How To Adjust The Length And Width Of Faux Wood Blinds

Faux blinds look expensive like real wood, but they are commonly made with a polymer or vinyl coating. If you transfer your faux wood blinds to a new window, you may find them too short or too wide. However, you don't have to get them cut professionally. rim your faux wood blinds to fit by following this step-by-step guide.

Prepare to Shorten the Blinds

For this project, gather:

• work gloves
• safety glasses
• pencil or marker
• tape measure
• masking tape
• screwdriver 
• tweezers
• pliers
• scissors
• straight edge
•  nail file
• tin snips or hacksaw 

Close the blinds to the desired position, count the slats, then mark where you need to cut. A typical length is right above the window sill, but ensure the slats don't bunch.

Deduct one from this figure to get the number of slats you need to remove. Measure the desired width from inside the window casings, and mark it on the head rail. 

Shorten the Blind Length

The bottom rail (last slat) is held in place by button caps that contain the rail cord. Raise the end caps to reveal the knots on the lift cords, and untie them, using tweezers to pull the knots through, if needed. The lift cords are two thicker strings on the front of the blinds.

Pull the caps by hand or with pliers, removing the right end cap first to avoid falling slats, detach the bottom rail, and set all parts aside to reinstall later. Raise the lift cords through the number of slats you wrote down earlier, and detach them. 

Trim the ladder cords, the strings that run along the back of the blinds, but leave five inches on each side to tie a knot at the end. Reinstall the bottom rail under the.last slat, and pull the lift and lower cords through the holes, then tie a knot. Use a straight edge to check the lift cords and bottom rail or evenness.

Trim the Width

Measure the width, and choose how much you want to trim, which is typically one-half inch shorter than the window frame. Mark this figure on the blinds, and detach the blinds from the window.

Lay the blinds on a flat surface, then tape the blind ends to avoid splintering. Ensure the blind slats and bottom rail stay even. Push the slats, so they move slightly passed the head rail, and trim the ends on the mark. 

Trim the length of the head rail in the same manner, and file the ends.The ends will commonly be hidden by brackets, so don't be concerned about them being perfect. Reinstall the blinds.

Contact a company, like Lorraine's Window Coverings, for more help.