Fit a venetian blind to a dot-and-dab plasterboard wall

Fit a venetian blind securely above your window, then test it opens and closes safely.

VB-01Check your blind and gather toolsUnpack the blind and check the headrail length matches your window recess or wall space. You'll need a drill, 6mm and 8mm masonry drill bits, a pilot bit, a spirit level, a pencil, a tape measure, and a screwdriver. Lay everything out so you're not hunting for tools halfway through.

1 each · Venetian blind kit (with brackets and screws)

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1 each · Masonry drill bit set (6mm and 8mm)

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VB-02Find your stopcock and check your fuses before you drillBefore drilling anything, 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. Use a cable and pipe detector to scan the wall above your window, but still treat the area as if something could be there — detectors miss cables in metal conduit, behind foil-backed plasterboard, or outside the usual safe zones. If you have any doubt at all, switch off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling near it.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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VB-03Mark and level your bracket positionsHold the headrail (or use the bracket spacing guide in the kit) against the wall or window recess and mark where each bracket needs to sit. Use a spirit level to check the marks are level across — even a few mm out will make the blind hang crooked. Fit a bracket every 600-700mm along the headrail, so a typical window needs three brackets rather than two.

VB-04Drill a test hole to check the cavity depthDot-and-dab plasterboard is fixed to the wall with blobs of adhesive, leaving a gap of anywhere from 10mm to 50mm before you reach the solid masonry behind. Drill a small pilot hole at one marked point and gently probe it with a thin screwdriver or a length of wire to find out how deep that cavity is. This tells you how long your final fixings need to be to reach solidly into the brick or block behind.

VB-05Drill the fixing holes through to the masonryDrill through the plasterboard and cavity with an 8mm bit, then switch to a masonry bit sized for your plug and drill on into the brick or block behind — at least 40mm into solid masonry, on top of whatever the cavity depth was. Use a hammer drill on a masonry setting for this last part, as ordinary rotary drilling won't cut brick cleanly. Clear the dust out of the hole with a blower or by tapping the drill bit in and out a few times.

VB-06Fit long fixings that bridge the cavityUse a long masonry wall plug or a dedicated dot-and-dab fixing that spans the full cavity gap and grips in the masonry behind, not just in the plasterboard skin. A standard 5x60mm plug and screw is often too short for anything over a 30mm cavity, so check your measured depth from step VB-04 and buy plugs 20-30mm longer than that. Push the plug in fully so its collar sits flush against the plasterboard.

6 each · Long masonry wall plugs (dot-and-dab, 70-100mm)

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6 each · Screws (matched to plug size)

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VB-07Screw the brackets in placeDrive the screws through the brackets and into the plugs, tightening until the bracket sits firm and doesn't wobble. Don't overtighten — this can crack the plaster skin around the hole or crush the plug. Check each bracket is still level before moving to the next.

VB-08Clip in the headrail and hang the blindLift the headrail into the brackets and press or clip it in following the kit's instructions — most snap into place, some need a small locking screw. Lower the slats fully and check the blind hangs straight and square in the window.

VB-09Fit the child-safety cord deviceUK safety rules require corded blinds to be fitted with a safety device, such as a cleat or a breakaway connector, that stops looped cords being a strangulation risk to children. Fit the cleat to the wall or window frame at a height out of reach of a small child, and wind the cord around it whenever the blind is left down. Most blind kits include this device — never leave a looped cord hanging free.

RULES

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

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KNOW THE RULES

Corded blinds sold and fitted in the UK must meet BS EN 13120 child safety requirements — fit the safety device supplied with the blind.

VB-10Test the blind and tidy upRaise and lower the blind a few times and tilt the slats to check everything moves smoothly. Vacuum up any dust from drilling and wipe down the wall and windowsill. Keep spare screws and any leftover fixings in a labelled bag in case you need to adjust the brackets later.

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