Fit a roller blind inside the window recess in a timber stud wall

Learn to measure, fix brackets safely, and hang a roller blind neatly inside a timber stud window recess.

RB-01Gather your tools and check the kitUnpack the roller blind and check you have both brackets, the roller tube, the chain and the fixing screws. Lay out your tools: tape measure, spirit level, pencil, bradawl, cordless drill, and a stud or cable detector. Put a dust sheet down under the window to catch dust and dropped screws.

1 each · Roller blind kit (inside recess fit)

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1 each · Dust sheet

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1 each · Stud/cable detector

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RB-02Measure the recessMeasure the width of the recess at the top, middle and bottom - older stud walls are rarely square, so use the smallest figure. Measure the depth to check the brackets and roller tube will clear the window handle or a trickle vent. Order or trim the blind so it's about 5mm narrower than your tightest measurement, so it doesn't bind against the sides.

1 each · Tape measure

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RB-03Work out what's behind the recess liningRun a stud detector or magnet up the side of the recess. Timber studs give a steady hollow-to-solid sound as you tap along, and a line of screw or nail heads roughly every 400-600mm holding the plasterboard on. If you're not sure, drill a small 2mm pilot hole in a spot you'll cover with the bracket - pale wood dust means timber, fine grey swarf means you've hit a metal stud instead, which is very common in flats and newer builds.

RB-04Check for cables and pipes before you drillA detector helps, but it can still miss cables that run deep, in metal conduit, or behind metal-backed board, so treat every drilling spot as if something could be there. Before you start, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut the water off fast if you ever hit a pipe. If you have any doubt about what's behind this wall, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

RB-05Mark and level the bracket positionsHold a bracket 20-25mm in from each side of the recess, near the top, and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Use a spirit level to check both brackets sit level with each other before you commit to drilling. For blinds wider than about 1200mm, mark a middle support bracket too, following the kit instructions.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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RB-06Fix the brackets into a timber studDrill a 2mm pilot hole into the centre of the stud or timber recess lining, about 3mm shorter than your screw. Drive a 25mm woodscrew through the bracket and into the pilot hole until it's snug - don't overtighten, or you'll strip the wood. If a marked position lands on plasterboard between studs rather than on solid timber, use a plasterboard toggle or hollow-wall anchor rated for at least 5kg instead of a screw straight into board.

4 each · Woodscrews 25mm

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2 each · Plasterboard toggle fixings (5kg rated)

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RB-07Fix the brackets into a metal studNever use a plain plastic wall plug or an ordinary wood screw on a metal stud - it will strip straight through the 0.5mm steel and pull out. Use a self-drilling metal-stud screw, or a toggle-type hollow-wall anchor sized for the board thickness, driven through the bracket and into the stud or the plasterboard face. A lightweight roller blind bracket doesn't need a noggin, but if the position falls between studs on bare plasterboard, use a toggle rated for at least 5kg to be safe.

4 each · Self-drilling metal-stud screws

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2 each · Metal-stud toggle fixings

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RB-08Fit the roller tube into the bracketsClick the drive end of the roller tube into the bracket with the chain mechanism, then click the plain end into the opposite bracket. Pull the blind down slightly to check it's sitting square and turns freely without rubbing the sides of the recess. If it binds, loosen the offending bracket and nudge it a few millimetres before retightening.

RB-09Fit the chain safety deviceFit the chain tensioner or safety clip supplied with the kit, low down on the wall or reveal, well out of reach of any child or cot. UK safety standards (BS EN 13120) require corded blinds to include a device that stops the chain forming a loop, so fit it exactly as shown in the kit instructions, not as an optional extra. Check the chain runs smoothly through it once fixed.

RULES

1 each · Chain tensioner/safety clip (usually supplied)

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KNOW THE RULES

BS EN 13120 requires corded blinds to be fitted with a chain safety device to prevent a looped cord becoming a strangulation risk, especially where children may be present.

RB-10Test the blind and tidy upRun the blind fully up and down a few times to check it operates smoothly and sits level in the recess. Sweep or vacuum up any dust and screws from the sill and floor, and dispose of the packaging. Keep the fitting instructions in case you need to remove the blind for cleaning later.

1 each · Handheld vacuum or dustpan and brush

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