Fitting blinds to an opening is an exacting procedure, and to ensure proper fitting, exact measurements must be obtained. Failure to obtain exact measurements is the most common form of problem relating to blinds.
Appropriate tools should be used for this process. A good quality steel tape measure would be a minimum requirement. Measuring poles / sticks are also a good tool to carry, and laser measures also have their place in the industry. When purchasing these tools remember that you get what you pay for, and although they may cost quite a bit for the initial outlay, a mistake due to a miss-measure will cost you a lot more. These are the basic tools of the trade; you would not expect a chef to go to work without his knife or a carpenter without a handsaw!
Before measuring it is important to discuss with the customer the details of the application type, as this will dictate the measurements taken.
Please note: all measurements must be supplied in millimetres (mm).
Venetians
Reveal :
- Always measure from left to right of the building or room.
- Measure width at the top, middle and bottom of the opening.
- Measure the drop on the left, middle and the right side.
- Take the narrowest width and the longest drop.
- Check control sides.
- Check and measure for any cut out (skirting boards, tiles).
- Draw picture of all cut outs.
- For “U” and “L” shaped windows – measure the depth of the reveal, clearing the handles, burglar bars etc. See diagram “A”.
A 10mm deduction should be made on the width of the blind.
Face Fix :
Measure opening and add 50 – 100mm on each side of the overlap (sides, top and bottom).
Verticals
Reveal :
- Always measure from left to right of a building or room.
- Measure width at the top where the head rail fits.
- Measure the drop on the left, middle and right side.
- Take the shortest measurement
- Check the depth of the reveal
– 127mm – reveal must be min. 90mm.
– 90mm – reveal must be min. 70mm.
- If the reveal is narrow or there are curtains, suggest 90mm blinds.
- Extension brackets for narrow reveals are available.
A 10mm deduction should be made on the width and the drop.
Face fix :
- Fitted over windows with a narrow reveal.
- 100 – 150mm overlap should be left over each side, top and bottom.
- No deductions need to be made.
Rollers :
- NO CUT OUTS are made on rollers.
- Measurements in the reveal are shown as “pin to pin” sizes.
- Measurements on the face of the opening need to be shown as “pin to pin” size or “fabric size”.
- Should there be two blinds in one window, a centre bracket can be requested to reduce the gap between the two blinds.
- A 10mm deduction should be made on the width.
Guide on Installation of Blinds
Venetian Blinds
Measure 190mm on each side of the reveal inwards and 30 – 40mm from the window frame, burglar bars or window handle. Space the other brackets evenly between these marks, careful not to place one over the tape roll of the venetian. Drill the holes and fix the brackets to the reveal leaving them slightly loose and in the position with the small lip of the bracket facing you. Hold the venetian snugly against the brackets and swivel them to your left, clipping the venetian in place. Check the operation of the venetian.
Figure A: Bay and ‘U’ shaped windows
Allow space at the back of the head rail for the vertical vanes to turn.
Vertical
- 127mm = 95mm
- 90mm = 75mm
- Venetian-40mm
Distance from window to head rail
Vertical
- 127mm = 55mm
- 90mm = 35mm
- Venetian-10mm
Vertical Blinds
In the reveal – measure 150mm from each side of the reveal and either 55mm (for 90mm blinds) or 75mm (for 127mm blinds) from the window frame, burglar bars or the window handle for the outer brackets. Space the other brackets evenly between these two brackets and mark the holes keeping the same distance from the window frame, etc. Drill holes and screw brackets into wall. Clip the track onto the brackets making sure that the controls are on the desired side. Clip vanes into track and check operation. Should you be unable to insert brackets far enough from the window frame then you may need to use extension brackets available as an optional extra.
Face fix – fix vertical brackets to the “L” brackets provided. Space the brackets evenly on the width of the rail starting from 150mm from the edges. Mark the wall at the height required and at the spacing of the brackets. Drill the holes and fix the brackets. Centralize the track and attach to the brackets. Clip on the vanes and check the operation.
Aluminium blinds installed near the sea should be cleaned regularly to remove salt deposites.
- Silver, Gold, Pure aluminium, hammer colours should not be used in damp areas or close to the sea, and are not covered by the Warranty.
- Head and bottom rails as well as slats are made from aluminium and may oxidize near the sea if not regularly maintained.
- All components are made from PVC, stainless steel and brass.
- Cords, Tapes, Head and Bottom rails are colour coded.