Installing roller blinds inside a mount involves securing the brackets within the window recess and then attaching the blind mechanism. This method creates a clean, integrated look, often making the window appear larger.
How to Install Roller Blinds Inside a Mount
Installing roller blinds inside a window frame, also known as an "inside mount," provides a sleek and unobtrusive finish. The process primarily focuses on accurately positioning and securing the mounting brackets.
Essential Tools and Materials
Before you begin, gather the necessary items to ensure a smooth installation:
- Roller Blind Kit: Includes the blind, brackets, and screws.
- Tape Measure: For precise measurements.
- Pencil: For marking bracket positions.
- Spirit Level: To ensure brackets are perfectly level.
- Drill: With appropriate drill bits for pilot holes (if needed).
- Screwdriver: To secure the brackets (or a drill with a screwdriver bit).
- Safety Glasses: Always recommended when drilling.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Follow these steps to correctly install your roller blinds with an inside mount:
1. Unpack and Inspect
Carefully unbox your roller blind kit. Check that all components are present and undamaged. Familiarize yourself with the brackets and the blind's headrail mechanism.
2. Measure and Mark Bracket Positions
Accurate measurement is crucial for an inside mount.
- Determine Placement: Decide whether your brackets will be mounted to the top of the window recess or to the side jambs. For most roller blinds, mounting to the top of the recess is standard for inside mounts.
- Measure Blind Width: Measure the exact width of your roller blind's headrail. This will help determine the precise spacing for your brackets.
- Mark First Bracket: Hold one bracket in the desired position inside the window recess. Ensure it's flush with the surface. Use your pencil to mark the screw holes.
- Mark Second Bracket: Measure from the first marked bracket position to find where the second bracket should be placed. This measurement should allow the roller blind's headrail to fit snugly between them, with a small tolerance for easy installation. Use your spirit level to ensure the second bracket's marked position is perfectly level with the first.
- Check Clearance: Before drilling, ensure there's enough depth in the window recess for the blind to operate without hitting the window frame or glass.
3. Install the Mounting Brackets
This is a critical step, requiring precision and care.
- Drill Pilot Holes: For a secure hold and to prevent wood from splitting, drill pilot holes at your marked spots. The drill bit size should be slightly smaller than the screw's diameter.
- Secure the First Bracket: Align the first bracket with the pilot holes. Using your 25mm screws, begin to fasten the bracket. Install the screws slowly and carefully to ensure a firm and stable attachment without damaging the window frame.
- Secure the Second Bracket: Repeat the process for the second bracket. Align it with its pilot holes, ensuring it remains level with the first. Simply repeat the process on the other side, taking your time as you secure the final bracket. This slow and steady approach ensures a strong and perfectly aligned installation.
- Confirm Alignment: Once both brackets are mounted, double-check their alignment with your spirit level. Misaligned brackets can cause the blind to operate poorly or appear crooked.
4. Mount the Roller Blind
With the brackets securely in place, it's time to install the blind itself.
- Orient the Blind: Ensure the blind is oriented correctly (fabric rolling over the top or under, depending on your preference and installation type).
- Insert into Brackets: Typically, one end of the roller blind's headrail (often the pin end) slots into a round hole or pin receptor on one bracket, while the other end (the control mechanism) clicks into the other bracket. Follow your specific blind's instructions for this step. You might need to push the pin end in and then gently lift and guide the control end into its slot until it clicks securely.
5. Test Operation
Once the blind is mounted, test its functionality.
- Roll Up and Down: Operate the blind several times to ensure it rolls up and down smoothly without catching or binding.
- Check for Level: Stand back and observe if the blind hangs straight and level. If it appears uneven, you might need to make minor adjustments to the bracket installation, though a careful initial installation should prevent this.
By following these steps, you can successfully install your roller blinds inside a mount, achieving a neat and functional window treatment. For more detailed guides on various types of blinds, you can explore resources on window blind installation techniques or choosing the right window treatments.
