Fit a roller blind inside the window recess in a solid brick or block wall

Fit a roller blind inside a brick or block window recess, from measuring the space to drilling brackets and fitting a child-safety cord device.

RB-01Measure the recess and check your kitMeasure the width of the recess at the top, middle and bottom — brick reveals are rarely perfectly square. Measure the depth too, so the bracket you've bought will actually clear the window handle or sill. Unpack the blind and check you have both brackets, the fixing screws, and the headrail. Lay a dust sheet on the sill and floor below, since drilling brick makes a mess.

1 each · Dust sheet

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1 each · Tape measure

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RB-02Mark the bracket positionsHold the headrail (or a bracket) up inside the recess about 20mm down from the top, so the blind sits close to the glass. Mark the screw holes on each side with a pencil. Use a spirit level across the recess to check both marks are level with each other, not just level with the sill — brick reveals are often slightly out of true.

1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Spirit level (250mm)

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RB-03Check before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere, including inside a window reveal, so run a detector over each mark first. Even with a clear reading, still expect something could be there — detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the normal safe zones. Find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before you drill.

RB-04Drill and fix the bracketsFor solid brick or block, drill with a 6mm masonry bit to a depth of about 35mm — go a little deeper than the plug so dust has somewhere to go. Blow or vacuum the dust out of the hole, then push in a 6mm wall plug flush with the surface. Drive in the screw supplied with the bracket kit until the bracket sits tight and doesn't rock. Repeat for the second bracket, then check both are still level.

1 each · Masonry drill bit 6mm

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1 pack · Wall plugs 6mm (pack)

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4 each · Screws (supplied with bracket kit)

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1 each · Drill

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RB-05Fit the blind and test itClip the headrail into both brackets — most roller blind brackets snap the tube in from the front or drop in from above. Pull the blind down and back up a few times to check it runs smoothly and doesn't catch on the sides of the recess. If it drags, loosen one bracket slightly and re-square it.

RB-06Fit the child safety deviceCorded blinds sold in the UK must be supplied with a safety device — a cleat, tensioner or breakaway connector — to stop the cord forming a loop a child could get caught in. Fit the cleat to the wall or window frame at a height out of reach of small children, following the maker's instructions, and wind the cord onto it when the blind isn't in use. Never leave the cord looped and loose.

RULES

1 each · Cord cleat or tensioner (usually supplied with blind)

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KNOW THE RULES

UK product safety rules require corded blinds to include a child safety device (cleat, tensioner or breakaway connector). Fit and use it — don't skip this step.

RB-07Tidy up and final checkVacuum brick dust from the sill and floor, and wipe down the recess. Give the blind a final few full up-and-down cycles to check the brackets stay tight and the fabric runs straight. Check the cleat is fitted and the cord is safely wound on.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner (use existing)

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PART OF A BIGGER PROJECT

Dress every window in a room · Turn a box room into a home office · Spare room to guest room in a weekend · Set up a nursery safely

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