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.
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Have a Trapizoid Angle Top. Using Cellular. Have been told that they will only raise to the lowest point, start of the angle. Any options ? Have seen a patented moving headrail on a couple site that claim it will raise up all the way ??? Thanks in advance for any help, Kirk
HI Kirk
Cellular shades for a trapizoid with a standard cord control will only raise to the lowest point. The remote control type ( moving headrail ) is the only one that I have seen that will draw completed up.
Robert
Do you know if Levelor custom Acadia Cordless single Cellular top-down, bottom-up shades with metal rails could have width cut off to fit different window than originally ordered shade for? Is it something the DIYer can do at home? If so, do you know where I can get instructions. If not DIY project, does it have to go back to factory? Thanks.
Hi Sandra
I don’t know if they can be cut down. I don’t think I would want to attempt it because there is a risk of damanging the componets that make it go up and down. I would contact Levelor maybe they can cut it down (if it’s a small amount). If it’s a new shade and was mis-measured they may do a 50/50 split. Meaning reorder it at 50% of your cost.
Good Luck
Robert
I want to have the controls and stack of vertical blinds at opposite ends. Is this possible and if so, how?
Hi Gerry
Yes it is possible. This is an option offered by most companies. It may cost a little extra, when placing your order online just select controls left and stack right or the other way around.
Good Luck
Robert
Thanks for your earlier reply. But the blinds are already installed on windows and sliders of an existing home that we recently purchased. For one of the sliders I’d like to modify the existing installation so the controls and stack are at the opposite ends. There seems to be a “fixed” slat at the control end. Is it possible to make that slat moveable and fix or secure a slat at the other end? I am able to reverse the entire blind and have already done that.
We are installing cellular blinds, our window frames are approximately 5 inches deep from frame edge to glass. Is it more efficient to install closer to the glass or at the edge (blinds are inside mount).
We live in northern canada so do need an air circulation space, just not sure if the efficiency will be compromised if they are installed to far from the glass. Our windows are new triple pane installed fall 2011.
Thanks
Hi Lor
Cellular blinds are going to be energy efficient either way maybe a little better closer to the glass but not much. There are some pros and cons to mounting closer to the glass. Pros; you can utilize the sill, the debth adds charactor. Cons are because there is less air circulation in the winter ice will build up on the glass.
Mounting flush with the wall is a cleaner look and has less ice build up since there is more room for air to circulate. Disadvantage is you loose the use of the sill and a little less energy efficient.
Thanks For Your Question
Robert
Thanks for your answer… we will install today! As for using the sill if there is stuff on it then it is harder to dust
Good point!
Trying to choose insulating, privacy cellular shades for bedroom.
2 windows- one is very tall trapezoid with angle at top. Widths are standard.
Prefer cordless. Can you suggest a preferred manufacturer?
What is best for size of cell?
House is post and beam so shades will be mounted inside beams.
Hi Kathleen
A company called Blindchalet can help you with a trapezoid window. They will walk you through the process and let you know what measurments will be needed. These shades are available in privacy, cordless and a cell size 1/2 or better will give you excellent insulation. Here is a link to there information page for Trapezoids.
Thanks for the question
Hi Bob,
Why aren’t aluminum verticals made anymore? Just curious.
Thanks!
Deb
Hi Deb
I don’t know if they aren’t made anymore but I havn’t seen them in years. They were very noisy and bent easily. The vinyl material used a lot today are more plyable and still nosiy when they cling in the wind but not as bad as aluminum.
Robert
Hello –
We have a kitchen door with a window that we need to cover. The door is metal and I don’t want to drill into it. In fact, the owner wont let us drill into it anyway. Right now, it’s covered by a curtain that is attached to the door by a short magnetic rod. The only magnetic rod I’ve been able to find looks like this
http://www.countrycurtains.com/product/0303r751+magnetic+rod.do?code=MF10112&zmam=52762693&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=R75108BR
* OR *
http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Blind-Full-Length-68/dp/B000256NOA
Both very unattractive choices for me. The blinds only come in 1 color and they are flimsy. Is there ANY other option – can you think of ANY other way I could hang a curtain or blinds without drilling into the metal door?
Is there any other magnetic blind out there? Many thanks – Caroline.
Hi I ordered roman blinds nice pattern, and i ordered outside mount and they sent me inside mount they may make good on my order but if not can i hang inside mount roman blinds outside?!
Hi Caroline
I don’t know how much money you want to put into this but there is a enclosed blind that will attach to the door without drilling hole. here’s a link to an article I wrote “Do it yourself enclosed blinds” it’s also available as a cellular shade.
Robert
Hi Helen
The only difference between inside and outside mount is they will take a small decuction off the width. For example if you ordered it 36 inches wide by 60 inches long on a inside mount you will get a Roman shade about 35 3/4 wide by 60 inches long. So the answer to your question is yes you can it just might be a little narrower. By the way, how do you know it’s an inside mount?
Thanks
Robert
Bob – thank you so, so, so much. I never knew such a thing as enclosed blinds existed. I ran out to one of the big box stores yesterday and snapped one up. Hubby will be installing it tomorrow. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks so much!
Your welcome….and I would love to hear how it went.
I’m looking for top down bottom up blinds. I have a metal door and want ones that are attached magneticaly. Do you know where I would be able to buy these? You can give me store websites.
Thank you
Hi Sharon
I don’t know of top down bottom up blinds that are magnetic. But there are some that attach without drilling holes in your door. They are called enclosed shades. They come in various sizes but I think your limited to just whites and off whites for color. Here’s a link to check them out……..enclosed shades
Dear Robert,
I have 4 patio doors ,two side by side set, downstairs
the other upstairs the same. A passive solar home. I would like to make some large lined roller shades for each of the doors. I’ve seen it done before and look really nice. It rolled up all the way, and the top was covered with a valance. Would you know what the type of hardware with clutch, and plastic/metal cord I could use, and where I could look to find them?
Thank you for your help, and any suggestions you may have.
Regards,
Elise
Hi Elise
Sure can help you with this. Roller shades are avail in light filtering, room darkening and sun or solar screen. I take it because you want it lined that your interested in the room darkening.The chain is referred to as a continuous loop lift chain. It is an option and ussally at no charge, just have to call it out when ordering. The valance is also a option and normally cost extra. It’s referred to as a cassette. Here’s a link Roller Shades. Let me know if you have futher questions or how to measure them correctly.
Robert
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your quick and kind reply. I will go to the link you so nicely provided and see all that is available.
Regards,
Elise
Bob – I have several typical windows in the kitchen where I want to hang blinds. The only unusual thing about the windows is their depth.
They are NOT very deep – meaning the part of the window up at the very top where the blinds would be hanging from.
The windows are about 1/2″ deep or just slightly under. What I’m finding is that pretty much any size slay will work (be it mini 1″ or 2″ blind) – the slat size isn’t the problem … but I can’t hang them because the head rail is too deep.
I guess I’m asking what is the most shallow head rail available? i’ve searched hi & lo.
What options do I have? Any suggestions? Thanks – Caroline
HI Caroline
With 1/2 depth you have plenty of options. First yo can go with a cellular shade which has a small headrail. Or a 2 inch wood blind. The headrail will stick out a bit but you can hide it by ordering the valance with returns, take a look at this post “step by step guide for valances on your 2 inch wood blinds“. This is a common installation since most homes don’t have enough depth to completly recess 2 inch wood blinds. You can also do whats called a mock inside mount. This type of installation is when you can’t do a inside mount but don’t want your trim covered up. Take a look at this picture”
only thing missing in this picture is the valance. Lastly you can go with a one inch wood blind. It has a much smaller bracket, only drawback is it obstructs your view more since there are more slats.