About Bamboo Blinds

Many people when faced with the task of installing bamboo blinds become unsure of their abilities. This bamboo blinds how to guide is designed to give you peace of mind and will save you hundreds of dollars in install costs. Bamboo blinds are one of the easiest styles of wood blinds to measure and install. This guide will teach you how to measure for you new bamboo blinds.

How to Measure Bamboo Blinds
The first choice you have to make is whether you will install your new blinds on the inside or the outside of the window frame. If you have a small window that you want to look bigger you will perform an outside mount, if you want your large window to look smaller then you will perform an inside mount. It is very important that you decide prior to ordering for your new bamboo blinds or heading off the your local home improvement store.

Inside Mount:
You will start at the top of the window by measuring the inside of the frame horizontally. Do not allow for room on either side for the blinds, you want the exact distance from left to right. The manufacturer has already accounted for this by about a half an inch. The measurement on the box is the size of the window frame not the blinds. If ordering custom bamboo blinds specify the width of the window frame to the manufacturer and they will cut them accordingly. Also specify the length of the window frame from top down to the bottom of the window seal.

Outside Mount:
When installing blinds on the outside of the window frame you have more room for error. You will want to allow for about two to four inches on either side, depending on the size of the window. If buying precut blinds understand that the horizontal measurement on the box is about a half an inch larger than the actual blind width. Knowing this little tip will save you time and frustration. Custom bamboo blinds will give you the luxury of getting the perfect fit, horizontally and vertically.

Roll-Up Blinds vs. Roman Slat Blinds
When purchasing pre-cut blinds you will also want to consider your style choice by ease of adjusting the vertical length. Roll-up bamboo blinds are not adjustable. Whatever the length on the box is the length you will be installing, always error on the side of too long as opposed to too short. Roman style bamboo blinds can be adjusted with little difficulty and will give you that “exact fit”. This option is much cheaper than custom blinds and will work well on most normal sized windows.
Take your measurements, choose your style and start browsing!

Your new bamboo blinds have just arrived and you can’t wait to see how they look on your windows. Let’s get started on how to install bamboo blinds.

The Tools
You will be using basic household tools for the installation of your blinds. Start by getting a chair or stepstool, measuring tape, pencil, a cordless or electric drill, a philips and flat head screwdriver and safety goggle are always a great idea. Included in the bamboo blinds box will be the mounting brackets as well as the appropriate screws. At this point you will want to verify that all the parts are included in your bamboo blinds box. You will find a list of all these parts included, check each part off as you verify it. This simple task will save you a lot of aggravation if you are missing a bracket or a screw.

Remove Old Window Blinds
Many blinds will install exactly the same as the ones you will be replacing. Remove the window coverings from the brackets. Unscrew all brackets, being careful not to strip any holes as they can sometimes be reused.

Inside Mounted Bamboo Blinds
Using an inside mount for your new bamboo blinds will give you a cleaner look as well as make your widow appear smaller. You will start by holding the top of the blind just inside the top corners of the window frame. Center the blinds allowing an equal amount of space on each side, using your pencil make marks on the outside edge of he blinds. You will now make another mark about 1/8 inch outside the first mark. This is the line that you will use to install your brackets. Hold the brackets up to this second line and make a pencil mark where the screws will be placed, you will want to verify that both brackets are square with each other, equal distance from the window and the outside window frame. If you have existing holes in the vicinity you may use these without drilling new ones. Choose your drill bit depending on the size of screw you will be using and drill holes on the two pencil marks. Screw your brackets into place. Large bamboo blinds will require brackets in the center. Align these brackets, make pencil marks, verify that the location will not interfere with the movement of the blinds, drill holes and screw into place. Now that you have the brackets installed you can place your bamboo blinds into the brackets, secure them and your done.

Outside Mounted Bamboo Blinds
Outside mounts are easier than inside mounts and they will also make your windows look larger. You will want to start by centering the top of the blind above the window. Make pencil marks on each end, make another mark about an 1/8 of an inch out side the first mark. This will allow your blind to have room and keep them from being too tight. Hold the brackets up to these marks and make pencil hole where you will be inserting the screws. You will want to measure that the brackets are equal distance from the floor. Drill holes and screw the brackets into place. You may also need to install center brackets depending on the size of your bamboo blinds. Now that you have the brackets installed you can place your bamboo blinds into the brackets, secure them and your done.

Bonus Tip:
If you find that the screw holes are stripped you can repair them by using wood glue and a toothpick. Dip the toothpick in the glue, insert into hole and break off, depending on the size of the hole you may need to repeat a few times.