Ask The Expert
I have been in the Window Treatment Industry for 25 years. I’ve performed in home consulations, in store sales and installations. I have seen just about every type of treatment out there and installed it in just about every type of window opening. I created “ask the expert” for you. So put me to the test, post your question below, I enjoy helping. And by chance I don’t have an answer, maybe someone else here will.
Robert, We have a pair of hunter douglas luminette with the power glide remote control system. We have an 8 ft. window right next to a 6 ft. patio door. The patio door sheer and remote work fine. We are having a problem with the split window. The remote will move the blinds from the stacked position and move the blinds towards each other but will start a grinding, racheting noise and we have to manually pull the power supply cord to get it to stop. The remote willl not tilt the vanes to a privacy or closed position. It will retract to the open (stacked) position and then once again not stop but grind and rachet until we once again pull the power supply. We did replace the rod from hunter douglas and once again same thing. I need to know what you think might be the problem – can I use another mfg. rod or am I just going to have to put up with pulling the power cord. Remember — the patio door system works GREAT! The power glide remote does both units. Any help would be very much appreciated since we have been dealing with this issue for over a year. Thank you!
HI Nancy
These remote control treatments can be very frustrating, like they have a mind of there own. But when they do work they are impressive. It sounds like the limits need to be reset. Right not it doesn’t know when to stop so it keeps going and that it whats is causing the grinding noise. You have to reset the limits on just that one treatment. You can find the step by step procedures at HD’s web site or call and ask for tech support. Very important before you start is to disconnect the good one from the power source (usually a battery pack).
Good Luck
Robert
Hi..this site has been helping me so much, except, I am on a tight budget and truly need to begin updating all of my old roller shades. I want to begin in living room. Since my windows do not allow for inside mount due to lack of room ( and I did order some and tried), I decided outside mount would be fine. Want either cellular shades or roman shades…maybe in bamboo or whatever…but #1-the cost and #2-not sure on size. One window from outside edge of mouldings is 37″ and other two are 36 1/2″ so there goes my chance of buying ready made…any suggestions to keep the cost low..really can’t spend $70 or so on each blind…doomed??? Thank you
HI Claire
I checked several places for you and found the best price at Stevesblinds.com. They have Bamboo (woven woods) for $ 45.72. The size I pluged in for the price is 38X70 outside mount. The drawback is at this price is only available in golden oak. Then it jumps to $58.00 for about 8 more colors. I also checked selectblinds.com and found bamboo shades (woven woods) for $59.91 in the same size but available in 10 colors, and if you buy 3 you get the 4th free bringing your price down to $44.93 each. Drawback is the buy 3 get 1 free sale ends Sunday 12-16-12 at midnight. The prices for cellular shades were a couple of dollars more. Good luck and if you have any more questions just ask.
Robert
My window measures 31 1/2x 57 shouldI order up or down on the width?
Hi Kathleen
I need you to answer 2 questions to give you a real good answer. What type of treatment are you measuring for? Is it going to be an inside or outside mount?
Hi Bob,
I have a 94″ by 46″ window and would like to replace the old mini blinds with 2″ faux wood blinds. I’m concernd about the weight. Is there a certain brand that weighs less than others? Or do you otherwise have any recommendations? We will not be raising/lowering the blinds very often, but will mostly just be opening & closing them daily. I really appreciate any advice!
Thank you,
Kitty
Hi Kitty
94 X 46 would be pretty heavy to raise in a faux wood. But if you don’t plan on raising them too often it wouldn’t be too bad. If you wanted to stay with faux wood the only thing that would make it lighter is to do several blinds instead of one. For example if you have three windows butting together, go with 3 blinds and a common valance (valance that goes across the top of all three faux woods to tie them together). If you went with real wood instead of faux wood, that would reduce the weight quite a bit but would raise the price by about $50.00.
Thanks for your question
Robert
Hi Bob,
I have a small A-frame house with two windows up high that are not accessible. I would like to hang faux wood blinds on them but I would also like to be able to open and close the blinds. Without spending too much money, is there a remote system available? Or possibly extra long rods that hang down far enough?
Thanks!
Julie
Hi Julie
The remote control blinds cost a lot more. For example a 24X36 faux that would cost approx $40.00 would be over $300.00 for remote control and the motor would only tilt the slats you would still have to draw the blinds up with a cord. A less expensive option is long controls. I know a company that will make long controls at no charge as long as you specify it at the time of order. You can order it in one foot lengths to how ever long you want. Just specify the length in the special instructions box.
Here’s a link>>>>>Faux Woods with extra long cords
I bought an old house that was built in the 50′s. We are renovating it a little at a time and the outside blinds (attached to screens for the windows) unhook at the top and come off the house. We need to have them cleaned up and painted. Does anyone do this kind of work? Thanks.
Hi, I have several steel doors with tall, narrow windows. I’d like to put aluminium magnetic blinds on them. They are only about 8″ wide and 28″ tall. Should I have a especially cut narrow blind made for them or just hang regular 25″ wide blinds on these windows and cover most of the door, too?
Hi Katana
Not sure what type of blinds you have but there are business that will come to your house to clean your treatments. Not aware of anyone who will paint them.
Robert
Hi Art
I would do one blind to cover both since you will have a very hard time finding an 8″ wide blind.
I love the cordless cellular shades I have in my bedroom. When I went to order them for the living room and dining room, I discovered that my 17″ windows are too narrow for most companies. Is there any company that makes cordless cellular shades for 17″ width windows?
Hi Shannon
Your right 17 inch cordless are hard to find. The cutoff is about 18.5 for many companies but there is one that does make them 17 wide. Here’s a link >>>>>> 17″ wide cordless cellular shades
Hi. I just purchased inside mount 2″ wooden blinds from Steve’s blinds. In order to install the blinds, we would need to screw into the plastic piece between the wood on the frame (and trim) and the glass. the other option would mean that the bracket would stick out at least an inch from the wall and not look very good. Are there any options to hnag the wooden shared from the top on the window instead of side brackets?
Hi Kristin
Are these double hung windows? You’re trying to mount them far back as possible so the blind is fully recessed in your window opening. The problem is if you set them back, when you go to raise the bottom half of the window you will hit the blind and prevent the window from raising completly. Also when you lower the blind you will always hit the lower window. In addition you might void any mfg. warranty if you drill into the plastic window frame. The good news is this is a very common situation. Most window openings don’t have enought depth for a full recess mount. What I would suggest to do is order outside mount valances with returns. The returns are that side piece on the valance that hides the bracket.Take a look at the pictures below. The first one shows a blind where the bracket sticks out quite a bit. The second pic shows the same blind with a outside mount valance with returns. Finishes it off quite nicely. I would contact stevesblinds.com and tell them how much much depth your brackets will be set back and that you need outside mount valances with returns. You want to give them the depth because they can calculate how long to make the returns. They may charge you or they might send them at no charge. Good luck, let me know how it goes.
Robert
Hi
After we got a big window replaced I realized that I would not be able to use an inside mount on it for a honeycomb shade. I hate outside mounts, & there is really nice moulding around the window. Can you suggest a work-around for this problem? The window is a 2 way slider so it is deeper than the original window. Thank you
Hannah
Hi Hannah
I know when you get replacement windows you lose some of your depth. You still have a good chance of doing a inside mount. It depends on how much depth and the brand of cellular shade. Different companies use different brackets. Do you already have the shade? Look at the picture below. This is a bracket for a cordless cellular shade that has 3/4 inch depth. As long as you can get a screw into one of those holes in the bracket, you can get that shade into the opening. If this doesn’t work for you let me know because there are other options.
Hi I have a living room window that I would like to dress with a roman blind and curtains (curtains will be for show, not use) in complementary fabrics. The room is quite dark so to maximise light I wanted to hang the roman blind outside the window recess quite high up on the wall so it doesn’t block out too much light when open. The curtains would also be outside the window recess and stacjked back against the wall to maximise light. I wondered if it would look ok having the both outside the recess and if having curtains would make opening and closing the roman blind difficult? Your opinion would be a real help. Thanks
HI Emma
I think you have the right idea of mounting the Romans high up for the stack. I would check with the company you plan on buying from and ask what the stack thickness is so you know about how high to actually mount them. So if your window opening height is 70 inches and the stack is 12 inches, then you would order the shade at 82 inches and mount it 12 inches above the opening. Also make sure you make the width so the Roman overlaps the trim by about 1 inch on each side. As far as the draper panels the important thing is the brackets. The brackets have to have enought projection to clear the Romans. Many brackets are adjustable. The Roman wouldn’t look too much different then if they were inside with no trim so I think the look would be fine. Here’s a picture of side panels with wood blinds just to give you an idea of what it might look like.
Thanks
Robert
Hi Robert,
My windows are 21 inches wide ( inside measurement) and deep enough to accommodate inside mounted blinds. In your opinion would this look ok or ridiculous based on the size of the window?
Thanks!
Hi Ellen
I think they would look fine. 21 inches isn’t that narrow. Here’s a picture of an inside mount Roman shade that’s about 20 inches wide.
Robert
Thank you!
What is your opinion of inside mounting a Luminette shade? There is plenty of room inside the opening for mounting, and although Hunter Douglas gives all the requirements and instructions for inside installation, their price guide also says they don’t recommend it. Do you feel there will be too much of a light gap when they are tilted? Do you have any pictures of this application? Thank you.
Hi Donna
As long as you have plenty of depth, there is no problem doing an inside mount. There isn’t much of a light gap along the sides. But this isn’t the treatment to use if you want room darkening. It just so happens I do have a picture of an inside mount Luminette. This is on a sliding glass door. if you notice along the right side the material is hung up on the door handle. Didn’t catch it until after I took the pic. There is only about 2 inches of depth so the treatment isn’t fully recessed.
I’d like to know, what are the smallest possible wood or faux wood blinds (the ladders I mean) that exist for me to buy? Like wise, what are the smallest possible vinyl blinds available?
Is there such a thing as a half inch blind?
What is the shallowest possible head rail made or available?
Thanks!
Hi Jana
The smallest slat for a wood or vinyl blind is 1 inch. The headrail is about 1-1/2 inch.
You can see the blind here…..1 inch wood blinds
There is a such thing as a 1/2 inch slat. It is available in aluminium only and is called a micro mini blind. The headrail is also about 1-1/2.
You can see it here….1/2 inch micro mini blinds
Robert
I don’t like the look of white backed shades from the outside front of my house. Have you ever seen shades that were backed in a darker gray or blue so it is less visible from the outside?
Hi Diane
Only ones I’m aware of are roller shades, un-lined Roman shades and woven woods.
Hi there!
I am having major problems installing a set of interior mount roman shades. Sounds easy enough right? I’ve done this before with ease but in this room I have already broken two drill bits and and not able to get the bit to go up into the wood enough to pre-drill the holes for the screw to go into. It is like I am hitting something that is preventing me from going further. This is a very old house so not sure what it is or could be. I am at a loss and not sure what to do. I am pregnant, nesting feverishly, and desperate to get these blinds up. Any help is appreciated
HI Sarah
Is it a wood headrail? If it is wood, maybe your hitting a knot in the wood or a dull bit. Did you try drilling a new hole an inch over.
Robert
It is a wood headrail.. Yes, many many many holes ha!! Finally found a spot that worked when pulling the brackets forward, not to either side. Thankfully I had some wiggle room on where brackets could be located. Thanks for your time and the help!!!
Hi Robert, I’m interested in replacing all my blinds in the bedrooms with cordless cellular shades but having a hard time finding a brand that has a bracket that will fit. My window depth is less than an inch, maybe around half an inch or so. You posted a picture (March 3, 2013 at 5:01 pm) of a bracket for a 3/4 inch depth frame, can you give me the details on that?
Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Heidi
That is a bracket for a room darkening cordless cellular shade.If you have 3/4 depth, you’ll have plenty of room to fit that bracket. The name of the company is comfortex and here’s a link >>>>> Comfortex Cellular Shades.
Good Luck
Robert
Hello I was wondering how much of a window does a roller shade block when completely rolled up? And do you have any suggestions as to what types of blinds to install on a bank of windows that views west to the ocean. Most of the time you want the view unless trying to watch television in the bright sun. Currently we have woven wood blinds and a good 9 inches of the window is covered when the kinds are fully raised.
Hi Tammy
A roller shade will take up a couple of inches. You might want to look into a sunscreen roller shade. Blocks out the suns glare but still maintain a view. I have some pictures on my pinterest page.Cellular shades will also take up only a couple of inches. Either one will be a big difference from woven woods. Good luck
Robert
I have 36″ X 69″ and 38″ x 73″ windows in my son’s room. I’m in need of cordless shades (preferably cellular or roller type) due to small children. Because of the height of the windows, cordless shades would not allow me to fully lift the shade to the top of the window when not in use. Remote control shades are too expensive for a child’s room. Are there any other options that would give me the safety I desire for my children; yet, still allow me to fully raise the shade during the day?
HI Sandy
Most companies that sell cellular shades offer a “Continuous Loop Lift Cord” as a control option as seen here.
Another option is a “Ultra glide retractable cord system” it is only available by Hunter Douglas. You can take a look at it here……Ultra Glide
Lastly is a standard cord control. All cords on cellular shades will come with a breakaway cord to prevent injury. As seen below
Hi Robert I have an old house and the windows have been replaced with vinyl windows. I want to install mini blinds and would would rather install them inside rather than out side.Just like the look better. The problem seems to be with the molding they installed around the window. Can brackets be fastened to the vinyl frame of the window or do you know of a better way?
Hi Gaty
That’s always a problem with replacement windows. They add some molding that reduces the depth of your opening. You might have enough room to do a inside mount still. Measure your depth, you only need about 3/4 of a inch. Take a look at the comment from March 3rd. The opening in the picture had replacement windows. It has 3/4 inch of depth. Let me know, I can steer you in the direction of a blind that will work.
Robert
Hello,
I have an office in the house with 4 trapezoid windows. 2 are very large and 2 are smaller. I’m having a difficult time finding window coverings that are reasonably priced that would allow for full view out the windows when need be. I can’t just put a curtain across nor can I put shudder style blinds because the angle of the window follows the roof line with is vaulted at a very steep angle. I’ve been trying to find cellular blinds that will pull all the way up into the angle but the latest quote I got from a company in Denver was near $4000! that is 4k for 4 windows. Incredible. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi Tom
Your options are much more limited for trapezoid windows. I know hunter Douglas makes a shade that you can raise up to where the angle starts but the triangler portion of the window will always be covered. A more economical way would be to do vertical blinds. The limitation would be the angle has to be greater than 45 degrees. You will be able to rotate them and let light in but you cannot draw them.
Good Luck
Robert
Hi there,
We just had a Hunter Douglas vertiglide (blackout applause) installed as an inside mount across a set of sliding glass patio doors in our bedroom. I am noticing there is approximately a half inch gap of light running down both sides of of the shade when closed. I assumed the blind would fit tight to the frame. Is this normal?
Thank you!
Tracy.
Hi Tracy
There will be about a 1/4 inch gap along each side but 1/2 inch is a bit much. Does the headrail fit tightly into your opening or is there a little wiggle room. Should be only 1/16 wiggle on each side. Who measured?
Robert
Hi Robert
I have read though some of the posts up top, we just bought a house and have maybe 1″ depth for window treatments. I know our options are limited. I cant stand outside mount, especially with the pretty moulding that we have around the windows. What are our most affordable options? We’re talking about 17 windows ranging from 32″ wide to about 78″ wide.
Thank you!
Hi Sarah
You have many options but most affordable are going to be faux wood blinds and cellular shades. Many people mix it up using cellular shades in the bedrooms for better energy and light control. Faux woods every where else. If you use Faux woods just be sure to get the valance right. Read this article to see what I mean. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Robert