How to Install Cellular Shades
Installing Bali window treatments is easy. That’s because Bali designs all its blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery to be installed by their customers using just basic tools. And Bali Cellular Shades might just be the absolute easiest of all window treatments to install.
Properly installed window treatments work perfectly and provide excellent control of light and privacy. In this article, we’ll talk about installing cellular shades quickly and easily. You’ll learn about why preparing for your installation can be extremely helpful, and we’ll take you step by step through the installation process. Complete information on installing cellular shades or any window treatment is available at baliblinds.com.
Why Cellular Shades?
Before we talk about installing your shades, we’re going to look at why cellular shades are such a great way to cover your windows and reveal the reason why they do such a great job protecting against heat and cold.
Cellular shades have crisp, even pleats that look great on almost any window. Bali Cellular Shades are available in a broad range of fabrics, ranging from sheer to blackout. It’s easy to find a shade that perfectly matches your needs for privacy and light control.
But the real magic of a cellular shade is its power to insulate against heat, cold, and even sound. Cellular shades get that power from their three-dimensional structure. Viewed from the side, cellular fabrics look like a honeycomb. The shade is actually open tubes stacked one on top of the other creating a wall of insulation. For homeowners, that means more comfortable living spaces as well as lower heating and cooling costs.
The Tools You’ll Need for a Successful Installation
To install your cellular shade, you’ll need a few tools. Gather an electric drill with a 1/16-inch drill bit, a Phillips screwdriver, pencil, a tape measure, and a bubble level. Getting your tools together before you start can make the process go more smoothly and prevents having to leave the job partially done so you can hunt for a drill bit or other tool.
All the hardware and fasteners you’ll need to install your shades will be shipped to you with your shade.
It's Time to Install Your Shade
The steps to installing your cellular shade are straightforward and simple. But before we talk about installation, we should take a minute to talk about proper measuring. Before you order your shades from your retailer, you were required to provide several measurements to ensure your shades were built to fit your exact window. Measuring windows properly involves making three measurements of the length of the window (from top to bottom) and three measurements of the width. These measurements are generally taken at the left, middle, and right and the top, middle and bottom. Check out the videos and measurement guides at baliblinds.com to learn more.
Now we’re ready to install our shades. Start by holding your closed shade up to the top of your window frame or window case. Press the top rail of your shade against the frame or case and position it exactly where you want your shade mounted. Now, mark the front corners of the headrail on the window frame or window case. Set the shade aside and then measure four inches in from the mark on each side and make another mark. These will be your bracket locations.
Place your bracket next to that line and mark where the two screw holes should be. (The hooked portion should be hanging down and towards the window.) Put the brackets aside and drill pilot holes for the screws and install the brackets. Finally, mount your shade to the brackets by snapping the top rail into the brackets—the front of the top rail locks in first and finally the back of top rail is raised until you hear and feel a click.
Avoiding Problems
While installing a cellular shade is quite easy, there are a few things that can go wrong. Brackets that aren’t installed straight can make snapping the headrail into place difficult. Brackets that aren’t aligned—say, one bracket is further toward the room than the other—can cause the headrail to look crooked. And if the window wasn’t measured properly, there can be problems with the fit of the shade or its functioning.
Maintaining Your Shades
Cellular shades should be cleaned once a month or so with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner. A feather duster also works quite well. Do not immerse your cellular shades in water or any other cleaner, and use only soapy water if you need to clean a spot. Because cellular shades are made of fabric, take care not to mishandle or crush the fabric. That said, cellular shades are incredibly durable and should give you many years of reliable performance.
Possibly the Easiest of All Shades
Easy to install, easy to maintain, and easy to use, Bali Cellular Shades are at home in nearly any room. They cut down on drafts, UV rays, excessive sun, cold, and sound. Learn more about installing these hard-working window treatments and see all the colors and fabrics that are available.
