Fixing Blinds — Wall, Lintel or Window Frame?

paperclap

Hi all,

We need to fix some blinds into the recesses of some windows.

The initial plan was to fix the end brackets to the wall, and the multiple support brackets to the concrete lintels above. The windows are quite large (over two metres), so probably do require the support brackets.

Is it a bit dodgy drilling into the concrete lintels? It’s a 1955 bungalow. Don’t want to do any damage to it.

Some have suggested fixing to the window frame itself… but I’m not sure it’ll look all that great. Plus, to ensure the blinds go past the window handles, I’d need to offset the brackets from the frame somehow.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

victor2

Use a hammer drill and go into the concrete. If you're lucky it will not hit something and wander off or make a much larger hole than you wanted. I usually start with a small pilot hole first, then open it up to the size required for the rawl plug.

FreeBear

victor2 said: Use a hammer drill and go into the concrete.

If they are anything like the concrete lintels here, you will need an SDS drill. Ruddy hard stuff, but at least you only need to go in ~30mm or so.

casper_gutman

FreeBear said:

victor2 said: Use a hammer drill and go into the concrete.

If they are anything like the concrete lintels here, you will need an SDS drill. Ruddy hard stuff, but at least you only need to go in ~30mm or so.

Likewise here. Our lintels are concrete with flint aggregate - so hard that when I tried using a normal hammer drill to put blinds up I was convinced I  was trying to drill into steel.

I ended up paying someone else to do it. He used a 3.5kg SDS Plus drill and went through two drill bits before the job was done.

GDB2222

It is much easier to screw a batten to the wall, then screw the blind to that.  

casper_gutman

GDB2222 said:

It is much easier to screw a batten to the wall, then screw the blind to that.  

True. That works I you're fixing the blind outside the window recess, but sometimes  blinds just work better when fitted inside.

Also, if the window is in the corner of the room there may not be room for a batten to extend beyond the lintel.

stuart45

casper_gutman said:

FreeBear said:

victor2 said: Use a hammer drill and go into the concrete.

If they are anything like the concrete lintels here, you will need an SDS drill. Ruddy hard stuff, but at least you only need to go in ~30mm or so.

Likewise here. Our lintels are concrete with flint aggregate - so hard that when I tried using a normal hammer drill to put blinds up I was convinced I  was trying to drill into steel.

I ended up paying someone else to do it. He used a 3.5kg SDS Plus drill and went through two drill bits before the job was done.

Even a 3.5kg drill can struggle and burn out bits on certain walls. Look at the J rating on an SDS drill. Most of the smaller ones only deliver about 3, whereas a Titan giving 10J will go into a flint wall quite easily without wrecking the bits.

Megaross

SDS drill and a good sharp bit is what you're wanting, go through the plaster on non hammer then SDS using a small bit, go up to full size. Good accurate holes every time into a concrete lintel.

You can do it with a decent hammer drill but you'll be there a while.

If you're fixing through dot and dab or dry lining you'll want to use proper fixings, I've used corefix and drylinepro for those jobs over the years.

paperclap

Thanks one and all.

Fitted the back bedroom blinds last night, and they're looking pucka 

Threw out the rubbish plugs and screws they provided. Used 4 x 35mm woodscrews with Fischer red plugs. Drilled 4mm pilot holes into the concrete lintel for the support brackets, then opened up with a 5.5mm bit. Did the same for the main brackets, on the recess walls.

Used a normal drill for the lintel. Albeit, it was on hammer action. But, all good!