Do It Yourself

Before you place your order, please review the following information. It is very important!

Measurements

Accurate measurements are critical for insuring proper fit and operation of your window coverings. Round fractional measurements down to the smallest ¹/₈".

You will need a metal tape measure (preferably 1" width) and something on which to record your notations (i.e. pencil and paper, tape recorder, PDA, etc.) If you have school-aged kids, this is a great opportunity for them to learn some "real-world" skills in addition to helping you.

First you will need to decide if the widow covering is going to be installed inside the window casing (Inside Mount), or outside the window casing (Outside Mount). Be aware that any object which protrudes from the window into the room (i.e. cranks, latches, handles, alarm sensors, etc.) may potentially interfere with the proper operation of an inside mounted window covering.

Inside Mount

Start by facing your window. You should make at least three width measurements. Make the first along the top, inside edge of the window casing where the product is to be installed. The second should be made inside the casing at the window sill. The third measurement should then be made half-way between the first two. You may wish to make additional measurements on tall windows at regular intervals.

Record the smallest of your width measurements in inches. Remember, round fractional measurements down to the smallest ¹/₈".

Next, you should make at least three height measurements. Make the first along the left, inside edge of the window casing. The second should be made along the right, inside edge of the casing. The third should be made halfway between the first two. You may wish to make additional measurements at regular intervals on wide windows.

Record the smallest of your height measurments in inches. Again, round fractional measurements down to the smallest ¹/₈".

You should also make two additional measurements to verify that all four corners of your window are square. This is most important on windows with plaster or drywall casings. First, measure the diagonal line from the upper-left corner to the lower-right corner (or vice-versa) and note the measurement. Next, measure the opposite diagonal line and compare the two measurements. A small difference should not cause any problems, but a large one indicates the window is not square. This may cause problems with the installation or operation of the window covering. The easiest solution is to measure for an outside mount.

Outside Mount

Normally, it is much easier to measure for an outside mount window covering since you are not restricted to the dimensions of the window casing. However, you should keep a few things in mind as you make your measurements.

First, identify any protruding objects which may interfere with the operation of the window covering. Door knobs and handles, decorative mouldings, and extended sills are common obsticles which need to be addressed when measuring. One solution is to replace the object with one which will not interfere with the window covering. Another, is to extend the window covering farther into the room using spacers or extension brackets in order to clear the obsticle.

Second, there will be a space between the back of the window covering and the edge of the wall or casing around the window. The size of this space depends on the type of window covering you are measuring for and the necessary distance from the mounting surface. For example, you may need spacer blocks or extension brackets for the shade to clear the decorative trim moulding around your window. This space can create light and privacy "leaks" along the sides and bottom of the window. To overcome this problem, you will need to add approximately 6" to 12" more to the overall window measurements (3" to 6" overlap on each side) for each 1" to 2" of space behind the window covering. For an example of a properly overlapped outside mount, see our outside mount diagram.

Installation

Given the fact that each type of window covering has different installation hardware and procedures, it would be impractical for us to provide detailed installation instructions for every product. However, the following tips could make installation of your window covering easier and safer.

Typically, installation for inside mounts are to the jamb or soffit of the window frame. Outside mounts are typically installed to the face of the window frame, the wall above the frame, or the ceiling. Regardless of where the window covering is mounted, it is critical for the brackets to be well secured to the surface.

Depending on the surface the window covering will be installed onto, you may need additional fasteners and tools. For metal surfaces, pre-drill holes and use suitable sheet metal screws, or self-drilling screws (i.e. Tek screws). For concrete, stone, brick, or tile, you will need to use a hammer drill or carbide drill and appropriate plugs, anchors, or screws. For wallboard and plaster, you will need to use appropriate plugs or anchors in pre-drill holes. Always follow the fastener manufacturer's recommendations.

Standard rectangular window coverings normally must be installed with the head rail, track, or roller level. This is particularly important for proper operation of Silhouette^® and roller shades. If the mounting surface is not level or there are obstructions preventing level mounting of the window covering, the brackets could be shimmed or the window covering lowered.

If you encounter installation problems and need help, please contact us.