How to install blinds on plastic windows with your own hands

It is not always convenient to use curtains. In some cases, blinds are more practical and more convenient. They make it possible not only to protect yourself from immodest glances in the evenings, but also to regulate the level of illumination during the day by turning the lamellas (plates). We will talk about how to install blinds on plastic windows in this publication. 

Structures and installation methods

Blinds on windows are of two types – vertical and horizontal. Vertical slats are usually made of plastic or special dense fabric, cut into strips 10-15 cm wide. Less common are aluminum slats or synthetic threads.

Lamellas of horizontal blinds happen plastic, wooden and metal. Regardless of the type and material, they consist of a cornice and lamellae. Eaves – a plastic or aluminum U-shaped section in which the controls are located and to which the lamellas are suspended. Lamellas – horizontal or vertical stripes / plates, which actually close the opening. In order to be able to open and close the blinds, there are controls – chains or threads.

In horizontal models, there is also a control rod associated with a rotary mechanism. By rotating the rod, the angle of inclination of the lamellas is changed. This is how you can change the amount of light and the “transparency” of the window. If the slats are placed vertically (almost), they completely block the view. When horizontal, they almost do not interfere with the review, but there are still a lot of other positions.

When installing blinds, you need to fix the eaves. For fixing it, specially designed brackets are included in the kit. These brackets are attached to the window or wall, and the cornice is simply put on them (until it clicks).

There are several ways to install blinds on plastic windows:

• Directly on each window sash. This installation method will allow you to use the window sill at any time. The only limitation is that it will not be possible to place objects close to the frame. Many are afraid of the need to make holes in the PVC profile with this method of installation. The presence of several additional holes in the plastic does not affect the properties of the window. Besides, on the opening sash of the window, you can fix the blinds without drilling.
• Fix in the opening so that only the window is closed, but not the adjacent walls. With this method of installation, the cornice is attached to the upper slope.
• Attach to the ceiling. This should leave enough space to open the sash (at least 5 cm).
• On the wall.
  • Attach the cornice directly to the wall above the window.
  • Install on additional long brackets. This option is suitable for shallow window openings, when blinds hanging close to the wall do not allow the sash to be opened.
    

The installation method of the blinds will have to be determined even before the purchase: the dimensions of the canvases depend on this. So the type of installation must be selected before measurements.

We carry out measurements

With the type of blinds (horizontal, vertical) and the method of their installation (on the wall, ceiling, in the window on the sash, in the window opening) you need to decide before buying. And even before the moment you start measuring. Because different installation methods require different sizes. Only with correctly made measurements, it will be easy to install blinds on plastic windows.

Another important point: each window needs to be measured separately.. Sometimes it just seems that they are exactly the same. Believe me, there is a difference. And the measurement results must also be recorded and signed, which specific window you measured and which sash it is. Accurate and detailed records will help to avoid confusion during purchase and installation.

In the window opening

Although the appearance of the products is different, when measuring there is no difference between horizontal and vertical models. If you are going to install blinds in a window opening, you need to subtract 2 cm from its width on each side. You can subtract 1-3 cm from the height of the opening. Such gaps are needed so that the canvas hangs freely in the opening and the lower edge of the slats does not rub against the window sill.

Please note that you can install blinds on plastic windows “in the opening” not flush with the edge of the opening, but deeper – at the very glass or stepping back 5 or more centimeters from the edge. If the opening has a trapezoidal shape, the height/width of the opening will be smaller for the glass, so we take measurements carefully. And yet, in this case, it is better to put marks for installation when measuring. Then you will know exactly where you will need to install the blinds on the plastic windows so that their dimensions fit perfectly.

On the ceiling or wall

Here the measurements depend on your desires. The length of the blinds can be up to the floor or just up to the windowsill. Moreover, depending on the type of installation chosen, the lamellas can cover the window sill or not. So the length is whatever you like.

The width of the blinds with this installation method is wider than the window opening. How much wider depends on your desire, but the minimum entry is 5 cm on each side. But if the window is in the same plane with the wall surface, you will need additional brackets that are not included in the package: the lamellas must be placed at least 5 cm from the glass surface so that they do not interfere with opening the sashes for ventilation.

on sashes

When installing blinds on a multi-leaf window, there are two possibilities – put one device on each sash or order one long one for the entire window. Usually the first option is chosen – it makes it possible to open and close the sashes with the blinds lowered. If you choose this installation method, you will need to measure each sash and record the results. Sash can be different, so be careful.

The width of the blinds when installed on the sash is taken 3 cm wider than the glass. When hanging, the lamellas overlap by 1,5 cm on the profile. It is convenient and does not interfere with opening / closing windows. The length depends on the location of the fastener, but usually it is 5 cm longer than the height of the glass.

Once again, we draw your attention: we measure each sash!

How to install blinds on plastic windows: fasten to a wall or window opening

The first step is to mark up. We install brackets in the eaves. We place them on the right and left so that they do not interfere with the operation of the blinds. The installation height depends on the selected product length.

We apply the curtains, mark with a pencil on the wall the places for installing fasteners in the brackets. If we mount horizontal blinds (they are light and create almost no load), it is enough to put one self-tapping screw / dowel. Vertical ones are heavier, so you need to install all the fasteners from the kit.

There is also a second way. At the selected level, use the building level to draw a horizontal line, try to avoid tilting – this will affect the blinds (skew). Attach the bottom of the bracket to this line, use a pencil to mark the holes through the holes for drilling. If the length of the cornice is more than 2 m, an additional bracket is required to increase the rigidity of the structure, which is attached in the middle.

When attaching to brick or concrete, at the marked points, we drill holes in the wall or ceiling. Drill or hammer – who has what is available. The diameter of the drill depends on the size of the dowels. They usually come with a kit, but you can put your own.

We insert expansion dowels into the finished holes, carefully hammer them with a hammer. We put the brackets, fasten them with screws or nails (if using a dowel-nails). We install the eaves on the brackets, insert the plugs on the sides. For horizontal blinds, attach a rod (handle) to control the swivel mechanism. To do this, install a special hook (included) directly into the mechanism itself, attach the tip of the rod to this hook.

Installation of horizontal blinds on PVC window sashes

With this method of installation, the blinds are fastened with small self-tapping screws (included) in the window profile. Install them so that they do not interfere with the handle to turn. Be careful: if you drill too close to the glazing bead, you can damage the glass unit. Therefore, in this case, correct measurements are very important.

Installation step by step

The procedure is as follows:

• We install the fasteners on the eaves in such a way that they do not interfere with the moving parts inside.
• We try on the product on the frame. We expose it so that the lamellas go on the drain frame and on the right at the same distance.
• We mark with a pencil or marker the place where the fasteners should be located. During this operation, it is necessary to keep the cornice as even as possible. You can navigate along the contours of the window frame or use the level.
• Although the plastic is quite soft and you can immediately screw screws into it so that the frame does not crack, it is better to pre-drill the holes. The diameter of the drill is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws. Usually, self-tapping screws with a diameter of 3 mm are included, so the drill must be taken for 2 mm or 2,5 mm.
• We take the brackets, fasten them with screws to the frame.
  

• We insert the cornice of the blinds, pushing until it clicks.
• We close the ends with the plugs that come with the kit.

Having to drill holes in a window frame can be intimidating, but there’s nothing to worry about. In case of incorrectly made holes, unsuccessful ones can be filled with sealant. White silicone, not acrylic (acrylic quickly turns yellow). The characteristics of the windows will not be affected. What can be dangerous is getting into a double-glazed window. Then it might crack. But this is not fatal – it can be replaced, although it will not be cheap.

Installing the bottom brackets

But that is not all. To finally install horizontal blinds on plastic windows, you need to drill a couple more holes – under the latches (also called anti-wind). These are additional fasteners at the bottom of the opening sash of the window. The lower edge of the blinds is tucked into them. They do this so that when airing the blinds do not hang down, do not dangle from the wind and do not knock down objects on the windowsill.

We set the clamps like this: we try on, pulling the blinds down a little, mark the places of fasteners, drill holes, install. We fill the lower bar into the installed clamps. Now, even with a draft or an open sash, the blinds will not hang out. The only thing to watch out for during installation is not to get into the glazing bead (this is a long bar that runs along the double-glazed window and holds it). It is necessary to drill a hole in the frame itself, stepping back at least 1 cm from the edge. Otherwise, there are no problems.

without drilling

There is also a way to install blinds on plastic windows and not drill the frame. This method is available only for those blinds that are hung on opening sashes. In this case, they are simply hung on plastic mounts / brackets that are put on the frame from above. To prevent them from moving, a strip of double-sided tape is attached to the back of the bracket. After removing the protective film, it can be glued (but you can not fix it).

These L-shaped plastic brackets are not included, but you can buy them from a store or from a company that sells horizontal blinds. This method is convenient by simply dismantling the blinds, which is convenient if they need to be repaired or washed.

 Assembly of vertical blinds

Vertical blinds are installed in exactly the same way as described above. The difference is that the slats are installed after the eaves are fixed (the guide along which the runners move). For convenience, before attaching the slats, you can turn the sliders with an adjustment cord so that the slots in them are perpendicular to the eaves. Next, simply snap the lamellas into the sliders, inserting the strip until it clicks. So, in turn we fix all the lamellas.

If the slats are made of fabric, then after installing them, do not forget to insert the lower weight. Next, we attach the lower connecting chain to the lamellas.

Installation of vertical blinds is completed.