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ONLINE ORDER PICKUP

Pickup location for online orders is at:

1704 E 29 St.

Vancouver, WA 98663

Click for Map


 

News

 
Blind or Shade repair
Restringing Service for your
Blinds or Shades


If you aren’t very patient and don’t have the time to fix it yourself. The price for restringing a pleated shade is $36.90for the first three cords and an additional five dollars for each additional cord after three. For More Information:
www.blindrepairshop.com

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Online ordering

  1. Online Ordering

Blinds & Shades, Tips & Troubleshooting Guide

Try our FAQ search! Here For The Most Common Questions.

Traditional Corded Blinds

  1. Blind slats will not lower ?
  2. Blind will not tilt/Slats will not turn?
  3. Cord Lock Operation?
  4. Replacing Slats?
  5. Restringing a blinds?
  6. Shortening blind?
  7. How Much String Do I Need?
  8. Raising and lowering
  9. Tilting slats
  10. HunterDouglas Shade adjust

EasyUp

  1. Bottom of shade does not hang evenly?
  2. Noisy operation?
  3. Frayed Cord loop?

Cordless Cellular Shades

  1. Creeping or sagging?
  2. Cord controls too long?
  3. Will not lift?
  4. Duette® And Applause® Cordlock Shades?

Vertical Blinds


Roller Shades

  1. Shade will not roll up all the way/Difficult to operate?

RV Shades

  1. Adjusting Cord Tension on day/night RV Shade
  2. Cleaning and Care on day/night RV Shade

How to recycle your Shade, Vertical Blind & Venetian Blind.


 

Blind slats will not lower?

When packaged for shipment, the slats of the blind are fully raised. When you first attempt to lower the slats the cord lock may not release, preventing the slats from lowering. First, mount the blind in the window. Then hold the lift cords level with the head rail and gently pull. This should release the cord lock. If this does not solve the problem, take the blind out of the window. Locate the cord lock mechanism in the head rail (the lift cords run through this). You will see a pin. Using a flat head (be careful to avoid contact with the cording) screwdriver, turn the screwdriver perpendicular to the head rail. Push the pin to disengage the cords. NOTE: As soon as you release the pin, the slats will lower.

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Raising and lowering

Always raise and lower with blind open. To lower blind, simply pull down using the grips on the bottomrail. To raise the blind, simply guide the blind to the desired position by gently lifting the bottomrail. Please note we have manufactured the blind 11/2" longer than ordered due to the tendency of the cordless mechanism to creep up slightly. On inside-mount blinds, the blind may need to be pulled away from the window slightly in order to fully lower the blind.

 


Replacing Slats

If the cords are not broken, you do not have to remove the blind. Begin by removing the ladder cap from the under side of the bottom rail. Now that the ends of the cords are exposed within the bottom rail, pull them out slightly. Cut the old cord above the knot and weld the ends of the old and new cord together using a lighter or match. Roll the joined cords between your fingers to create a smooth weld. From the cord lock side, gently pull the tassel toward the left and this will pull the new cording through the same path. When the cording gets to the desired length for the controls to be, tie a knot in the ends by the bottom rail and cut off the excess. Replace the tassel and repeat process for additional cords.

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Tilt problems for horizontal blind

Confirm that the tilt rod goes through the tilter mechanism and has not slid out of place. The tilt rod should not be impeded from turning by the end stiffeners. The tilt rod should be approximately 1-1/2" less than the head rail size. Make sure that the tilt rod is not bent. Confirm that the tilter mechanism is completely set into the head rail of the blinds. Make sure that the tape roll/drum is properly set into the tape roll support/cradle. The tape roll/drum must be centered in the tape roll support/cradle in order to turn freely. Placement of tape roll supports and tilter should allow the tilt rod to turn without tension. The tilt rod should not bend in order to insert into the tilter gear or to run through the tape roll supports. Attempt to spray the head rail components (including the tilter & tape rolls/drums) with a silicon spray. This may remedy abnormal stiffness and squeaking. If all of the above methods fail or when it is obvious that the gear in the tilter has worn out or is defective, replacing the tilter may be necessary.

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Tilting slats

On blinds with wand control, twist the wand to rotate the slats to the desired closure. On blinds with cord tilt control, pull the cords to adjust slat closure. Slats may be rotated in either direction to control light and privacy.


Restringing a blind

If the cords are not broken, you do not have to remove the blind. Begin by removing the ladder cap from the under side of the bottom rail. Now that the ends of the cords are exposed within the bottom rail, pull them out slightly. Cut the old cord above the knot and weld the ends of the old and new cord together using a lighter or match. Roll the joined cords between your fingers to create a smooth weld. From the cord lock side, gently pull the tassel toward the left and this will pull the new cording through the same path. When the cording gets to the desired length for the controls to be, tie a knot in the ends by the bottom rail and cut off the excess. Replace the tassel and repeat process for additional cords.

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Shortening blind

Remove the bottom rail plugs to release the string ladders and reveal the knotted lift cord. Undo the knot and pull up lift cord enough to release the slats you need to remove. Remove the bottom rail and slats necessary to shorten the blind. Determine the desired length and insert the bottom rail into the last ladder rung. Cut the string ladder above the rung that hangs below the bottom rail. You should have enough ladder hanging to be able to insert these strings into the route holes on the bottom of the bottom rail. Insert the lift cord through the bottom rail hole and tie a knot. Make sure that the lift cords are even and that the bottom rail hangs straight. Adjust to the desired length by lowering or raising the knot in the lift cord. You may also insert more or less of the ladders in the bottom rail route. Do not try to adjust the length by pulling on the lift cord. Replace the bottom rail plugs. Use a rubber mallet or hammer to keep from marking the plugs.

CORD LOCK OPERATION

To raise or lock shade: Pull the cord down and inward, towards the center of the shade. Stay as close to the shade as is convenient. To raise or lock Middle or Bottom Rail of the shade: Pull the cord down and inward to the center of the shade. PLEASE NOTE: When raising the Middle Rail all the way up to the Head Rail, the Bottom Rail should be raised a couple of inches. This prevents pinching the Equalizer between the rails. To lower or release Middle or Bottom Rail of the shade: Pull the cord directly downward in the vertical position.

For Standard Mini Blinds, Venetian Blinds, Shades.

Measure in Inches,
Length + Width + Lift Cord Length X Number of Cords Divided by 12 = Feet

Example of a 3 Cord Shade,
The Width of your Shade is 72 Inches
The Length of your Shade is 48 inches
The Length of your Lift Cord is 36 inches
(This is the cord you raise & lower your blind)
You can make it longer if needed.

Add together to get the length of 1 cord
72 + 48 + 36 =156 X 3 Cords = 468 inches divide by 12 = 39 feet
This Formula has extra cord to tie knots & make adjustments
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When you want to remove a vane, slide a thin flat object (credit card, etc.) up the vane on the hook side of the vane holder. Then slide the vane and card down and out of the vane holder (vane should slide out easily). If process is difficult, verify that the vane is not sliding back onto the hook.

Reattaching vanes
Remove vane. Notice that the carrier body in the headrail has a rectangular hole which the stem fits into. Align the carrier stem that needs adjustment with the hole. Insert a piece of string into the stem. Grasp the stem and push it into the carrier body. Now operate the rotation chain. You will now notice the stem now inside the body will NOT rotate. With the controls chain, rotate all other stems to line up with the one to be adjusted. Grasp both ends of the string and pull downward to move the stem back into the operable position. Reattach vane.

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What can I use to cover my patio door

Usually the easiest solution for a patio door is a vertical blind. However, there are those who prefer something(anything) other than a vertical blind. The most common alternative to a vertical blind for a sliding door is the Hunter Douglas Vertiglide®, which is a honeycomb shade that moves sideways, accordian style. There is a fixed headrail at the top, a fixed vertical end rail, and a moving rail, which is used to open and close the shade. There is no track at the bottom, no visible strings, and no cords to pull. Shutters can also be used to cover a sliding glass door.

Bottom of shade does not hang evenly - EasyUp

Sometimes this can happen if the cords get caught in the head rail. This can also happen if the "C" Clips are not evenly spaced on the tilt rod in the head rail. To fix, unhook the cording, then raise and lower the shade several times to test the operation.

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Noisy operation- EasyUp

Sometimes on larger shades, the piece that keeps the long metals strips from rubbing against the head rail shifts out of position. This piece is a small plastic component that all the spears run through. Simply push this plastic component to the end of the metal spears to eliminate the noise.

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Cord controls too long- Cellular, Honeycomb, Pleated Shade?

 First, untie the upper knot from the smaller cord that feeds into the cord collector. Push the stop ball up to the desired location and then retie the knot. Before you cut off excess cording, first lower the blind to make sure the length of the shade and the controls are satisfactory.

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Frayed Cord Loop

First, remove the control end cap by lifting the tab on the top of the head rail that locks the cap into place. The cap should then easily pop off. Remove the frayed cord loop by gently lifting the cord and turning the mechanism (Tip: a screwdriver inserted into the center of the mechanism allows for easy rotation). Start the new cord loop into the pulley by placing the cord into one of the teeth of the gear. Rotate the cord loop into place. Replace the control cap

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Will not lift - Cordless Cellular Shades

Gently pull down on the bottom rail to reactivate the spring. Tip: Anytime you leave your blinds in the closed position for an extended period of time, the spring will need to be reset in order to function properly.

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Creeping or Sagging

If you notice your shade is creeping up from the bottom or sagging from the top, please look inside the head rail to check for the factory-installed friction clips. Contact customer service to receive friction clips and instructions to install into the spring motor.
 For shades that are sagging down from the top when raised, remove the bottom rail end caps from one end and look for one or more pieces of steel rod. Remove one piece at a time and check for improved performance. Then replace the end caps.

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Bottom Rail Hangs Unevenly- EasyUp

In some instances, the lift tapes (white ribbons) in your cordless shade can become entangled. This problem can typically be solved by pulling the shade down completely. This will usually realign the tapes. Prevention Tip: Always lift your shade from the middle rather than the sides and do not lift too quickly as this creates slack in the ribbons.

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Roller Shades

Shade will not roll up all the way/Difficult to operate
First make sure that the brackets are not rubbing against the ends of the roller or that the brackets have not been bent. Pull the shade partially down. Remove from brackets. Increase tension by rolling up the shade two revolutions. Replace in brackets and test. Repeat the procedure until the shade rolls up with proper tension.

Shade rolls up to fast/does not catch
Decrease tension by raising the shade to the top and remove from brackets. Unroll approximately 18" by hand and replace in brackets. Repeat until proper tension is achieved.

The shade does not roll up straight (telescoping)
Some fabrics have a tendency to telescope to one side or the other when being rolled up. To alleviate this, unroll the shade until you can see where the fabric is attached to the roller, put a small piece of masking tape at the attachment on the opposite from where the shade is telescoping. A second or even third piece can be placed on to alleviate more extreme telescoping issues

Adjusting Cord Tension on day/night RV Shade
 
After time cords may stretch causing your shades not to operate correctly. This may be corrected by simply removing the bottom cord attachment on both sides of the shade and then pulling the cord tighter and retying a new knot. **Important** Both sides should be adjusted in equal amounts so your shades will hang evenly. Cord should be fairly tight when you reinstall bottom attachment. Note: Be sure to not let go of the cord when adjusting as it may travel into the shade and then must be returned for restringing. Spool attachments may also be tightened by wrapping cord around the spool.

Cleaning and Care on day/night RV Shade
RV Shades should be kept In the closed or the up position when not in use, to maintain pleat retention and minimize dirt and soil buildup. Do not store shade in the down position, this may cause some loss of a pleat retention if RV shade are not operate on a consistent basis. Note: if your recreation vehicle must be in storage for an extended period time. Store RV shade in the up position and cover your window with an additional protection (example cut out cardboard).
RV Shade can be easily cared for by simply dusting or using a vacuum cleaner attachment. Do not use spot remover, or household cleaner or detergent to remove soiled spot, or as this may cause damage to fabric.

HunterDouglas Shade adjust

cordless tdbu

Recycle Your Shade, Vertical Blind & Venetian Blind. Keep Your window treatment out of are landfill. When it comes to recycling blind it depends on the type. Not all window blinds are made of a recyclable material. Not all material are recyclable, aluminum and steel components can be recycled some of the plastic and vinyl may also be recyclable. Aluminum mini blinds can be taken to any metal scrap yard or if you have recycling service, you can leave your blinds out for pickup. Dismantle them and put the metal parts in the curbside recycling bin. Many recyclers require no peace being longer than 30 inches. Check with your recyclers.


Think safety too! The cords on window coverings present a potential strangulation hazard.
For child safety, consider cordless alternatives.