Fitting a roller blind

Summary: Learn how to fit a roller blind, fit a roller blind in a window recess and fit a roller blind across the front of the window.

The simplest window blind to install is the roller blind. Roller blinds are now available in a range of designs and colours from neutral shades to bold patterned fabrics.

The components that make up a roller blind.

About roller blinds

A blind can be fitted inside the window recess or above it. Roller blinds can be supplied in kit form and will consist of:

  • A plastic roller
  • Two end caps (one with the pull cord mechanism)
  • Two support brackets
  • Pull-cord
  • A narrow lath
  • The fabric for the blind
  • Two cord knobs 

Roller blinds are available in a variety of sizes with the common widths ranging from 600mm to 1800mm with a standard drop of 1600mm. If your windows are not a standard size, you can order bespoke blinds to fit or alternatively buy the next size up and cut it to size.

Mark the position of the brackets in the recess before drilling the holes and screwing them in place.

Fitting in a window recess

  • Decide which side of the window you want to operate the blind from to determine where the control bracket will be fixed.
  • Mark the positions for the brackets in the top corners of the recess with a pencil.
  • Mark the screw holes for the control bracket with a bradawl.
  • Drill the holes and insert wall plugs.
  • Screw the brackets into place, checking they are level.
  • Measure and cut the roller to fit between the brackets.
  • When choosing your roller blind kit, select a non-fraying fabric to avoid having to sew a hem on the cut side. The width of the fabric should be 3mm shorter than the roller.
  • The blind must be long enough to cover the window plus an extra 200mm.
  • Turn up a hem at the bottom of the fabric 6mm in width to create a sleeve in which to fit the lath.
  • The top of the fabric can then be attached to the self-adhesive strip on the roller. It is important to ensure that the top edge of the fabric is aligned with the axis of the roller. Roll the fabric around the roller.
  • Fit the cap with the pull-cord mechanism into one end of the roller and the other cap into the other end.
  • With the cords hanging down, first slot the end of the blind with the pull-cord mechanism into the control brackets. Slot the other end into the other bracket.
  • Thread one of the cord knobs onto the end of the cord that lowers the blind. Pull the cord down level with the windowsill and slide the lath into the sleeve at the bottom of the blind (remember you may also have to cut the lath to the correct width).
  • Remove the blind and unwind the fabric to its full length or to the distance to the windowsill. Slot the blind back into its brackets.
  • Using the other cord, raise the blind and then thread the other cord knob onto the end.
  • Check the blind operates smoothly.
  • If the blind does not roll back up or is stiff, first check for debris clogging the control mechanism. But do not apply oil to the mechanism.
  • If this is not the problem, the spring-action tension could be at fault. Unroll about 200mm, deactivate the spring-action mechanism and roll up the blind by hand.

Fitting the roller across the front of the window

  • When fitting a roller blind across the front of the window the roller needs to be 100mm wider than the window. The method of fitting the roller blind in position is the same as above.

Tools needed

  • Pencil
  • Bradawl
  • Power drill
  • Masonry bit
  • Screwdriver

Materials needed

  • Wall plugs
  • Screws

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