newbie DIYer: trouble to install rollerblind

mameha

I am trying to install some rollerblinds and am having trouble drilling into the wall.

The house is a 1970s build, and it was extended about 15 years ago. The extension windows are double glazed. I am trying to install the ikea rollerblinds into the recess of these windows. The widest one is 180cm, the others are 150cm and 120cm.



This video shows pretty much what I am trying to do, same window etc:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6DBMn0OQm0

The window in that video looks identical to mine, but I *think* mine has plastic/uvc instead of timber. I am reluctant to drill into this part as I am worried about damaging the glass or insulation etc and so have been trying to drill into the recess wall instead.

I can hammer drill into the wall easily about 20mm, after that it becomes rock hard and I cant drill through it even with SDS drill or metal drill bit. I don't know if it is concrete or steel but it is impenetrable.

So, what should I do?

a) get stronger drill/bit and keep trying
b) drill into the plastic window like in the video
c) get a 20mm fixing

I like the idea of (c), but am not sure what type of wall plug/fixing I should use.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

wallbash

a) if you are having that much trouble,time to give up.
b) risky but possible

c) is looking good , a roller blind is not that heavy and 20mm should be fine.

But have you made the hole now a little larger while struggling

SailorSam

If it's drilling in easy but suddenly gets that hard you maybe trying to go into a steel lintel.

mameha

Thanks.

Do I just use a normal wallplug like this?
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Plastic-Wallplugs+Screws-5mm-PK20/p/510012

The shortest in Wickes seems to be 32mm long (yellow 5mm diameter), ie. too long.

Or is something like this better:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Grip-It-Type-25-2-Plasterboard-Fixing-M8-x-20mm-Pack-8/p/121055

Reece_

There's no reason in terms of compromising the window that you can't fix into a upvc frame, the main reason I'd avoid it is just for thinking ahead that if you want rid of the blind at some point that there's not a way to fill the holes that would look any good, however if that doesn't bother you then fix straight to the frame.

Shorter fixings may work but you'd probably want to fill the holes and start again as no doubt the holes would be too big to accommodate a smaller fixing.

Other option I'd suggest if you don't want to fix to the window directly is to fit a wooden baton to the top of the reveal, fix in place with some gripfill and a couple of small nails to hold in place whilst that goes off, then just screw your brackets to this.

mameha

Wooden baton sounds ugly, think I may screw into the upvc. Do I need a special kind of screw to do this?

SailorSam

If you don't want to drill into the plastic ......... How heavy is the blind ?
Could you stick it ?

Reece_

not really, you can buy self tapping screws designed for fitting the hinges on pvc windows but never found them any better than a half decent woodscrew, pilot the hole before though and I'd aim for a length of around half the thickness of the frame.

jhs14

20mm will be deep enough for a lightweight roller blind - buy yellow wall plugs and just cut it down to 20mm with a Stanley knife. I'd be reluctant to damage the upvc just for some blinds.

Owain_Moneysaver

Most blind fixings can be fixed going sideways into the side reveal walls of the window. This should be plaster and brick with no lintel or whatever.

thescouselander

I used to have loads of trouble with this sort of thing - there's not much room between the steel and dry lining on a modern build. After much trial and error I'm definitely of the opinion a wooden batten glued into place is the best route. If you paint it the same colour of the wall it will be unnoticeable.

On the idea of cutting down plugs to get the to fit I've always found these fall out making a mess of the whole as they go. Then you need to try and repair the hole and find something else solid you can screw into - it ends up being a mess.