How to choose the width of a roller blind for a window, do-it-yourself cutting methods

Width calculation

The dimensions of the curtains depend on the size of the window and the shape of the sashes. The length of the rolled web is not so important when choosing, because it is standard and adjustable. The standard height of the curtain is 180 cm, the width of the curtains is from a minimum of 25 cm to a maximum of 300 cm. The measurement is always made according to the width indicated on the packaging, taking into account the shaft.

For standard windows, you can select ready-made curtains with instructions and a specified mounting location, but for atypical windows or irregularly shaped windows, you must select the width of the curtain yourself or make an individual order.

To correctly measure a plastic or wooden window for installing curtains you need:

1. Measure the width and length of the glass to determine the minimum required roller blind size.
2. Calculate the depth of the glazing bead (the parts between the glass and the window door). If the glazing bead depth is 1.5 cm or less, the “Mini” roller blind system is suitable. If the size is larger, then the Uni system is suitable.

Rolled fabric, which is attached directly to the sash, shades the room well and when rolled up goes unnoticed.

Is it possible to trim a roller blind?

Is it possible and how to cut a roller blind? The answer is yes! It is possible, and with our curtains it is very easy to do this. Below you will find instructions on how to reduce the width of a roller blind with your own hands in the video and in written instructions. Let's sort it out in order.

1. Is it possible to cut roller blinds to width yourself? Yes, you can, unless we are talking about too loose fabrics. To do this, you do not need special skills or complex tools.

You will need:

• scissors;
• hacksaw;
• ruler;
• felt-tip pen/marker/pencil;
• glue for magnets (not always).

2. Is it possible to cut roller blinds to length yourself? This is also possible, but much more difficult. You will need to resew the bottom of the curtain. It will be necessary to recreate the pocket for the weight bar.

But we are happy to announce that in almost all cases, a reduction in length is not required. The canvas is adjustable using a chain mechanism to the length you need and does not require trimming.

MINI system

To calculate the width of the Mini roll sheet for installation on the sash you need:

• Measure the width and height of the glass in mm. Add 40 mm to the resulting width and 120 mm to the height.
• decide on the location of the mechanism for lifting the rolled web, the best option is on the side.
• choose a mounting method, it can be adhesive tape, screws, or a bracket.

The standard width of the roll sheet for mounting on the sash is 9 centimeters greater than the width of the glass. “Mini” curtains are fixed to the sash without drilling, but with the help of plastic fastening, Velcro, and staples.

How to choose the width of a roller blind for a window, do-it-yourself cutting methods

Correctly measuring the width of roller blinds guarantees the acquisition of a functional element of interior decor. Rolled fabric does not take up much space, does not require special care, and also allows light and air to pass through well.

UNI system

The Uni system fits into any interior. The roll is hidden in a box; it can be mounted at any level, on the sash or on top of the window opening. Mounted with self-tapping screws.

To calculate the width of roller blinds for installation over an opening you need:

• measure the external dimensions of length and width, using these data, taking into account the dimensions of the guide roller blinds, select a model.
• the height is equal to the sum of the external size of the window and the height of the box 7 centimeters (UNI 2).

The standard width for mounting on a wall above a window opening is 10 centimeters greater than the width of the window opening, so that the panel is lightproof.

Roller blind measurement, UNI 1 system

Roller blind measurement, UNI 2 system

Standard sizes of roller blinds and width cutting technology

In modern design, when arranging rooms, great attention is paid to the design of windows, since they give the room a complete look and an atmosphere of home comfort. Various curtains are used to decorate openings, but roller models are especially popular in interiors; they are distinguished by their unusual appearance and texture.

Since these products are sold in standard sizes, they often have to be trimmed before installation; it is quite possible to handle such work yourself, having first completed all measurements.

Table of minimum and maximum sizes

How to shorten the length of vertical blinds?

Reducing the length of vertical stripes is even easier. For this purpose, use a long ruler or tape measure to determine the height of the opening.

Next, remove the strips from the cornice and do the following:

• Use a knife to carefully pry off the plastic cover. As a result, remove the hooks from the cornice and disconnect them from the canvases.
• From each strip, remove the plastic weighting that is located on the bottom of all parts of the curtain.
• Measure the height that suits you and make an allowance of a few cm to secure the weighting material.
• Before shortening vertical blinds in height, freeze the opening again, since it will be unrealistic to lengthen a small curtain. Cut each strip at the marked locations. Treat the cut with fire, otherwise the fabric will begin to unravel.
• Fold the edge of each strip under and press it gently with an iron. Attach a weight strip to each curtain and assemble the curtain in reverse order.

At the final step, it is natural to reduce the length of the regulatory chain. Find the plastic lock here, unfasten it and release both ends of the cord. Cut it to the length that suits you, place it back in the lock and snap it shut.

How to cut the width of a curtain (photo instructions)

You can handle the task of cutting the width of the curtain yourself and without special tools. To take all measurements you need to use a length ruler or construction tape.

You can shorten the width of the roll as follows:

1. Cut off the shaft. To do this, subtract the thickness of the bracket from the width of the roll. Measure the required length of the shaft, cut off the excess and install a special plug on it.

2. Lay out the curtain and mark the desired width using a rail.
3. Cut the fabric with a knife.

4. To install the material on the shaft, you need to remove the film from the self-adhesive strip of the shaft. Make sure that the roller blind is wound onto the shaft from the side of the window opening. Check where the curtain lift mechanism will be located. The curtain must be fixed on the shaft strictly in a horizontal direction to avoid distortions. Bend 5 centimeters from the top of the roll to form a fold. Attach the shaft into the fold with the self-adhesive side up.
5. Roll the shaft to the top of the canvas, wrap the roller blind, leaving ¼ of the free edge, and fix the bottom rail.

6. Installation on the bracket has the following sequence: first the edge with the mechanism is inserted, then the other.

It is not difficult to initially correctly measure the width based on the mounting location on the window if you initially select a curtain system model and take measurements from the window opening or sash. But if there is a need to trim the width of the roller blinds, then you can do it yourself.

How to trim yourself?

Roller blinds, as a rule, are cut when it is necessary to change the decor of the room or if they do not correspond to the size of the window openings, which often happens when moving or changing place of residence. Any housewife can shorten roll sheets.

First, the fabric should be hung on the curtain rod, after it has straightened out and taken its final shape, measurements are taken. In this case, the decorative processing of the product below will depend on the type of fabric.

The easiest way to reduce fabric is a double hem, with which you can hide up to 30 cm of fabric without trimming.

If the curtains are made of silk or organza, markings cannot be applied to them, otherwise marks may remain. To prevent this from happening, use universal adhesive strips.

They are pre-ironed with an iron, and then the canvas and the folded piece are fastened together. It is necessary to iron the strips through gauze, laying the fabric on a soft towel.

The edges of roller blinds can also be finished with edging, which is a fabric tape. It is first secured with pins, then stitched. In this case, it is not necessary to shorten the curtains from the bottom; there is a way to reduce the length from the top edge.

Regardless of the type of trimming, you will need tailor's soap, scissors, an iron, thread, needles and a measuring tape.

The shortening process itself consists of several stages.

• The edge is cut first. This should be done carefully, otherwise haste can lead to deformation and damage to the fabric. Initially, the edges on the sides are processed, then the curtain is folded, ironed well and stitched.
• Next, a braid is attached to the top of the future curtain, bending the edges of the fabric by 2-3 cm. The tape is applied to the wrong side of the product and sewn. The number of seams in this case depends on the width of the braid. The bottom of the roller blind should be processed using the double hem method.
• The completion of the work is considered drapery.

Pleated curtains

This model is best purchased true to size. If the finished pleated curtains turn out to be a little larger, then there is a way to shorten the product.

By lenght

You need to lay out the curtain on the floor and make markings. Trim the excess length (preferably from the top end). Finish the ends using the double fold method. Sew on a sewing machine. Assemble the structure and install it on the window.

Width

In this case, the cornice and side part of the curtain are trimmed. Be careful not to damage parts of the control mechanism. Before trimming, it is better to remove them and completely dismantle the structure itself.

Horizontal

The product is assembled from wooden, aluminum, and plastic slats. Rarely, fabric ones are used. We will tell you how to shorten horizontal blinds in width and length. If expensive wooden horizontal blinds are installed, it is advisable to contact specialists. They will do the work on special machines. In other cases, you can handle it yourself. We will show you how to shorten blinds with your own hands.

By lenght

The question arises, how to shorten the length of the blinds. To do this, you need to arm yourself with scissors and a lighter. An open fire is needed to seal the edges of the cut cord. The soldered ends are easier to thread into the holes of the slats. Remove the plugs from the bottom lamella. Pull the cord a little and cut along the markings. Burn the ends of the cord to prevent tangling. The marking is set at the required height. Excess slats are removed. The bottom strip is removed last. It is installed in place of the specified length. The structure is assembled, the control cord is threaded into all the slats. Plugs are installed at the ends of the cord.

Width

How to shorten blinds in width? In this case, the cornice is shortened. You need to remove the plug on one side. Then remove all fastening and control elements from the cornice. Set the markings and cut off the required part. Then each lamella is shortened. The cut ends are processed depending on the material. The structure is assembled and installed in place.

Installation options

When choosing an installation method, remember that such light-protective structures are designed for many years of daily use. Therefore, you should not save on installation, especially if you are not ready to spend money on unscheduled repairs in six months or a year. Also note: if you want to buy horizontal blinds and not bother with their installation, it is best to entrust the chores to professionals.

Open mount:

• Common options: “Mini” / “Standard” / “Attic” (suitable for sash or frame, installation above the opening and structures with a complex configuration, respectively).
• For fixing, you will need high-quality guides with a hook, hangers, 2-sided mounting tape, or ordinary self-tapping screws.
• The diameter of the rotating shaft depends on the width of the woven fabric.
• To reduce the risk of frame deformation, heavy curtains require a strong support strip.

Closed mount

If you don’t know how to hang roller blinds in such a way as to decorate the mechanism, this option is best for you:

• Suitable for both plastic and wooden frames, therefore the widespread opinion about the “narrow specialization” of closed fastening should be considered erroneous.
• Oversized roll structures require the use of a large box and a reliable shaft of increased strength.
• Installing guides is not mandatory, but if you value reliability, you shouldn’t give them up.
• Make sure that the frame does not touch the window itself at any angle of opening the sash.