Installer | Buying Your Blinds

The Installer

(You Are a Guest - READ MORE)

An installer obviously needs to know how to hang blinds but a homeowner could do this as well.

What differentiates the pro from the homeowner or handyman can be summed up as proficiency plus efficiency. Of these, the first to master is proficiency. You must get it right or your efforts won’t count for much.

You can’t afford to spend more time on a job than is required to deliver the correct result. This does not mean rushing! So, aim for efficiency.

First, learn RIGHT, then learn FAST!

Proficiency

There is a vast and ever growing range of products available and you must understand them. Know how to install them and how they operate.

Understand the tools, hardware and supplies you need for the job. Custom blinds come with the necessary brackets but the screws supplied are of the ‘best case scenario’ variety. Make sure to carry:

Self-piloting screws
Various sized longer screws. I always have 2 & 3 inch hex heads.
Anchors(mollies) for drywall and concrete.
Toggle bolts

Always try to screw into something solid. Often, longer screws can contact a stud where the ones the manufacturer supplied cannot. Develop techniques for special situations.

Lay out your work carefully.

Products should be ‘tagged’ by room name. Make sure the correct coverings are in the windows.
Check measurements and job notes before any brackets go up. Verify inside vs outside mount. Designers might specify an outside mount for aesthetic reasons even though adequate depth is available inside.

Efficiency

Carry a small tool bag with all the tools and fasteners needed for 90% of the jobs. You will reduce trips to your vehicle. If you must go to your vehicle, try not to go empty-handed.

A small 2 or 3 step ladder is all you will need for most of your work. A lightweight aluminum step with a small shelf on top is my favorite. Drill extra holes to accomodate all your tools and bits. Make sure to have longer ladders in your vehicle.

Leave infrequently used tools in your vehicle:

Hacksaw
Battery operated power miter saw
Additional hand tools

Carry your drill in a belted holster, with an extra battery in a pouch.

Charge your batteries in your vehicle. Use a DC/AC inverter to power your charger. It’s easy to leave behind a charger that you plugged into a customer’s outlet. These unnecessary return trips waste a lot of time($).

Develop a quick way to safely open boxes. Use the method in a production-line style. Dispose of wrappers, bags, foam and bubble wrap as you unpack the products. No sense in double-handling the trash.

Neatness DEFINITELY counts. Use drop cloths, dustpan and small portable vacuum as necessary.

You Are A Guest!

Whether you are a designer, decorator, sales consultant, measurer or installer, you have been invited into the home of a customer you probably don’t know and that makes you a stranger.

It can be more than a bit stressful opening the door for someone you have not yet met. Try to take this into consideration at your appointments.

En-route:

If the customer has requested a call, do so.
If you are running later than the scheduled window, alert the customer apologetically. This can help smooth ruffled feathers.

On Arrival:

Wipe your feet on the mat.
Introduce yourself.
Offer to remove your shoes or slip on contractor’s booties.
Give a brief warm greeting to anyone you encounter.
Make friends with the pets.

When Leaving:

Thank the customer.
Explain any follow-up that applies.

Window Treatment Descriptions

Horizontal Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running left-to-right or parallel to the horizon. Also known as Venetian blinds. Sub-categories includes Wood, Faux Wood, Vinyl, Aluminum(mini, micro).

Vertical Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running top-to-bottom or perpendicular to the horizon.

Shadings – These are hybrid roller shades with internal, tilting fabric louvers. Originally released as the Hunter Douglas Silhouette but now available from many brands.

Banded Shades – Also known as Zebra shades. They are rollers with alternating strips of varying opacity which can overlap for full privacy.

Vertical Sheers – A hybrid of a traditional vertical blind and sheer drapery.

Roller Shades – A traditional product familiar to many as a cheap vinyl covering from a home center or hardware store but custom rollers are available in a dizzying array of fabrics.

Solar Shades – A sub-category of roller shade featuring ‘screen’ like fabric of varying transparency expressed as a percentage ‘openness factor’.

Pleated Shades – A simple, traditional fabric shade formed by creasing fabric in increments from 3/4″ – 2″. The predecessor of the cellular shade.

Cellular (Cell) Shades – Also known as honeycomb and accordion shade. Based on pleated shades but have two or more layers creating a thermal barrier which is an effective insulator. Popular with a ‘top-down/bottom-up’ feature which provides direct light while maintaining partial privacy.

Vertical Cellular – A cell shade with cells (pleat lines) running top to bottom. Ideal alternative to vertical blinds for sliding patio doors.

Roman Shades – A decorative traditional fabric shade available in several styles.

Austrian Shades – A traditional fabric shade typically made with sheer fabrics. Privacy comes through the ‘gathering’ effect. They are not particularly practical but are valued for the decorative street view they provide.

Woven Wood – A rustic sub-category of Roman shade available in natural wood and grass woven materials.

Louver Drape – Another sliding door option, these are generally woven wood shades with a drape-like appearance drawing side-to-side.

Panel Track – Also known as a sliding panel. Typically used for sliding patio doors, these feature 2 or more fabric, solar or woven wood panels which stack in parallel, one over another. Great companion to matching roller, solar or woven shades. A clean, modern look but partially obstructs the view outside.

Phrase

Definition

Louvers

Also known as slats or vanes. These are the tiltable components in blinds.