How to Choose the Right Blinds for Your Windows
There are many types of blinds on the market, and they speak to various room requirements. Bedrooms, where you need dark, restful conditions, can benefit from light-blocking shades. Windows facing busy streets or areas open to the public may be best served by blinds that can be tilted to admit light but still provide privacy, like basic vinyl mini blinds. Blinds also come with features like top-down or bottom-up opening options for privacy and light adjustment, cordless operation for child and pet safety, and light-diffusing materials that admit light even when closed completely. Once you’ve chosen your blinds, you need to decide on an inside or outside mount style, and measure accordingly. You may be able to use readymade blinds that come in standard sizes, or, for less common dimensions, custom-made blinds.
How to Hang a Curtain Rod
Inside Mount Blinds:
Offer a polished, finished lookRequire a adequate window depth for installation Are the most common type of blind installation
Outside Mount Blinds:
Block more outside light Are recommended when windows have a crank, other hardware, or security sensors that would obstruct inside mount blinds Are better for very shallow windows Typically have headrails (which house the mechanisms that raise and lower the blinds) installed on window moldings above the window or on the wall itself
How to Measure Windows for Blinds
Window treatment installation depends on accurate measuring, whether you’ve chosen inside or outside mount blinds. Tools Required:
Metal retractable tape measure Pen or pencil Paper (or somewhere to record measurements) Stepladder (if needed)
How to measure for inside mount blinds:
How to measure for outside mount blinds:
Steps for Installing Blinds
Once you have your new set of blinds, installation is a fairly quick and straightforward process. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for specific installation guidelines. Tools Needed:
Stepstool or short ladder (required for most windows) Pencil or pen Screwdriver (manual or electric) Awl or drill for marking/starting screw holes)
Steps for installing inside mount blinds:
Steps for installing outside mount blinds:
The steps are nearly identical to installing inside mount blinds, except at the start.
