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Property/DIY

Has anyone put up their blinds themselves?

13 replies

whataboutbob · 13/09/2020 10:51

I have ordered made to measure blinds for the kitchen. Can I aim to put them up or should I hire a tradesman? I have DHs tools for the job but unfortunately he won’t be around to do it himself.

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WaxOnFeckOff · 13/09/2020 11:04

We put all ours up. I'm sure I'm perfectly capable but I did leave it all to DH and DS as I do most other things. The instructions are usually pretty straight forward, the difficult but is establishing what material you are drilling into as I think virtually all of ours has a mixture of plaster, wood or brick.

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Mutunus · 13/09/2020 12:24

If you've never done anything like this before then perhaps get a friend with a bit of experience to help you. At least you'll have someone to help hold up the blind.

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madcatladyforever · 13/09/2020 12:29

Yeah, hit a lintel and accidentally made a 6 inch drill hole when all the plaster fell out.
I'm normally quite good at DIY.

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user165423256322 · 13/09/2020 12:37

Yes, it's really not that difficult. Look on YouTube.

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PlanDeRaccordement · 13/09/2020 12:40

Yes. It’s not hard with the right tools. I agree, try YouTube. There are many helpful how to videos on there. Or, call a friend who has done it before. A friend just taught me how to lay a stone fireplace hearth with lime mortar for example. She’s going to show me brick laying next year because she has to repair her garden wall.

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Seeingadistance · 13/09/2020 13:05

Yes.

It’s usually pretty straightforward. Measure carefully before you drill, and use a spirit level to make sure it’s straight.

As pps have said, most likely problem is hitting something unexpected when you start drilling.

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kizkiz · 13/09/2020 17:15

Or do what we did with a recessed window. My dw measured a little too exactly. Blinds were the exact width of the window to the millimetre. I just bashed it in with a rubber mallet. No drilling. No fixings. It's as solid as anything. Lol

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BeingATwatItsABingThing · 13/09/2020 17:18

My DH put up all of the blinds in our house. I probably could have done it if I had any inclination to try.

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TheHighestSardine · 13/09/2020 17:42

Yes, it should be easy. If you're inexperienced at drilling walls, find a plastered wall somewhere unobtrusive to practice first - cupboard under the stairs or garage or something. It's easy once you've done a couple of holes, so it's best if those first couple of holes aren't where you need them to be done perfectly!

Mark the locations with pencil through the holes in the mount brackets. Use a smaller drill bit than needed for the first inch because it's easier to get it to go in exactly the right place with a smaller bit, then go in again with the right size bit to drill as deep as the plastic rawlplug is long. That's it really, repeat until done.

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Murmurur · 13/09/2020 20:25

Very doable if you can side mount them. If they need to be mounted into the "ceiling" of a recess, the lintel is a PITA.

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nancyjuice7 · 13/09/2020 20:45

I put all our blinds up, Roman style. From blinds2go I think.

Easy, made a few mistakes but started in the back bedroom so by time downstairs I was a pro

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mumwon · 13/09/2020 21:17

look up youtube :)

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whataboutbob · 15/09/2020 21:25

Thanks everyone for your advice. Obviously I have checked YouTube, but it’s always good to get “ real” peoples views Smile. @kizkiz I’m hoping I didn’t measure too exactly! @Murmurur I believe they can be side mounted. @PlanDeRaccordement it is satisfying to master a new DIY skill which is why I’m hoping to do it myself. Have ordered made to measure but they won’t be here till the end of the month so that gives me plent y of time to watch more YouTube videos. Thanks again all.

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