How to shorten vertical blinds (2024)

FAQs

How do you shorten vertical blinds that are too long? ›

Most vertical blinds are kept in place by a small clip on the track. Take the vane that you marked and use a pencil and a ruler to draw a straight line across the bottom of the vane. This line marks where you will cut. Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut straight along the line you marked.

You can cut an even amount off of each side of the headrail or if it is a small amount, just cut it off of the lift cord side of the headrail. Remove the end stiffener from the headrail. With the tin snips or hacksaw, carefully cut the headrail along the mark you made.

You can only shorten vertical blinds from the top of the slat, because you need to use the folded pockets for the bottom weights, which keep the blind in place. Do not measure the length of the slats until you have fitted the track. Fix a single slat on a hook and check what length you need.

Pull one side of the cord and watch how the blinds move. If the window treatment goes down, continue pulling the side until it reaches an appropriate height. If it doesn't, pull the other side of the cord to lower the blind. Once the blinds reach a certain level, stop pulling the strings.

There are 2 methods to cutting the vanes. With a saw and a c-clamp multiple vanes can be cut at the same time. With scissors only one vane can be cut at a time. If the vertical blinds are installed, remove all the vertical vanes from the headrail track.

Shortening vertical blinds can be done quite simply by cutting them with sharp scissors and gluing the pocket back together at your desired length.

No, it doesn't matter if the fabric of a roller blind is too long, or more to the point, longer than the minimum length it needs to be. This causes no functional issues and isn't visible, as the additional length remains rolled up around the tube at the top.

Minimum Inside-Mounting Clearance for Most Brands. Always measure all of your windows, even if some appear to be the same size. Lowe's can cut many blinds to custom-fit your windows at no additional cost.

Measure both the width of the window and the height of the window. Consider adding an extra 3 inches to the width and height for optimum light control and privacy. Extending the blinds outside the window will also provide the space needed for the mounts and help the window appear larger than it actually is.

Use the sharpest scissors to ensure safety and accuracy when cutting the blinds. It must be emphasised that using dull scissors increases the risks for injuries because of the extra effort necessary to cut through the material. By using these scissors the results may also be unsatisfactory (i.e., more jagged edges).

Can you shorten width of blinds? ›

In cases where the blinds you have are too big for your windows, you'll need to cut them to size. This is quickly done by simply taking the measurements of your windows, marking them out on your blinds and cutting away the excess fabric.

The most common reason for slats getting stuck and unable to be lowered or raised is that their cord is trapped in its lock mechanism. To release it, raise the cord until it's level with the headrail at the top of your blinds, and then gently tug on it. This should release the lock mechanism and set the cord-free.

If you want to know how to lower cordless blinds, all you need to do is pull down on the bottom rail of the blinds. Conversely, to raise cordless blinds, simply place your hand under the bottom rail and gently raise it up.

Turn your blinds up. This direction is better for improved privacy too, as minimized gaps between the slats don't allow curious passersby to view the inside of the house.

Cut the blind slats and bottom rail using a circular saw or table saw. For plastic blinds, you might even be able to use a powerful set of sheers. Confirm that all slats, the headrail, and the bottom rail are cut at the same length.

A: Thank you for your inquiry. Yes the headrail can be cut down to these sizes.

If your window has a protruding sill, start from the sill and measure 2 inches beyond the top of your window opening to accommodate for mounting hardware. If your windowsill does not protrude, we suggest you begin your measurement 2 to 3 inches below the sill for maximum coverage.

We recommend your blind overlaps the window recess by at least 5cm on each side (10cm overall). You will eliminate more light the more the blind overlaps the recess.

A common rule of thumb is to ADD 2 inches to the length of the vertical blind. In other words measure from the floor to 2 inches above the moulding. If you have no moulding measure from the floor to 2 inches above the top of the opening.

While you may be focused on removing the dust in your home, according to an article published in Science Daily, letting the sunshine into your home through the windows can actually kill bacteria that live in the remaining dust and this can help decrease the risk of respiratory issues.

How much smaller should blinds be than the window? ›

To minimize light leakage the blind should overlap the window opening by at least 1 1/2" on each side for a total of 3" on entire width. 2) Measure distance from where the top of the blind will be located to the window sill. The blind should overlap the window opening on the top by at least 1-1/2".

“For privacy and to add a bit of texture, introduce drapery to the space,” she says. “For a more modern look opt for crisp, linen drapes, and for a more eclectic look, velvet is a great option. This will also keep the blinds from being the focal point, even when the curtains are open.”

Simply stop in with your measurements and a member of our staff will gladly do the rest for you!

Our associates can cut your in-store bought blinds to the exact size needed, for free.

Blinds: Custom blinds cannot be returned unless identified as “Guaranteed to Fit”, in which case such blinds can be exchanged. Limited to four blinds per household.

In summary. In summary, for Venetian, roller and vertical blinds, we would recommend they be hung from within the recess. However, Roman blinds would be better suited outside the recess, as they are able to let more light enter into the room.

Is it better to sleep with blinds open or closed? Any less or any more and you risk interrupting either stage of sleep. Leaving your blinds or curtains slightly open will also help suppress melatonin production, helping you to resist 10-minute snoozes.

An inside mount blind should fit the window measurements perfectly. Due to this, window blind users are always asked to measure the length and width of the window trim at three distinct places.

The slats from wood venetian blinds can be cut individually with a hand panel or jigsaw but for the best results all the slats should be cut together with a powered chop saw or bench saw.

If You Really Want to Cut Your Own Blinds, you need a power saw and a pair of tin snips. The headrail is usually made of aluminum. You can cut it with a pair of tin snips or a hacksaw. You get a cleaner, easier cut with a hacksaw.

Can you shorten a vertical blind headrail? ›

Your headrail is manufactured using a high quality metal that can be easily cut to reduce the length if required. is latest safety designed want control unit allows you to easily draw and rotate the panels to the required side.

Subtract the width of the window from the headrail measurement. This is the amount you need to trim. Divide the amount in half if it's more than 2 inches so you can cut 1/2 of the extra width from each side. If it's smaller than that, you can cut it all from one side.

Using blinds will almost always make a room look bigger than it would do with curtains, both because curtains protrude into the room more and have a fussier appearance than blinds, and they generally cover more of the walls around the window too.

This often happens with dust and debris buildup, so look up and check to make sure the blinds can move properly along the runner. You'll also want to check the runner itself. A frayed section leads to the pulley getting caught, which prevents it from sliding open and closed.

There are a few things you can do to try and fix your cordless blinds when they stop going down, such as: Check the batteries in the remote control. Make sure there is no debris or obstructions in the way of the blinds and the track. Reset the motor by pulling the shade down and out at a 45-degree angle.

No, people outside would not be able to see anything of inside, not even movement close to the window, nor the shapes and outlines of things. They would, however, be able to see a diffuse glow of light if you have a reasonably bright light not too far from the window.

To keep it short, the answer is no, absolutely not! There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to styling your own home. That being said, however, you can never underestimate the appeal of cohesion! Here's what to consider when coordinating blinds in the home.

For privacy, angle the vanes of these blinds at about 45 degrees or less, so if you are on one side of the blinds, you won't be seen. But know that when you walk past the window, you are visible to the outside. This allows you a bit more than partial privacy with Graber Vertical Blinds, while also lighting your room.

Use a metal hacksaw to cut the main bar, then here's my tip. I use tin snips like giant scissors to cut the first 5-10 or so slats (a little dependent on how deep your window reveal is)when the blind is not hung.

What tool do you use to cut blinds? ›

Cut the blind slats and bottom rail using a circular saw or table saw. For plastic blinds, you might even be able to use a powerful set of sheers. Confirm that all slats, the headrail, and the bottom rail are cut at the same length.

If you want to know how to lower cordless blinds, all you need to do is pull down on the bottom rail of the blinds. Conversely, to raise cordless blinds, simply place your hand under the bottom rail and gently raise it up.

Horizontal blinds purchased from a home improvement store can easily be shortened once installed and are a more cost-effective alternative to custom, professionally installed blinds. Once you have properly measured the window, horizontal blinds can be purchased in a variety of sizes and the width can be cut to order.