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fixing blind into bottom of catnic

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hi all,
I have a blind that needs to be secured into a window opening which has an Open Back Catnic lintel above it. Im effectively trying to screw it into the polystyrene beads inside the lintel covered with (presumably) a cavity closure then plastered over. The blind was put up whilst I wasnt in to witness it and has been slowly working loose for about a year and finally fell down last night ! Turns out it was secured with regular wall plugs and long screws so obviously thats not the best solution ! The wall now a mess of broken plaster and gaping holes.

I dont really want to move the blind further away from the window onto the solid part of the wall as it will be flapping about and in the way of all the clobber on the window cill. It also looks better deeper inside the opening but unfortunately this means fixing it either to the side (hollow cavity) or top (catnic/polystyrene). Can anyone suggest what fixings might be best to hold in expanded polystyrene in this scenario ? How should I fix up the wall so it will all stay in place ?

thanks,
Nick

Comments

  • lovinituk
    lovinituk Posts: 5,711 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Fix it to the window frame? That's what I've done with some of ours.
  • nicka99
    nicka99 Posts: 153 Forumite
    lovinituk wrote: »
    Fix it to the window frame? That's what I've done with some of ours.

    thanks - if they were wood that would be OK but they're aluminum so dont really want to go drilling into them !
  • phill99
    phill99 Posts: 9,093 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    nicka99 wrote: »
    thanks - if they were wood that would be OK but they're aluminum so dont really want to go drilling into them !

    Second for screwing into the frame. If its ali, just use self tapping screws. Far easier than screwing into a catnic
    Eat vegetables and fear no creditors, rather than eat duck and hide.
  • lovinituk
    lovinituk Posts: 5,711 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    nicka99 wrote: »
    thanks - if they were wood that would be OK but they're aluminum so dont really want to go drilling into them !
    I've fitted to metal frames before with no problems. Most of our current blinds are fitted to the PVC frames we now have.
  • Into the frame is pretty standard on all conservatories, What kind of blind is it??? There are extending brackets available for venetians, Use 5" face fix brackets in 3.5inch verticals. If you can find steel to screw into. Use SELF DRILLING screws and a good cordless drill/driver.
  • hi all - thanks for the input - the aluminium frame is too narrow to fit the brackets on. This is not into a conservatory but a regular window opening. Having looked closely, there really is no other option, aside from moving the blind on to the inner leaf of the brickwork, than screwing into the bead filled void of the catnic. Ive managed to now patch up the wall with filler and secure the blind back up using 'polytoggle' fixings (http://www.diy.com/departments/zinc-effect-polytoggle-dia4mm-l50mm-pack-of-10/254419_BQ.prd). These expand at right angles to the screw as it is tightened. Theres 2 into the top and 1 into the side and it all seems to be very solid now. If it all comes to pieces once more, Ill have to fill the gap with expanding foam and try again but think it will be OK.
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