How to Remove Blinds Without Damaging Your Window Frame
You know what they say – what goes up must come down.
And window blinds are no different!
Maybe it’s time for some spring cleaning. Or maybe you have a broken blind that needs replacing – or, better yet, maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Either way, those blinds are coming down at some point.
But that’s okay – because blinds aren’t permanent.
Removing them, however, can be tricky – especially since all blinds are built differently. As a general rule of thumb, the removal process can be broken down into four primary steps – which are as follows:
- Open the blinds to expose the window.
- Remove the valance, if you have one.
- Remove the headrail and the blinds.
- Remove the brackets from the window frame.
Removing your blinds will involve some variation of the steps listed above, regardless of what type of blinds you have. But doing so improperly could result in damaged, and sometimes unfixable, blinds.
Don’t worry – we’ll teach you everything you need to know about removing window blinds below!
Different Mount Types & Bracket Installations
First and foremost, let’s take a moment to understand how your blinds, shades, curtains, or shutters were originally installed. More specifically, we need to take a look at the mounting type and the bracket design.
There are two primary mounting types with window blinds today:
Inside Mount. Blinds with an inside mount are attached to the inside of the window frame, whether that be the top, sides, or corner of the frame. It makes your window look much more sleek and minimalistic.
Outside Mount. Blinds with an outside mount are attached to the face or front of the architrave, which sits above the window (not in the frame). It allows for greater light coverage and noise reduction.
There are also two primary bracket designs used for blinds today:
Box Brackets. On each end of the blind, you’ll see a small square or rectangular box that keeps the blind in place. That box can either be removed completely or will have a tiny latch with a door you can open.
Spring-Loaded Brackets. The header of the blind is pushed into a spring-loaded mechanism, which locks the blind in a secure position without the need for a box. The spring can be released at any time.
Inside mounts usually contain some sort of spring-loaded bracket that needs to be pushed in before being pulled out, while outside mounts generally use a box bracket that needs to be opened before pulling it out.
How to Remove Different Types of Blinds
Now that you understand the different types of mounting brackets and hardware designs most blinds have these days, learning how to remove the different types of blinds will be as easy as 1-2-3 (in most cases).
As long as you’re not forcing anything, you should be fine!
Of course, you’ll need to identify what type of blinds you have first – and there are a lot of different types. Some of the most popular types include horizontal, vertical, Roman, cellular, and roller blinds.
Don’t worry – we’ll teach you how to get the job done for each type of blind, just follow along below!
5. Horizontal Blinds
Also known as ‘Venetian blinds,’ horizontal blinds feature small horizontal slats that are usually 1-3 inches wide. They’re held together by strings and are controlled by pull/twist cords on either end of the blind.
Other types of horizontal blinds are called faux wood blinds or mini blinds.
To remove horizontal blinds, tilt the slats so they’re perpendicular to the floor and open them all the way by pulling the string as far as it’ll go. If there’s a valance, remove it to expose the blind’s headrail.
Some brackets don’t have a spring, which means the headrail can be carefully tilted back and rolled out of the back without pushing it forward. Those with a spring need to be pushed forward before tilting back. And if it has a box bracket, open the door or remove the box to reveal an opening to slide the headrail out.
When the headrail is removed, unscrew the brackets from the wall or window frame with a Philips or flat head screwdriver.
4. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds feature vertical slats that are anywhere between three and six inches wide. Other than that, they’re designed similarly to horizontal blinds in that they’re connected by string and controlled by cords.
To remove vertical blinds, locate the drawstring attached to the side of the window frame (if installed that way). Pop the protective casing off the wall attachment and unscrew it from the wall to free the cord.
Open the blinds so the most light is coming through and push the slats to the far end. If you’d like to remove each slat, do so now – but you’ll need to remove them one-by-one from the top of the headrail.
Locate the tabs in the back of the headrail and push up on the tab. This will release the headrail from the bracket, so make sure you’re prepared to catch it as it falls. Then unscrew the brackets from the frame.
3. Roman Blinds
Roman blinds work in much the same way as horizontal blinds, but they’re made of fabric and fold into pleats when raised. The cascading folds give the blinds a more elegant and decorative appearance.
To remove Roman blinds, follow the steps we gave for horizontal blinds. In some cases, you can see the brackets underneath the headrail by lifting up the fabric pleats. Just unscrew it from the wall and catch it.
2. Cellular Blinds
Also known as honeycomb shades, cellular blinds are made from pleated fabric cells that expand and contract – kind of like an accordion. They’re primarily known for their energy efficiency and sleek design.
Cellular blinds can be both vertical and horizontal, so refer to our directions above before attempting to remove them. In most cases, you’ll need to activate the spring-loaded mechanism to release the headrail.
1. Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are made from a single, continuous piece of fabric – no more pleats or slats – that roll up neatly at the top of the window when raised. Like other designs, it’s controlled by a cord mechanism.
If the drawstring is attached to the wall, detach the protective covering and unscrew it from the wall.
To remove the headrail, you’ll either need to roll the headrail towards you and push outward, lift upward and pull outward, pull it toward you and direct it to the side, or push a tab and pull it toward you.
Contact Us Today for Immediate Assistance
Are you ready to upgrade the blinds, curtains, shades, and shutters in your home? Are any of your blinds damaged or not working properly? Are you overwhelmed by the wide variety of window treatments today?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then you’ve come to the right place.
Welcome to Arizona Blinds Company.
We are a family-owned business offering high-quality blinds, shades, and custom window treatment coverings to those living in the Arizona area. From installation to replacement and repair – we do it all!
Feel free to contact us at (623) 900-1316 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment with one of our experts. We can’t wait to help you take better control of the sunlight and climate inside of your home.
