Cellular Shades

How to Install Cellular Shades

Decorative shades are perfect for every room in your house because they boast great versatility, letting you control the amount of light you let in, while providing you with the level of privacy you are looking for.

Not just versatile, cellular shades look great in every décor and are remarkably easy to install, making them a top choice for homeowners worldwide.

To begin the installation process, you will want to get together the following tools:

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Screwdrivers
  • Drill
  • Awl (a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching small holes)

Following the steps below, you will be able to have your cellular blinds up in no time at all:

  1. Measure 2 inches in from each side jamb and make a mark on the head jamb above the window.
  2. Hold one of the metal mounting brackets up against the head jamb, keeping it aligned with the 2-inch pencil line.
  3. To ensure that the bracket is square, line up its front lip with the front edge of the head jamb.
  4. With the bracket held firmly in place, mark two screw-mounting holes with an awl.
  5. Repeat this procedure for the other bracket(s).
  6. Use a drill fitted with a 1/16-inch-diameter bit to bore pilot holes at each screw location. Hold the bit perfectly straight as you bore up into the head jamb.
  7. Next, attach the mounting brackets by holding the bracket in place, making sure that you align it with the screw pilot holes bored into the head jamb.
  8. Fasten the bracket with two pan-head screws.

Quick Tips:

You will want to make sure your new cellular shades are perfectly level. To do this, hold a level across the two mounting brackets to see if they’re level.

If your hardware is not level and off by more than 1/8 inch, simply loosen the screws on the higher bracket. Next, slip a small piece of wood or a few pieces of this cardboard between the bracket and head jamb. Tighten the screws and check again to see if the installed hardware is now level. Repeat again if necessary.

Once you have determined that the hardware is level, follow these steps:

  1. Loosen the small screws, called brace screws, on the bottom side of the mounting brackets.
  2. Next, lift the shade up to the head jamb and hook the front edge of the shade’s head rail onto the protruding lip of the two brackets.
  3. Swing the rear of the head rail back toward the window and tighten the brace screws to lock the shade into the brackets.

Quick Tip: When tightening the brace screws, be careful not to catch the fabric in the bracket.

Need More Help?

Let us help you find a local installer who will handle the measuring and installing of your new window blinds for you.