Fit a vertical blind to a solid brick or block wall

Fit a vertical blind headrail securely into solid brick or block above your window, using the right plugs and screws.

VB-01Clear the area and protect the floorMove any furniture away from the window and take down curtains or old blinds. Lay a dust sheet under the window to catch brick dust. Check the recess or wall above the window is free of paint flakes or loose plaster before you start.

1 each · Dust sheet

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VB-02Check the kit and decide bracket positionsUnpack the blind and check you have the headrail, end brackets, vanes and fixing screws. Hold the headrail against the wall or recess and mark the two end bracket positions with a pencil, keeping it level with a spirit level. Brackets usually sit 150-200mm apart for headrails under 1200mm wide, with a third centre bracket for anything wider.

1 each · Vertical blind kit (headrail, brackets, vanes)

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1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Spirit level

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VB-03Check for cables and pipes before drillingRun a detector over each marked point, but do not trust it completely. Cables can run in unexpected places, and metal-backed plasterboard or deep cable runs can fool a cheap detector. Find your stopcock first, 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 circuit at the consumer unit before you drill.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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VB-04Drill the fixing holesFit a masonry bit matching your wall plug size, usually 6mm or 7mm, into a drill set to hammer or rotary-only depending on your wall. Drill each marked point to a depth of 40-45mm, slightly deeper than the plug length, and clear dust as you go. Wear safety glasses, as brick dust flicks back at you.

1 each · Masonry drill bit 6mm

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1 each · Safety glasses

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VB-05Fit the wall plugs and screw on the bracketsPush a wall plug into each hole until it sits flush with the wall. Hold each bracket in place and drive a screw through it into the plug, checking the bracket sits level as you tighten. Do not overtighten, as this can crack a plug in old or soft brick.

1 pack · Wall plugs 6mm (pack of 25)

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1 pack · Screws 4mm x 40mm (pack of 20)

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VB-06Clip the headrail into the bracketsLift the headrail up to the brackets and clip or click it into place, following the catch design on your kit. Check it is level and give it a firm push to make sure it is fully seated. Test the track slides smoothly along its length before hanging any vanes.

VB-07Hang the vanesSlot each vane hanger into its carrier on the headrail, starting from one end and working across. Snap the bottom chain or weight bar onto the vanes if your kit has one, keeping it straight so the vanes hang evenly.

VB-08Adjust rotation, trim length and testTurn the control wand or chain to check the vanes rotate and draw smoothly together. If the vanes are too long, unclip them and trim from the bottom following the manufacturer's guide, then reattach. Open and close the blind a few times to check nothing catches on the sill or frame.

VB-09Tidy upVacuum up brick dust from the dust sheet and windowsill. Wipe the headrail and vanes with a dry cloth to remove fingerprints. Put spare screws and plugs somewhere safe in case you need to adjust the fit later.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner

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