Installing Horizontal Blinds: How To

Horizontal blinds with variable-pitch slats regulate light levels, ranging from gentle filtering to near darkness. Slats are made of aluminum, vinyl, PVC, or wood and come in many widths. Micro blinds average just 1⁄2 inch, minis about 1 inch, and standard-width slats 2 inches. Some blinds fold into compact stacking height—just 3 inches or so for a 6-foot blind. Wood blinds have a handsome, substantial look and provide a warm glow as outdoor light passes through them. But 6-foot wood blinds may have a stacking height of 8 inches or more. The longer the blinds are, the heavier they get and the more difficult to raise and lower. Consider installing several narrower blinds rather than one large one.

Blinds are installed two basic ways: mounted inside or outside the window opening. An outside mount makes the window look large because the stack goes above the window. A valance mounted on the wall can conceal the raised slats. Inside-mount blinds look trim. Because they don’t overlap the window opening, they admit more light around the edges. Careful measurement is important to ensure that they’ll fit the space.

Step One

Trend trackers and décor experts agree that giving your interior windows an update can offer your whole home a finished look. With bold and saturated colors in paint and furnishings and accessories making a strong comeback, new window treatment designs are right in step.

At Levolor Window Fashions, for example, some of the latest innovations are as much about lifestyle as they are about stylish choices. “Research indicates that fabric is No. 1 in importance to the consumer,” says Bryan Nicklas, director of marketing at Levolor. The company has recently announced its new luxury line of Roman shades featuring on-trend patterns and stripes, resulting in 90 color choices to complement a variety of home décor tastes. And because color is back, the company has taken a universal approach across all décor styles and collections to make it easier to coordinate its products.

Window on Your World

Beyond fabric comes practicality. Levolor’s Natural Shades collection and Hunter Douglas’s Style & Design collection offer updated styles that blend natural elements like reeds and bamboo, and soft fabrics such as jute and other textiles. And as many of us live in close urban and suburban quarters, privacy as well as insulation from heat, cold and noise are also a priorities.

Window Shopping

Ask yourself a few questions before you shop for window treatments: How are you using the room? Is it a children’s playroom? Is it a media room or bedroom? What’s your décor style? Do you value privacy? Also, do you have any special needs? For example, for the bathroom, faux wood is recommended for its tolerance of high humidity. Custom-cut vinyl blinds from Bali Today are perfect for this application. And for children and asthma/respiratory sufferers, there’s also help. Window treatments such as Levolor’s Cellular shades are protected by the company’s exclusive DustGuard treatment and can cut up to 50% of airborn dust.

Once you’ve established your needs, here’s a short list of window treatment news, courtesy of the experts at Levolor:

• Look for window treatments that offer light-blocking and light-filtering choices, with colored liners for a cohesive look.
• Day/Night operation in window treatments provide another smart innovation which can provide optimum light control for darker bedrooms or media rooms.
• Cordless models offer a cleaner, more streamlined look, and optimize safety for families with young children.
• Top down/bottom up shades allow you to customize for privacy, providing the option of pulling the shade up or putting it down, so that light can come in without exposing your interiors to the world.
• Design details: With open concept homes gaining in popularity, the need to coordinate finishes and colors has increased. Perceptions, a softer vertical shade line, works perfectly for a sliding door and can be coordinated with Roman shades for your kitchen windows.

So don’t neglect your windows, because we all love a room with a view.

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Wood Blinds

Wood blinds bring a rich, warm look and natural beauty to any room. Like wood shutters, they enhance a room with their fine, furniture-like quality, but they’re less expensive than shutters. Wood blinds are versatile, too. They can be painted or stained to complement your décor. They’re ideal for family rooms, dens, living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.

Besides looking great, wood blinds are an excellent way to manage light. You can angle the slats to direct light straight into a room, bounce light off the ceiling or reflect it back outside. Or you can darken a room by closing wood blinds to block light. Wood blinds also offer a high degree of privacy, and they help insulate your room for greater energy efficiency.

At The Home Depot, you’ll find a wide selection of painted and stained blinds, including the distinctive look of knotty pine, cherry or other wood species.

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Vertical Blinds

For an unusual and attractive window treatment, consider vertical blinds. These striking window treatments, in which vanes hang from top to bottom, are perfect for large floor-to-ceiling windows, bay windows and sliding glass or patio doors. Because they seem to stretch skyward, they create a sense of height in a room.

Vertical blinds are a contemporary alternative to drapes. They’re ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, family rooms and dens. They come in hundreds of styles and colors for a variety of decorating options. Choose fabric blinds that complement your décor or vinyl blinds in a smooth, embossed or textured finish.

Vertical blinds offer you many excellent ways to control light. The vanes pivot open and closed to let light in or shut it out. Or you can draw the vanes to one side of the window, as you would with drapes, to let in lots of light. Vertical blinds can open from the left or right side or from the middle.

Fabric vanes can be free-hanging panels, or they can be inserted into vinyl groovers. Vertical blinds need less cleaning than horizontal blinds because gravity reduces the build up of dust.

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Faux Wood Blinds

Faux wood blinds combine the attractive look of wood with the toughness and affordability of vinyl. They’re a smart alternative to real wood blinds – they won’t warp, split, chip or fade. You’ll find such durability important if your blinds will be exposed to strong sunlight, temperature extremes or the high humidity often found in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, sunrooms and spas. Because they are washable and flame-resistant, these blinds also work well in playrooms.

Faux wood blinds are a practical option for controlling light and maintaining privacy. You can angle the slats to direct light straight into a room, bounce light off the ceiling or reflect it back outside. You can also darken a room by closing the blinds. Use faux wood blinds alone, or pair them with drapery.

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While summertime may conjure up images of picnics, days at the beach and beautiful sunsets, it also means contending with the heat. Fortunately, there are ways to keep cool and combat the effects of the hot summer sun on your living room, bedroom, dining room and more. Window film is a microthin layer of polyester or vinyl film applied directly to the glass that provides an economical way to reduce glare, minimize energy bills enhance privacy, or add a decorative touch to your windows. While professional installation might be available in your area, installing window film is certainly a project that is easy enough for any motivated do-it-yourselfer who’s willing to invest a little care and patience. Before you get started, consider the following questions:

• What advantages does window film offer?
• How does it enhance energy efficiency?
• What types of film are available?
• What do you need to do to ensure proper application?
• Are there any special features that are important to you?

Benefits, Film Types and Application Considerations

Depending on the climate where you live, the directional orientation of the window you’re applying film to and the type of film you choose, the potential benefits of window film are numerous. Because different types of film offer different benefits, it’s important to determine what your primary goal is. Installation can be a simple task, with the right tools. Also, having a partner is immensely helpful, particularly when it comes to separating the film from its backing. If you’ve ever done any wallpapering before, you may find some similarities between the two tasks.

Benefits: Most older or inexpensive windows aren’t very efficient when it comes to blocking heat or UV rays. As a result, you may find that your furniture fades prematurely, your living room is uncomfortable and your air conditioning bill is skyrocketing. Window film can help with these issues and more. One of the benefits of window film is that it blocks radiant heat flow, keeping hot air out in the summer making it easier for your air conditioner to do its job. In addition to regulating temperatures and promoting greater comfort, this helps lower energy bills. Warranties, proper care, and the conditions in the room, vary, but it’s very likely that window film will pay for itself within a few years as a result of the money you’ll save. Film can also be used to enhance a room’s appearance with a decorative element.

• Film blocks UV rays to help prevent fading of furniture and carpeting
• Choose a darker film that’s hard to see through from the outside if you’re concerned about privacy
• Film helps keep cold air out and warm air in during the winter to further reduce heating costs
• Security film imbues windows with greater strength to help prevent shattering

Types: Window films are available in a number of types, each of which is designed to provide different benefits. Some types are specifically designed to block UV rays and keep out heat. Others are designed to tint windows for privacy or enhance a window’s strength to prevent it from being easily destroyed by a loose baseball or flying debris during a strong storm. The chart below details some common types of window film as well as a few points of consideration for each.

Application Considerations and Tips: Make sure the film you choose can safely be applied to the surface you plan to use it on. There are certain situations in which you should avoid using window film. Do not apply film to large single-pane windows that exceed 100 square feet in area or to clear glass thicker than 3/8″. Most films are designed for use with single- or double-paned glass, though some types can be used on Plexiglas or other materials. To apply the film, you’ll need a spray bottle filled with a soapy solution. Apply it liberally to both the window and the film. Stick the film to the window and then trim around the border, leaving about 1/16″ between the film and the window frame. This space is necessary to allow glass to expand and contract with temperature changes. Use a squeegee to smooth out any bubbles once the film is applied. Then, simply let it dry and set. Cleaning is an important part of making sure window film retains its effectiveness over time. While most film is scratch-resistant, it is not scratch-proof. Use only a soft cloth and nonabrasive cleaning solution, and be sure to consult the manufacturer’s care instructions.

• Application is usually quick, but it may take a few days for film to fully cure
• Do not apply film to glass that is cracked or otherwise damaged
• Thoroughly clean window before applying film and use a razor blade to clean off any sticky or hard-to-remove substances
• Apply film to the inside surface of a window (i.e., the side that faces into your house)
• Install film when window is cool but not when the temperature may drop below freezing within three days of application
• Scratches can cause film to lose effectiveness more quickly

Features

Multisurface Adhesion: If you need to apply film to a window that’s made of something other than glass, make sure that the film you purchase is designed for application to different kinds of materials.

Curved Surfaces: Some films are designed for applying to curved surfaces, a quality that you’ll need if you’re using it on a rounded or concave window.

Warranty: The longer a film’s warranty, the better the chance that it will continue to perform at a high level for an extended period of time. Look for film that’s warranted against bubbling, cracking and fading for maximum performance.

Removable/Reusable: Film that can be removed and reused can come in handy if you live in a climate that experiences mild winters that don’t require as much protection as the hot summers. However, most films provide protection all year and should be left up through the seasons. This feature is also available for many decorative films.

Edging Tool: A special edging tool, used in concert with a sharp utility knife, will make it much easier to make cuts around the border of the film.

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Wallpaper is a popular choice for home decoration, with a wide selection of available colors, textures and patterns. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of options with popular designs in easy-to-care-for vinyl-coated paper to designer styles in unique materials, including fabrics and delicate papers. With a little planning, practice and a bit of patience you can create the room you’ve always wanted. A number of factors will make your wallpapering project go as smoothly as possible, so consider these questions before you buy:

• What type of wallpaper will produce the look you want?
• Should you use prepasted or nonpasted wallpaper?
• Which pattern will best complement the room?
• Do you need wallpaper that is stain resistant or washable?
• How much wallpaper do you need?

Size, Type and Design Tips

Wallpaper can be made from a variety of materials, including paper, fabric and substances such as glass, sand and even natural fibers like grass or bamboo. Foil accents and embossed patterns add extra dimension and texture and enhance the overall design of any room. The most popular wallpapers are pre-pasted vinyl and vinyl-coated papers, which offer effortless application, are resistant to tears, can be adjusted before the paper hardens and are easy to clean and care for.

Sizes: Wallpaper comes in a wide range of lengths and widths. How much you need will depend on the square footage of the space you are wallpapering. Borders are much narrower and vary in size depending on the design. They can be used to complement a wallpapering project or on their own to add a decorative accent to a painted room.

• Wallpaper is usually priced as a single roll but comes packaged as a double or even triple roll to provide ample coverage
• Before shopping, measure the surface area of the space you intend to cover
• Consult with a salesperson to determine if you are purchasing enough materials

Types: Wallpaper can help you create themed rooms, add subtle accents or cover up imperfections and allow you to produce patterns and effects that are impossible to achieve with paint. With one simple roll, you can add an intricate design or infuse any room with simple style. Most wallpaper is pre-pasted for trouble-free application. Some wallpaper, such as those made from luxurious fabrics and natural fiber, are not pre-pasted and require special glue that must be applied to the paper or the wall beforehand. Spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens or children’s bedrooms are more prone to messes and stains. In these areas, consider choosing wallpaper that is washable or scrubbable.

• Pre-pasted wallpaper has an adhesive already applied for easy hanging
• Dry back wallpaper requires the use of a separate paste for application
• Strippable and peelable wallpaper can be removed easily for frequent redecorating

Design: With so many available choices, selecting wallpaper can seem like a daunting task, but it needn’t be if you keep a few general rules in mind. Be sure to use colors and patterns that complement the shape, size and décor of a room. Also, remember that larger patterns can require the purchase of additional rolls to match up properly.

Checking the Dye Lot: There are a number of ways to make sure you get the desired look from your wallpaper. One key thing to remember when buying is to make sure each roll is from the same dye lot. This number is also called the batch or run number. It ensures that rolls bearing the same number were made from the same batch for a correct color match every time. Mixing wallpaper from other lot numbers may result in visible irregularities as the ink colors may vary slightly.

Features

Scrubbable: Scrubbable wallpaper withstands more thorough scrubbing with a brush and mild detergent to get out stains when needed.

Washable: Certain papers with acrylic coatings are washable. This means that you can use a sponge to give them a light cleaning as needed.

Texture and Embossing: When you want to give your room a more tactile dimension, choose wallpaper with interesting texture and embossed elements. Some wallpaper can mimic materials such as leather or tin ceilings for more interesting and eclectic effects.

Coordinating Borders: Most wallpaper is designed to work with a complementary border for a complete look. Use the manufacturer’s suggested selections or mix and match your own to create a custom style.

Faux Surfaces and Landscapes: Replicate the look of a log cabin in your living room or install an intergalactic landscape in your bedroom with specialized wallpaper designed to create certain effects. These types of wallpaper are especially useful in creating specialty or themed rooms, such as a child’s bedroom or a game room.

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When adding new drapes or curtains to your home, you’ll want to be sure and take some time to consider what type of hardware will be used to display them. Thanks to a wide range of available options, you can choose anywhere from simple, functional items to more elaborate, detailed pieces designed to complement and enhance your window treatments. You’ll find rods, finials, brackets, rings and more in a number of different styles, ranging from contemporary to traditional. Drapery hardware can be constructed from a diverse range of materials, including wood, plastics and metal, and are available in a variety of colors. As you shop for the right drapery hardware for your installation, consider the following questions and find your ideal balance between functionality and flair:

• Which hardware items are primarily functional?
• Which items are used for decorative purposes?
• What type of rod is best suited to your installation?
• What materials can different types of hardware be made from?
• Are there any special features that are important to you?

Function, Style and Accessories

The vast array of available drapery hardware can be a little overwhelming, so it’s important to narrow your search. Determine beforehand what kind of theme or overall look you’re trying to achieve. Some drapery hardware is well suited for contemporary designs while other types will be more at home amongst traditional or rustic décor. Hardware can be hidden from view to provide a greater focus on curtains or placed ostentatiously out in the open to serve as a counterpoint. Curtain rods are the single largest piece of hardware and the rod you choose will help determine subsequent purchases of end caps, brackets, rings, tiebacks and more.

Functional vs. Decorative: While some drapery components provide an equal mix of practicality and style, there are several pieces of hardware that primarily exhibit one quality or the other. Functional hardware is comprised of necessary, no-frills pieces needed for hanging and operating window treatments. Decorative pieces, on the other hand, are designed to be seen and appreciated. They can be used as subtle accents or as a dominate element in the rooms overall décor. Regardless of whether they are solely functional or serve a decorative purpose as well, all window treatments will require a rod, brackets and some sort of end caps or finials.

• Functional hardware is often concealed by fabrics and fixtures
• Functional pieces include white metal curtain rods, curtain hooks, traverse rods and more
• Decorative pieces dress up and add style to basic window treatment elements
• Decorative hardware examples include tassels, sconces, tiebacks, finials and more

Curtain Rods: Rods, also called poles, are the largest piece of hardware you’ll need to install and the central piece around which other hardware components are selected. They serve as the main support for your window treatment. Curtains may be attached to rings or sliders that allow them to move back and forth along the rod or shirred in place on windows where you don’t want the curtains to open. There are many different styles available, ranging from slender concealed rods to thicker, more prominent decorative rods. Thicker rods tend to create more of a visual effect. If you have a tall wall and a comparatively short window, hang the rod closer to the ceiling to create the illusion of taller windows. Rods that are wider than windows can be used in a similar manner to expand the appearance of width. Consult the chart below to learn more about some of the more commonly used rods.

Finials, Brackets and Sconces: Once you’ve selected your curtains and your rod, it’s time to fill out the rest of the picture. Finials and end caps offer a tremendous array of styles for maximum decorative versatility. Finials are designed to provide an elegant flourish for all types of treatments. They may be made from various metals, wood, ceramic, glass, molded resin, rattan and more. Brackets are used to support the rod. Some utilitarian brackets are simple pieces designed solely to secure the rod to the wall while other, more elaborate brackets feature ornate designs. Sconces are decorative brackets through which fabric may be threaded. Choose finials and brackets made from different materials as the curtain rod to create visual contrast.

• Finials and end caps are usually the most visible type of drapery hardware
• End caps offer a simple look and don’t call attention to themselves
• Finial shapes include spears, arrows, balls, leaves, stars, flowers, scrolls and more
• Brackets made from the same materials as finials complement each other
• Sconce designs include animals, grape clusters, flowers, leaves and more

Rings and Accessories: Many hardware accessories are designed to provide stylish accents that complete the look of your window treatments. Tiebacks are used to hold draperies off to the sides of a window and can be simple fabric strips or elaborate bows. Holdbacks offer the same functionality as tiebacks, but consist of rigid, decorative materials that are secured to a wall and provide a holder for keeping drapes and curtains in an open position. Rings, clips, hooks and pulls connect drapes and curtains to the rod and may be either hidden or visible. Styles range from simple, unadorned wrought iron rings to clips with decorative leaves, stars and more. Drapery jewelry can take a number of different forms, such as covered buttons.

• Holdbacks come in a wide range of styles that can be matched to your environment
• Decorative cords and tassels are often used to spruce up standard pull cords
• Hidden rings are simple, functional elements that do not serve a decorative purpose

Features

Hinged Rods: For a completely different look, install a hinged rod. These units allow you to swing curtains back and forth, covering the window when you want it covered and keeping the curtain in another spot when you don’t. Make sure you install it in an area where the curtain provides some decorative value when not covering the window.

Pole Sets: For one-stop shopping, look for a pole set. These kits contain all the pieces you’ll need for your assembly, including an adjustable-length pole, finials and decorative brackets.

Motorized Rods: If you’re looking for a truly modern window treatment, install a motorized rod, which will allow you to open and close the curtains at the flip of a switch or the touch of a button.

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