Blinds offer an easy and inexpensive way to control light and gain a little privacy. They come in a wide variety of colors and styles to suit almost any decor. Most blinds come with everything needed for standard installation on a wood frame window, but what about windows with frames made of sheetrock (drywall)? In a few simple steps, even a beginner can hang blinds on sheetrock window frames. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Measure the Window
1. Measure the window opening before purchasing blinds. Outside mounting is not recommended on drywall frames. You will need the inside-to-inside horizontal measurement of your window's opening. You will also need to measure the width of the glass.
2. Purchase blinds that are at least 1/4 inch narrower than the window opening and at least 1/2 inch wider than the glass.
3. Measure the width of the blind mechanism (the rectangular box at the top of the blind), subtract it from the width of your window's opening and divide by two. Mark the top of the window opening at a point equal to this divided dimension from each corner. Subtract 1/4 inch and mark again. This second mark is the placement of the outside of your blind bracket.
Installing the Blind
4. Drive a finish nail into the sheetrock just on the inside of your second mark. If the nail hits solid wood, you have lumber framing underneath your sheetrock. If it pops through the sheetrock and feels loose, you do not. Remove the nail before proceeding.
5. Decide how far out from the window you want the blind. Typically they are hung slightly inside the window opening, an inch or two from the glass, to keep them from banging on the window when opened or closed. Mark the same distance back from the edge just inside both outside marks from step 3 in section 1. This is your depth line.
6. Remove the sliding plastic square stop from the front of the bracket and hold the bracket in place at the top of your window opening. The front edge should be on the depth line, the outside edge on the outside bracket mark. Mark the two screw holes with a pencil. For lumber framing, proceed to the next step. No frame? Follow instructions on the package to install plastic anchors before proceeding.
7. Pre-drill the sheetrock if you have lumber framing with a 1/8-inch pilot bit. Hold the bracket in place with pilot holes or sheetrock anchors directly above the screw holes. Attach using 1-1/4-inch drywall screws to attach brackets to lumber framing. Use the supplied screws with plastic anchors.
8. Install the blind into the brackets and slide the square stops into place. Raise and lower the blind and make any necessary adjustments.
Tags: window opening, lumber framing, your window opening, your window, before proceeding
