Blinds - DIY or get a pro in?

want2bmortgage3

I need about 4 blinds, 2 bedrooms, a lounge (possibly) and kitchen, i'm thinking blackout roller blinds in the bedrooms. Vertical blind in the lounge to replace curtains, this will sit in the recess so make the room seem bigger. in the kitchen possibly venetian to match the oak laminate floor or just a vertical.

The only time I fitted a blind was in my old bedroom and it was quite easy except I didnt like having to cut the roller blind to size, this meant using scissors and trying to follow a line, this edge then frayed after a while.

So what do you guys reckon, have a go or get a pro blind fitting company to do it?

Toiletduck

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

I need about 4 blinds, 2 bedrooms, a lounge (possibly) and kitchen, i'm thinking blackout roller blinds in the bedrooms. Vertical blind in the lounge to replace curtains, this will sit in the recess so make the room seem bigger. in the kitchen possibly venetian to match the oak laminate floor or just a vertical.

The only time I fitted a blind was in my old bedroom and it was quite easy except I didnt like having to cut the roller blind to size, this meant using scissors and trying to follow a line, this edge then frayed after a while.

So what do you guys reckon, have a go or get a pro blind fitting company to do it?

You can get made to measure blinds off the net, I just got 2 from interior decor direct. The 50mm wooden venetian ones look fab, farily easy to fit although it was a 2 man job to hold up my larger living room one into place. You can request a free sample pack from their website. Mine were around £40 - £50 each.

lawrie28

Do it youself!!

Roller blinds are easy to fit, I ve never had a problem with them fraying, maybe it was catching somewhere, or not good quality.

I'v just trimmed nine Ikea wooden venetian blinds for the conservatory. You need to buy a pull saw - really fine blade and extra sharp teeth. ALso make sure you put whichever edge is more visible so if the wood is tempted to pull a little, it's on the side you cant see. I also found it very usefull to wrapp a couple of large elastic bands around the blinds to hold them still when cutting. I also made sure I cut the metal top first, to make it easier to cut the wood. Use a hacksaw/junior hacksaw for that.

Take your time, make sure you dont have to trim too much, and also make sure you dont cut through the threads that support the blades, otherwise you end up sewing them back together.......

As for verticals, never had em, som no idea how to alter them, but imagine length is `harder to adjust than width.

It you have a new house, with hollow walls, found it easiest to fix straight into the upvc frame than messing around with hollow wall fittings, lintels etc. Just drill really tiny (2 or 3 mm) holes really carefully, and avoid the joints.

The Pro blind gus cost the earth, and I don't think give you a better job. But if you do go local, don't go for a national based company, a quick search on here will tell you why!!

Networkguy

For verticals I have always used Web Blinds (part of Hillarys) and have always been impressed.

You enter the measurments (they tell you how to measure) and then the blinds are made to order and shipped for you to fit yourself. The fitting is very easy to do.

I have tried other online suppliers and have been disapointed.

Andy_Hamilton

I thought I would save myself money making my own blinds for my house. Argos had a vertical blind kit which you just cut to length and I bought ikea silver blinds for the kitchen and loos.
I will never ever cut them to length again, although my finish is really good it took me ages which i really could have spent doing something else.
Buy them online and fit them yourself would be my option then it's just a few screws and holes to sort out.

mollymunchkin

Roman blinds are really easy to sew yourself. There's loads of books telling you how to make them, get hold of a copy from the library. You can either buy the bits separately (rods, tape, string, rings, etc) or buy a kit with it all in.