How to Install Solar Shades
Solar shades are one of the most popular window treatment designs on the market. These sleek shades have a number of advantages that set them apart. Bali Solar Shades stand up to sunlight better than any other shade. They’re made from the most durable materials—woven fabrics that resist fading and can handle years of daily use. But most importantly, they protect you and the interior of your home from damage from the sun’s heat and UV rays. And solar shades do this in an interesting way.
The fabric of a solar shade is woven to allow some light to pass through. That means you get protection from the sun without totally losing your view to the outside. You can still see what’s happening in your yard or on the sidewalk and street. You can also select weaves with openness levels that allow you to see the world outside your window—an important consideration for people with views of mountains, lakes, or cityscapes. Solar shades are available in openness levels ranging from 1% to 10%, giving you lots of options.
To get the full benefit of your solar shades, you need to install them properly. Fortunately, every Bali product is designed to be easy to install. You’ll receive detailed but easy-to-follow instructions with your shade, plus you’ll find installation guides and even helpful videos at baliblinds.com. You’ll also get step-by-step information about how to measure your shades.
This article will give you the basics on installing a solar shade. We’re going to talk about the tools you’ll need (not very many), the preparations you’ll need to make (not many of those, either), and finally, how to install the shades.
What You’ll Need
To properly install your solar shade—or any shade—you’ll need an electric drill, 1/16 and 3/16 drill bits, 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 need to install your solar shade will be included with the shade that arrives from Bali.
Prepping for Installation
Preparing the area around your window for installation can also make your job go more smoothly. Because you’ll be drilling holes, put a drop cloth down underneath the holes you are drilling. Move furniture out of the way and make sure you have enough room for a ladder if the top of your window case is out of reach. And, most importantly, read through the instructions you received with your shade—that’s the most accurate information about how to install your solar shade.
Another important piece of preparation is proper measuring—and that should have happened before you ordered your shades. If you measured correctly, your shades should fit perfectly. You can learn more about measuring your shades at baliblinds.com, but here’s a quick rundown of the simple process of measuring your windows for shades.
For inside mount shades, measure your window’s length (top to bottom) in three places—right side, left side, and in the middle. Bali will account for the necessary gap between the edges of the shade and the sides of the window case or trim.
For outside mount shades, measure the desired size of the shade you would like to cover your window—it’s length from top to bottom and its width. Some people choose to mount their window treatment high or cover only part of their window trim while others decide to cover all of their window trim. It’s up to you. Simply provide those numbers to your retailer when you order your shade.
Installing the Shades
Once you’ve gathered your tools and cleared some space around the window, it’s time to install your shades.
We’ll go through the steps for an inside mount shade—a shade that is mounted within the window frame or window case. Outside mounted windows follow the same steps except you will be mounting the brackets outside of the window case and, generally, to the face of the trim or to the wall.
Now to the installation. Your first step is to attach the mounting plate the bracket. Next, hold the rolled shade up to the top of the window case and use a level to ensure that the shade is even with the top of the window case. With the shade in that position, mark the window case at both ends of the roller. If you’re going to mount the brackets on the backside of the roller or to the sides of the roller, be sure to leave a 1/4-inch gap between the top of the shade and the roller.
Then, position the brackets on the marks you just made, mark your holes, drill the pilot holes, and then attach the brackets with the screws that are provided. Then slide on bracket covers and mount the shades in the brackets, ensuring the hem bar is facing outward. The shade installs from left to right, and the plungers snap into the bracket openings.
Be careful to make sure your shade is level. This is important for both inside mount shades and outside mount shades. You’ll also want to make sure you push the bracket cover all the way over the bracket so that it completely covers it.
Be Safe
There are several things you can do to make your installation safer. If you use a ladder, be sure to keep both feet on the ladder at all times and never climb higher than you feel comfortable. You should always have a rung or the top of the ladder within reach to stabilize yourself. If possible, work with another person who can hold the ladder for you, if necessary, hand you tools, and serve as an extra pair of hands. And safety glasses are always a good idea, especially when drilling holes above your head.
It's That Easy
If that sounds simple, well, it is. The instructions you receive with your solar shades should provide everything you need to know about installation. But if you’d rather learn from a video, check out the full library of installation videos at baliblinds.com.
Remember, Bali designs window treatments to be easy to install. By using the instructions that came along with the shades and the how-to videos and installation guides available at baliblinds.com, you'll have more than enough information to get the job done. Good luck!
