Mini blinds are very similar to standard venetian blinds except for certain tweaks. They are similar to the extent that they have horizontal slats and function similarly. However, mini blinds have thinner slats. Each slat in a mini blind is about half the size of a slat in a conventional venetian blind. In countries like the United Kingdom, mini blinds fall under the larger category of normal venetian blinds.
The thinner slats implies that you will have more of them when compared to any other type of blinds. The increased number of slats means better light control, privacy, prevention of exposure to sunlight and temperature control. Mini Blinds are worth the money and the ones made of out aluminium come highly recommended.
How do I fix any problems that I encounter with my mini blinds?
Most of the problems you might face with your mini blinds are standard problems that can be fixed quickly and easily. Your blinds may not be closing and opening properly or the cords might not function the way it is supposed to. Another problem is that they might not be hanging off the window frame perfectly. These problems can occur due to wear and tear of parts or the need to reattach them properly.
Before you go on with your business and take the mini blinds apart, make sure you do it only after the blinds have crossed the warranty period. If your mini blinds come with warranty, it is best that you let a professional take over. Also, if you start detaching the parts of the blinds you will (most probably) have breached your warranty clause depending on the policy and will not be able to take advantage of it. If the warranty period has passed or if you are confident that you don’t need it, by all means, follow the subsequent step by step process to figure out what is wrong with your mini blinds and how to fix them –
Disclaimer: Please follow these instructions at your own risk. ZebraBlinds takes no liability for any issues or damaged caused through following DIY methods. Since all blinds and shades are different, we always recommend checking with your blind manufacturer or retailer first before making any modifications to your blinds. As well, if you are uncomfortable on your own, look for the help of a professional.
Step 1 – The first order of business is to remove the blinds from the window frame. Start by lowering the mini blinds to farthest extent possible. Now, tilt the slats until all of them, in some fashion, are open.
Step 2 – Now that you have lowered the blinds and pushed the slats open, detach the mini blinds from their brackets and place them on a platform like your work table.
Step 3 – Now it’s time to figure out which parts of your mini blinds need fixing. Find the end caps and bottom rails of the mini blinds. Take the end caps and covers off. You will now have unfettered access to the knots and clips. These knots and clips hold the lift cords and the ladders in their position. With access to all the parts of the blind, your next step depends on which parts of the blinds need attention.
Step 4 – If you are having trouble figuring out which parts of your blinds need fixing, it is best you take some time off to understand the inner functioning of mini blinds. This would include all the different parts of the blind, what they do, what position they would have to be in and how they look. Look up a few videos and articles.
Step 5 – Slats are the most prominent part of the mini blinds. If they are damaged, it would be the easiest to notice, in which case, you can ignore Step 4 and move on to this step. To replace your broken slats, find the lift cords from the bottom rails and disconnect them. Now, slats are fastened to the rest of the structure in one of two ways, they are either clipped on or tied. Keep pulling the lift cords across the slats. Stop this when you are able to remove them. Take out only those slats that need to be replaced, and place the new ones in their position. Push the lift cords back (reversing the process) and ensure that the slats are taut.
Step 6 – Another problem you might encounter is a problem with the ladders of your mini blinds, such that you might want to replace them. Pull the cord through the slats until you reach the head box. Once you get there, detach the cords from the tilting mechanism. Now, gently get the ladders off each side of the slats. Place you slats finely into the new pair of ladders and reattach them to tilt tube and bottom rail. The next part of this step requires a little bit of caution. The lift cords need to be threaded through the slats. It has to be woven in and out of the rungs of the ladder. It is crucial to be precise with this step as it can affect the functioning of the blind.
Step 7 – Follow the instructions in this step if you want to replace your lift cord. With this step, make sure you have a video or diagrams for reference. First, pull the cords up in through the head box and once they are out completely kept them aside or dispose them. Gently push the new cords through the pulley-like mechanism and through the ladders. The lift cords need to be wound around the rungs for smooth functioning. After ensuring that the cords are secured, replace the end caps and the bottom cover.
Step 8 – This is a general step and needs to be followed regardless of what the problem with the mini blinds were. Adjust the bottom rail to double check if the blinds are level (after hanging them). Test the functioning of the blinds and see if they work correctly. If they do not, you will have to revisit one of the previous steps to check if you missed out on something. You can repurpose your old slats however you want. It is important however, to make sure that the disposal of the parts is done responsibly.
It is necessary that you familiarize yourself with all the parts of the blinds before you start removing and reattaching them. Thankfully, mini blinds and venetian blinds function quite similarly. This means that if you are already familiar with the way conventional blinds function, this shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. It might be fun to work with a family member or roommate and make this a group project. It is the right type of ‘Do It Yourself’ project. It is challenging but not impossible.
