How to fit roman blinds
At the measuring stage you will have already planned to fit inside or outside of the window recess. There are some differences and considerations between the two styles of installation which are detailed below.
Child safety
The fitting height will have determined which of two child safety devices apply to your blind. The two versions are either a chain restraint that fits to the wall or a breakaway cog at the headrail.
If you are installing your blind at 3 meters or more above floor level, your blind will be supplied with a chain restraint that you must install to comply with Child Safety Regulations. The retainer should be fitted to the wall so that the chain can still move freely to raise and lower the blind, but also tight enough to keep them taut. Keep the chains vertical for smooth operation.
At fitting heights lower than 3mtrs the safety device is a breakaway cog that pulls away from the headrail when an excessive force is detected, releasing the chain. This removes the need to fit a chain retainer.
Should the cog break free from the headrail then follow these instructions:
- Wrap the chain back around the cog.
- Make sure that the small metal stud on the cog is facing to the end of the blind.
- Insert the chain and cog back into the headrail with firm and even pressure until it snaps into place, the blind will then operate normally.
Fitting the brackets – inside the recess
The brackets are attached to the headrail on delivery which is helpful for understanding how they attach.
To remove the brackets, when looking at the front of the headrail, slide the lever arm from left to right and then unclip.
It’s recommended that you familiarise yourself at this stage as to how they attach and detach, so that you gain useful experience ready for when you are holding the weight of the blind up in the moment of installation.
Next find a position for the brackets to be screwed to the underneath or ‘ceiling’ of the recess. The brackets can also be face fixed. This is easier if the face is wood and the top is plaster.
Plan for the best front to back position paying attention to window handles and stays.
Ensure that you have placed the brackets so that the blind can unfurl unobstructed.
Please ensure that the 2 outermost brackets are 5-6cm away from each end of the rail, with all other brackets evenly distributed. Once you have planned the positions draw a perfectly straight drilling guide-line to help you install the brackets so that they will perfectly align - otherwise the headrail will be difficult to fit.
When screwing the brackets in place, use the holes in the top of the bracket to fix to the underneath of the recess or the holes in the back of the bracket if face fixing.
Make sure that the lever arms are open ready for the next stage.
With the brackets in place, and the lever arm open, you can offer up the blind to install.
As you engage the headrail with the brackets have the headrail slightly tilted in a way so that the front of the headrail is higher than the back and lift the headrail over the two lugs that point forward so that they go inside the headrail.
Now push the headrail up and level, making good contact with the underside of the bracket, and move the levers from right to left to lock the cam inside the headrail.
If the mounting height of your blind is less than 3 meters, this completes the installation and your blind is ready for use.
The Child Safety mechanism in this headrail is the breakaway cog referred to above and you may wish to retain these instructions for future reference.
If the mounting height is 3 meters or higher, you will need to attach the chain retainer to the wall in accordance with the Child Safety section above. This retainer is supplied instead of the breakaway cog.
Fitting the brackets – outside the recess
The brackets are attached to the headrail on delivery which is helpful for understanding how they attach.
To remove the brackets, when looking at the front of the headrail, slide the lever arm from left to right and then unclip.
It’s recommended that you familiarise yourself at this stage as to how they attach and detach, so that you gain useful experience ready for when you are holding the weight of the blind up in the moment of installation.
Refer to the planned for position of the blind and mark out the position of the brackets.
Please ensure that the 2 outermost brackets are 5-6cm away from each end of the rail, with all other brackets evenly distributed. Once you have planned the fixing positions draw a dead straight drilling guide line to help you install the brackets so that they will perfectly align - otherwise the headrail will be difficult to fit.
When screwing the brackets in place, use the holes in the back of the bracket to fix to the surface.
Make sure that the lever arms are open ready for the next stage.
With the brackets in place, and the lever arm open, you can offer up the blind to install.
As you engage the headrail with the brackets have the headrail slightly tilted in a way so that the front of the headrail is higher than the back and lift the headrail over the two lugs that point forward so that they go inside the headrail.
Now push the headrail up and level, making good contact with the underside of the bracket, and move the levers from right to left to lock the cam inside the headrail.
If the mounting height of your blind is less than 3 meters this completes the installation and your blind is ready for use.
The Child Safety mechanism in this headrail is the breakaway cog referred to above and you may wish to retain these instructions for future reference, also this guide is also available on our website.
If the mounting height is 3meters or higher you will need to attach the chain retainer to the wall in accordance with the Child Safety section above. This retainer is supplied instead of the breakaway cog.
Warning: Child Safety
Young children can be strangled by loops in pull cords, chains, tapes and inner cords that operate the product.
To avoid strangulation and entanglement, keep cords out of reach of children.
Cords may become wrapped around a child’s neck.
Move beds, cots and furniture away from window cords.
Do not tie cords together.
Make sure cords do not twist and create a loop.
If your product is supplied with a chain retaining device, you must install it.
