How to fit roller blinds

Through following the steps below, from marking out the correct measurements and spots for installation, to drilling the holes and installing the brackets, you will have your roller blinds fitted in no time. As long as your measurements and markings are correct your roller blinds will be perfectly fitted.

Knowing how to fit roller blinds can seem like a daunting task especially for a do-it-yourself newbie. Luckily, the following steps will make it easier and faster to complete the task with little to none of the aggravations encountered by less well-informed persons.

But be sure that the blinds are of the right size when purchasing these window treatments. Just measure the width and the length (i.e., drop) of the window where the roller blinds will be installed and buy the one that best fits it.

Gather Tools & Materials

Gathering the necessary tools and materials before fitting the roller blinds is essential for easy, fast and convenient installation. You will need the following basic items:

Roller blinds
Double-sided tape
Screws
Wall fixings
Electric drill
Masonry bit
Screwdriver
Bradawl
Steel tape measure
Spirit level
Pencil

All the other steps in how to install a roller blind will be easier to follow with the tools and materials ready for the taking, so to speak.

Step 1: Mark The Spots

Ask for assistance before fitting roller blinds; at least one assistant will suffice.

Mark a level line on the wall above and beside the window where the roller blinds will be placed on. Have your assistant check that it is in fact level where the naked eye is concerned; you should not trust your eyes when you are too close to the line because your view will be distorted.
Ideally, the level line should be 4 to 5 centimetres above the window, but you can adjust depending on the roller blinds' design and your personal preference.
Double check that the line is, indeed, level by using a spirit level.

A man making a pencil mark on a white PVC window frame, indicating where he wants to drill

With your assistant, mark the screw hole positions on the wall – you hold the blind in place while your assistant marks the position, for example. Use the end brackets for marking the spot and check that the end brackets are at equal distances from the window's centre. Balance is as important as alignment in fitting roller blinds into place.

Step 2: Drill the Holes

Using an electric drill and a masonry bit, drill the fixing holes and suit the wall fixing. Keep in mind not to drill too closely to the edge of the brickwork or the plaster work; experts suggest a 50-millimetre clearance for safety and efficiency purposes. If you are attaching the roller blinds to a wood surround instead of masonry, drill the hole with a bradawl. Drilling and wall plugs are then unnecessary. Dust off the small debris from the drilled holes for a more polished look.

A man using an electric drill to screw a bracket to a white PVC window frame

Step 3: Install the Brackets

Check that all of the brackets are on their correct sides. Just to be sure, read the instructions as each roller blind design will have different bracket installation requirements. Insert the wall plugs, if necessary, and then secure each bracket with screws. Check that these are securely attached.

Installing the roller blinds comes next. Be sure to mark and cut the roller blinds, if needed, before installation. Plus take special care not to scuff or damage the roller blind fabric when handling the blind.

A pair of hands slotting together a white roller blind and tube end cap

Slide the roller blinds into the brackets and check their alignment and placement.
Snap the roller blinds into position using the pegs.
Check that the roller blinds' mechanisms are working.

And voilà! You have your roller blinds installed, easy-peasy.