How to Fit Roller Blinds

[@kitten6062]

Blinds sitting in box for last 5 YEARS waiting for my husband to fit them, just did them myself, with your help!! Not the best job but 2nd one better than first. Thanks so much 😅

[@megand175]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@radele123]

I can’t tell you how helpful this video was for the blind I just put up. The sheer amount of fuck ups id have made following the pictorial instructions is unbelievable, particularly the measuring element. Thank you.

[@bantcliff]

one of the better guides out there, there are some trash roller fitting guides out there. If you're trimming the blind 'on site' then you can as easily fit the brackets then cut the tube to suit and finally trim the fabric to suit the tube. I fit made to measure blinds but occasionally fit readymade rollers for friends and family. As for the child safety 'p' clip, leave some slack so it runs through easier and you can pull it away so you don't 'scrape' your knuckles, the idea is to leave it loose enough to make it easy to use but not enough for a child to get there head through. But the best advice is to buy a made to measure blind, everything about them is of much higher quality than ready made blinds, better brackets, thicker tube, stronger, smoother clutch set. higher standard of finish.

[@The_man_himself_67]

Why am I watching this? I don't have roller blinds. I don't want one either. What am I doing?

[@jangles8061]

😂❤

[@madgiemadgie9128]

😂😂😂

[@jamsheelaulleerithodi3608]

Hahah

[@johnllewlyndavies222]

😂You're looking for a new hobby.

[@gemini4491]

Because there isn’t any interesting drama for you to watch on Netflix 😃

[@jaymahoney69]

Great measuring and cutting tips. It seemed so obvious but I'd never thought of doing it that way before. Thank you!

[@neilingram3973]

On the blinds I’ve fitted over the years I’ve never been happy with the finish on the cut edge of the material - although I didn’t do it with a Stanley knife but scissors…..one lesson learnt there from your video. However, on my last blind I thought I’d give it a go at ordering a made to measure one off the internet. Was probably a little more expensive but not by much. It was a perfect fit and quicker to install, and no faffing about cutting material and roller. I’ve just ordered another one I was so impressed. Great video.

[@funnyviralespn5878]

You’ve done it sooo smooth! Made it look easier than it is😅😂😂

[@mrwood4557]

Voice made for audiobooks.

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Good shout 👍

[@glynprice3815]

How about some Pratchett? Or HHGTTG

[@MikeSmith-sg9pt]

@@glynprice3815 was just coming to suggest Pratchett too. I think in my head CMOTD sounds like this

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

@@MikeSmith-sg9pt or Sgt Colon

[@ceilidhdocherty1498]

Just wanted to say a huge thank you ,I managed to sort my blind out because of this video ,now I'm following you ,thanks again 👍🏻

[@CarpyCam94]

Those are the exact same blinds I used to fit insides caravans a fair few years back! Honestly so easy to fix to anything well done

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@tuesboomer1623]

Very nice blind. Easy installation. Glad to see they have been refined and updated so I can finally address our entirely too sunny kitchen sink window and a few others in the house where the max. width of shades available for our budget at the time were a bit too short.

[@ProperDIY]

Go for it

[@jamsheelaulleerithodi3608]

Yeah it must be easy for you

[@MS-yy2dh]

Best to measure the window aperture in several places as the width can vary quite a lot, especially if you live in an older house. Consider window fittings like opening trickle vents and whether you need to allow space for these (the blind can drop on either side of the metal tube - which can be steel and nasty to cut). Also, it can be worth considering made to measure blinds as they are not that expensive, have neat edges, and are quick to fit.

[@bantcliff]

Not normally an issue with roller blinds as the fabric is generally around 30mm less than the recess, don't even usually need to make an allowance for partial tiling in kitchens and bathrooms for standard 1/4" tiles (only the increasingly popular thicker tiles can be an issue)

[@MS-yy2dh]

@@bantcliff That's certainly not my experience and I fitted a lot of roller blinds. Granted, my window apertures tend to vary quite a bit in width but that is not uncommon in an older property. If I took just one width measurement, then, depending on where I took it, I run the risk of having a large gap (clearly subjective but I would have thought the point of the blind is to fill the space as much as possible) or the blind binding in the recess. By taking several measurements it is possible to find a neat compromise.

[@bantcliff]

For 'Blind sized' products its an issue, venetians, Romans etc. Any roller based product only needs the fixing point measuring (unless you can clearly see a huge out of square edge) I been fitting blinds for over 25 years so learnt where and what to measure depending on thebl8nd type.

[@MS-yy2dh]

@@bantcliff We are clearly going around in circles, so this will be my last comment. If the window recess is out of square, as they often are in old houses, then I would strongly advise measuring at three places, top, middle, and bottom (last particularly important where there are tiles only at the bottom), before cutting the tube and then trimming the material to fit. I have fitted enough blinds to know. Also, a quick Google on the subject gives this same advice: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5ibhIyQo6Z9gJo

[@farharyana4148]

really good video, very nicely explained. thank you

[@moose6676]

Thanks 👍🏻 well explained, guess what I’m doing today 👍🏻

[@peter.russell]

Great video with very helpful tips. Thank you

[@krisgair5863]

When doing this, I always wish i had some really thin windows for the offcuts, I hate waste, top video yet again Stuart 😉

[@ProperDIY]

That did cross my mind actually with the 380mm I tool off. Unfortunately, I have nothing that thin either!

[@peter.g6618]

Hi. Great job. Got me thinking now about these blinds for my own home. Thay look good. Some great tips to. Thanks for sharing. Cheers! 👍👌

[@ProperDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sc3421]

i know this is late, but this is a great watch for anyone fitting blinds, but how on earth do you deal with lintels and not end up with drill hole's the size of a 10 p piece - !

[@bhoywonder8892]

Fucking nightmare. Eating any metal drill bit i buy

[@barrygilbert3649]

The bit you left out was, which type of fixing used to secure the holding bracket to underside of window. I assume it is hollow wall plasterboard and there are various types of fixings suitable for this, depending on the weight of the blinds. In your case the blinds look quite light so ordinary rawlplug might work but in heavier blinds you might have needed a molly bolt or spring toggle bolt.

[@BenJandrell]

Great video... I wish the manufacturers could have spent a few pence more to retain the metal end brackets as was the way 10 years ago for a better firmer fitting. Keep up the good work!

[@99037149]

Yeah I am 100% confident I would make an arse of doing that.....

[@EMEL-hr4ut]

Like the spacer idea for setting brackets and covering of wall but why not also window ?

[@garycat]

I always seem to hit the concrete lintel when drilling the underside of the window opening... then the drill slides everywhere and makes a huge hole in the plasterboard

[@granvillew12]

Yup, I was looking forward to a good tip for drilling through the lintel. Last time I put up blinds I drilled into the side walls of the recess rather than try to get trough the steel lintels.

[@jameslewis4327]

I literally just asked about this. I used proper metal cutting drill bits to fit shutter blinds was a nightmare when one snapped in there. He seemed to have no troubles. I would of been a sweaty mess, 2 hours in with gaping holes everywhere

[@granvillew12]

@@jameslewis4327 yeah, the problem with the steel bits is they blunt the first bit of grit they hit. Generally a masonry bit with a carbide tip works best with the hammer action turned off. If you ever get a really hard bit of steel you cant drill though with a steel bit use a carbide masonry bit. It will go though but it is a real pain.

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Yes, exactly for that reason fitting roller blinds is never as easy as shown in the video. Plus, I bought a Dunelm blind 4 weeks sgo and I still don't see how the chain side works. It just locks up. A right PITA.

[@aficio698]

Be aware some new properties run plastic radiator pipes up the side of windows, behind the plasterboard. Face fixing potentially can drill into these pipes.

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks stuart, now thats something i really need in my bedroom, my neighbour has a bright security light that shines in my room which keeps me awake…..take care

[@matthewsaunby9056]

Great video, I’ve fitted these exact blinds before too. I always adjust mine so that the little plastic connector on the pull cord is hard up against the top, that way you can never accidentally keep pulling on the cord, causing the blind to just roll over and over at the top. I also usually reverse the blind so that it drops on the back side of the roller, making it even closer to the window.

[@2icelollys1goat]

Superb video. Your delivery and editing is perfect

[@tonycat721]

Stuart, i never managed to drill properly either there is a concert girder or plaster that just crumbles every where, your suggestion for outside the window sounds better option, would i need to get some L brackets ?.

[@joannaburn9514]

This will be my first DIY job unsupervised. Have been involved in putting them up with someone else but not drilled holes before. I am determined to become independent at this! Cutting to size is the easy bit, it's drilling the holes that will be the challenge. However, you have give some helpful tips so here goes!

[@mirandafriday4023]

Excellent video. Nice job 😊

[@andrewedwards7827]

What sort of lintel did you have above the window? I have had problems fitting blinds when I have steel lintels

[@ice4142]

I have similar. Metal insulated lintel. Any tips?

[@briancowley1954]

If the top of the blind is central but the bottom of the blind hangs, say, too far left you can add washers or some cardboard to bring the left hand support down a tad.

[@sharpsconsultancy2342]

Total perfection - love it

[@marykidu8310]

Thanks for the tips

[@alexferguson9283]

Hi Stuart. Did you have to subtract anything from the 142 to account for the thickness of the brackets? Always find your videos very informative, thanks for posting. 👍🏻

[@ProperDIY]

No. The new blind was exactly 1.8m from outside edge of bracket to outside edge of bracket so just 1.8m - the new width

[@alexferguson9283]

I’m confused. 1.8m was the original length, yes? The outside of the bracket is the part that buts up against the reveal. The distance between reveals was 142. What was the distance between the inside surfaces of the brackets?

[@justinnewton9679]

Any reverse rolled roller blind will always track off

[@philgornall]

@@alexferguson9283 he is saying that on this blind the total width of the blind itself plus the brackets was 1.8m. So the physical width of the actual blind only was probably something like 177mm

[@alexferguson9283]

@Phil Gornall. Thank you for the explanation. I thought that the width was 1.8m plus the brackets.

[@allanjw1960]

Thanks for that mate.

[@Andy-wx4wx]

Nice video, many thanks.....

[@andalan321]

Good but you didn't show the anchors being used. That's the hard part.

[@robinaakther6524]

Thanks hun 👍🏽

[@aaronsdunk]

One question I have is with the drilling of the hole, is it OK to have the holes on an angle?

[@DiHandley]

And here’s me thinking “pfft, I know all there is about fitting blinds”. 😂😂

[@richzulewski7185]

In the US, every home center or DIY store will trim the blinds for free as you buy them. Thy have specialized machines that do it in a few moments. Of course you need to bring accurate measurements.

[@ProperDIY]

I've not seen that before

[@outoftheburrough]

Stu thank you thank you thank you for mentioning the child safety clip and it's importance, so many people just take it off & don't realise that it is then not compliant and a hazard (& it doesn't matter if you don't have kids in your home or visiting you could sell the property to someone who does). Obviously you don't need it fully blackout in the utility there but if people want it to be more blackout having it roll down the back will help and mounting outside the recess with a reasonable overlap will also help

[@lukestevenson1713]

Just as an added bonus I always move the connector for the draw string so that it acts as a stopper when the roller is dropped to the correct length, saves you over rolling and getting the blind hitting and collecting on the sill. Good video, cheers

[@connorw360]

My blind has fallen off the wooden tube lol best way to get it back on?

[@chrisdowning7543]

Oh Stuart Stuart! You make it look soooo easy! Me and my ex wife have spent many a evening back in the day fitting these god dam things. She was the brains cutting and measuring (all fine) . Made dresses and own clothes and so on. God how many times have I drilled in to the UPVC does not work. How many times have I drilled in the upper part and hit concrete RSJ or metal one! Render blown And plucked the hole with match sticks. We have spent many a night back to back in a huff with one another in bed. Thank you for this but I’m telling you now theses things are not the best invention!!😂😂😂

[@ice4142]

I have this exact problem. We installed a metal insulated lintel over the a window. I would like to fit a blind like this and I was planning to fix to the UPVC window. Any tips?

[@SuperLittleTyke]

True. I've even been looking at the no drill blinds, which do not require any drilling.

[@pauli6570]

When you watch a video 24 hours too late ……..😩😩😩😩😩

[@ProperDIY]

Oh sorry

[@gizmo6164]

I genuinely wish I lived very near to you, you would have a new best friend! 😉😁

[@justarandum7959]

The beaded cord can be adjusted in the mechanism at the top prior to fitting to stop the plastic clip part being ran through the safety loop hook at the bottom too.

[@Mobile-pd1uc]

What drill bit and what size screws. Recently got a dewalt drill set but sds bits don't seem long enough.

[@bencartwright1050]

I use my mitre saw leave it rolled up and cut through the fabric and alliminum bars, perfect every time

[@ralphtaylor5328]

Good to see that you used a blind with metal tube. The cheap ones with cardboard tubes tend to deform after a while and then slip. IKEA also do metal tube types. One thought you did not explore was fitting the blind on the window side of the roller - gives better blackout than with blind on inside. Not always possible with all blinds. BTW I also subtracted the excess.

[@Jameso12345]

Worth noting that the option of having the blinds inside the window opening can be problematic if your windows open in the way. We just removed blinds in our new house which were fitted like this because it blocked the windows from opening even when the blinds were fully rolled up.

[@frankblack1481]

Video Idea: While listening to the news today, and the amazingly high energy prices likely to occur this winter in the UK, maybe a video on how to check that your house preeevrs as much heat as possible… and maybe some economical mods that will pay off when the cold snap comes.

[@robcaldwell285]

Top man. Absolutely fantastic. Your attention to detail and awareness of ergonomics is.... chef kiss 👨‍🍳🤌 mmmwah!! I doth my cap, kind sir 🙇‍♂️🙏

[@jamesquinn6614]

Hi Stuart, question - to drill the bracket holes close to the corner did you have to angle the drill slightly (I could not see clearly in the video) ?

[@Tattysnuc]

some great tips in there. The "measure what you take off" is keeper. :)

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@EMEL-hr4ut]

Is it me but no measuring was shown of the blind as a whole as that is what fits in the recess ? You cut the blind cloth to the aperture size and you won't have allowed for the end fittings

[@seagreenspiral]

As a left handed person I keep the pulley string on the right 😁

[@mld8]

Alternative is to buy made to measure blinds, not that much more expensive online 😄

[@ProperDIY]

About double the price to be exact

[@henryewbaker]

Had an absolute nightmare trying to drill into the concrete lintels on a 1940s bungalow, doing a "small" favour for someone, hardest concrete I've ever come across. Bosch combi drill just couldn't cope.

[@fletton_man]

Nicely explained. There are companies that make made-to-measure blinds to order (including aluminium and wooden slatted Venetian blinds). Have always obtained blinds this way to get the perfect fit, especially when fitted in the window recess. Also beware hidden steel lintels immediately above the plasterboard in the recess. These can be difficult to drill through cleanly and it may be worth using a pipe detector to check if one is concealed, and if so where it protrudes to within the recess, before drilling.

[@bobarber6017]

8:44 8:45 8:46 8:46 8:56 😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@leejenkinson5521]

Yes, I agree, sometimes the Lintel will only allow a 5mmx20mm (or 5m x 25mm) rawl plug/screw, etc if drilling into the top of the recess, whereas if you use newer brackets they are multipurpose and will all top or side mounting, so where there is a Lintel you can opt for side mounting. Also worth noting the brackets are made flat on one side and angled on another so when you insert the blind into the back the bracket works under tension now to hold the blind tighter in position.

[@ice4142]

Hi Stuart, how would you advise fixing to a UPVC window? I think I would prefer that to having to drill through the metal lintel above and knowing my luck I would hit the insulation filled cavity.

[@pelvishakerg271]

I always rewatch this video when installing blinds to remember the correct way to do it. 10/10 especially when it comes to measure and cut. Thank you

[@thedjnute]

Do the windows have steel lintel?

[@SuperPauline14]

Been fitting blinds wrong for years after seeing this. Perfect demo and happy I came across your video 😊

[@EMEL-hr4ut]

Did this video help ? Lots of unknowns still for me

[@wyliecyottee10732]

I'm guessing you didn't hit a concrete lintil when fixing the brackets?

[@brianp7022]

I would always rotate the brackets 90 degrees and fix into the wall not the top as more than likely results in drilling into the lintel ! My opinion but measuring is more critical

[@PatrickMcNealPuppets-n-Things]

I missed the broom bit in the intro. It's back! 🙂

[@01arron]

I would love to see you using some L shaped upvc trunking to enclose the sides of the blinds to make it fully blacked out

[@welshrambler1893]

Very clear instructional video Stuart, well done! It's the fixings into the lintel can be problematic! Sometimes I've had to coat the plugs into an adhesive like no nails and let it go off before fixing the screws. Good tip about measuring the waste. Regards Keith

[@ProperDIY]

Good tip

[@twinwankel]

I had a form of these that were spring loaded so you just pull on the bottom to get it to raise and then pull again to stop it. They would break after awhile. I like your pulley system. Must simpler and less likely to break. I recently bought cellular blinds that are cordless and they go up and down by just lifting the bottom bar or pull the top bar down to look skyward. They are also insulating and save a lot of money in heating and air conditioning. Over the course of a couple of years, they will pay for themselves. I've my energy costs drop. Azon has them at a reasonable price roughly $30/window US. You can order them to size so no cutting required. Installation is similar to your roller except the brackets go in the middle of blind. Much easier because you don't have to protect the sides.

[@spookybaba]

Where did you get your roller blind from? I keep getting crap ones where the fabric is stuck to the metal tube, and not slotted in. Sometimes they're not stuck on straight. Money is no issue. I'm paying maybe £35 for an average size one. I really need those easy brackets too.

[@wotviewer]

strongly recommend people watch his other video on how to drill into the lintel as that is the crucial part of hanging blinds when you decide on vertical mount inside the window reveal. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIfFo6JpjJ1koZo His choice to not drill horizontally into the PVC window frame itself is obviously the correct choice where you have PVC, but if your window frames are wood, then just go for screwing into the wood frame as much simpler. He made re-rolling the blind back on to the metal roll after cutting for width look a bit too easy! In my experience very common to get a crooked roll with one side extending beyond the roller, meaning you need to do it all over again.

[@philtebble4390]

Great shout to prevent marking the wall Stuart . Done that a few times 🤔👍

[@santoshmaharaj5002]

Excellent video. Gave me confidence to give it a go. Can you tell me where you bought your t square from?

[@rettred8152]

Very nice video thank you.....only thing I would change is fitting the chain on the right for right handed people

[@WilliamBurnett]

So, not the way I did it, taking my angle grinder to the entire fitting then.... 😆

[@frankcorr6566]

Fitting to a window frame that has not been fitted before is one thing but fitting a new blind to a frame that has all the holes drilled in the wrong place to take the new fittings is another. Often you have to screw into steel beams and for that you need to know a fewthings.

[@finenebula]

8:50 hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I love this guy!!! There are soooooooo many videos with all sorts of idiots who drill one handed to catch bits of dust using a vacuum cleaner in the other hand. I mean in the name of God, why? Just do what this guys does. haha. Love it! :-)

[@jamsheelaulleerithodi3608]

Well I mean it was really helpful however it was the same measurement as you was doing thanks tho!

[@Garvandule]

What is the thing in the top of the blind called, which helps guide it in the groove of the tube?

[@BlockABoots]

Wouldn't you want to cut the aluminium pole a tad bit longer that what you cut the blind fabric otherwise wouldn't the fab foul on the plastic mounting brackets????

[@christianpetersen1782]

The aluminium pole starts off being a little wider than the blind so cutting the same distance of each retains the clearance you mentioned. This is what Stuart meant when he said, measuring the excess to cut off simplifies the measuring procedure.

[@youknow6968]

Hi, I have a steel beam going across just above my window, previously I tried to install blinds but just could not drill a hole. Would you know which drill bit I need to be able to drill a hole into a steel beam, or any other advice, thank you.

[@3stacks66]

My window recess seems to slope upwards so the brackets won't fit 😢

[@seanrogers1725]

Just a quick one. Would it not be easier to cut the roller blind with a miter saw?

[@simonsharkey7017]

Thanks stuart your help was invaluable just copied u and it went up a treat cheers

[@paulryman-tubb3000]

Another excellent video, thank you. I didn't realise the stated width includes the brackets, that makes sense now and will use your technique next time. I have struggled to fix to top of the recess in the past because the drill hits a lintel. You didn't seem to have that issue at all?

[@pelvishakerg271]

Same. I did what he said without the brackets as he doesn't show the brackets in the measurements ... So I had to re cut!

[@Andyyybeeeee]

Going to have a crack at this today wish me luck 😅

[@SuperPauline14]

What if you hit a metal lintel while drilling the hole for the brackets?

[@darrenfail]

Could you tell me what size drill bit and plugs you used please

[@duymarctran]

Do you know how I can drill a perpendicular hole half an inch from the wall?

[@truth3358]

Your wife must really love you 😍 lol

[@ProperDIY]

Yep

[@brighteyes704]

You’re “that guy” lucky wife!

[@steveyeoland1214]

Great video as always Stuart... Never though about cutting the bit you don't need.. makes so much sense (as do a lot of your videos).. Keep it up .

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@somewhereelse3813]

Excellent, maybe basic for some but this is something we all will do at some point. Great tips included as usual. 😁👍👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@susiedove2642]

That's fine but what about external blinds?

[@stevensullivan285]

How much did you allow for the fittings?

[@umminayah2733]

My blind wont roll down ...any suggestions

[@Cd3]

200 CAD for cordless. Thanks canada

[@stephenlamb90]

You make everything look so easy. Last time if fitted blinds like these, I drilled into the window soffit, only to find it was plywood and hollow.

[@ProperDIY]

Yes can be sometimes