is, well, straight).

[@BruceAlanR]

True! And a good idea if both edges of the blind are slightly frayed. Thanks for sharing that.

[@jenniferlivinlaughinlovin3205]

OP: Resize your blinds....ITS EASY! also OP: Heres a list of tools you need- *proceeds to list 100 items and tools you need. Me: uhhhh nope! 😆😆😆😆😆

[@BruceAlanR]

Ha! Sorry about that. I tried to keep it simple and use tools I figured most folks would have.

[@astrogirl698]

This is great but my pole is metal crappy quality I could bend it over my knee with a lil force.

[@BruceAlanR]

Interesting. Most of the time the tubes are hallow cardboard and only the ends are metal and/or plastic.

[@joereale3652]

Put straight edge on the good side and cut on waste side ...

[@BruceAlanR]

Great idea!

[@glitch1037]

Why does this guy sound like Mark Cuban…

[@BruceAlanR]

Ha! Does Mark Cuban even have a KZbin channel? 😃

[@tonymacho4489]

Are you kidding me!You must be from Missouri. Just keep the shade rolled up and trim it with a circular saw. Then remove the roller spring mechanism and insert in the freshly cut end. That's how they do it at Lowes and Home Depot.

[@BruceAlanR]

I don’t recommend that. A circ saw and even a recip saw will melt a vinyl shade. Last time I bought a vinyl blackout shade at Home Depot and used their cutting blade, the blade was so dull that when I got it home, I noticed the edges were completely ragged and wavy. Because it was a custom cut shade HD wouldn’t allow me to return it.

[@diehardfan173]

32 seconds, lol

[@BruceAlanR]

It’s amazing how funny commercial’s can throw me. 😂

[@andrewtaylor747]

Too much faffing, just use cutting disc in grinder and slice through complete blind when measured to length and roll blind up tightly

[@BruceAlanR]

Ha! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I try to provide methods that incorporate tools that most folks have around the house. Additionally, grinders and saws (Sawzall, miter, circular, table), of which I have many, will of course cut a shade quickly; however, they can also melt and burn some shade materials, which is why I wouldn’t recommend it.

[@proudbirther1998]

I liked your video.And your comment was true...many if us dont have chopsaw so your options are terrific

[@avavictoria863]

Where is your face?

[@BruceAlanR]

I get that question often. I usually don’t show my face on the channel. I’ve found it doesn’t add much value. Also saves me time since I don’t have to comb my hair. 😁

[@slapshot197]

You could not have made a simple procedure any harder if you tried. Pull out the pin, cut on a chop saw, reinsert pin and you are done.

[@BruceAlanR]

I see where you’re coming from. Unfortunately, it’s not a one size fits all when it comes to resizing shades. If you use a demo blade on your chop saw, the edges of the shade may get frayed. Also some vinyl and cellulose shade materials will melt from the friction of the blade... I’ve done it.

[@chocolate_squiggle]

Geeze, not everyone has a bloody drop saw. Get a grip man, he clearly aimed this demo at people who don't already have the skills, knowledge or expensive power tools to learn simple DIY tasks they could try at home. In my case I want to install a blind on a very small window at my mothers house and the smallest blinds I can buy (60cm) are still 50% too large - so I wanted to know how easy it would be to modify myself. This video demonstrated perfectly how blinds are constructed (without me having to buy one first and rip it apart to see) and then what methods and tools I can use. It's an immensely helpful video, you're clearly sad about something in life or just one of those people who can't understand other people don't always have the same skills experience and knowledge in life as yourself. We all have to start somewhere bro. Why don't you go use your power saw on a shoelace or something!

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks for that! Glad the video was helpful.