Replace Cheap Vinyl Blinds with Chic Cordless Faux Wood Blinds
The Value trim package of our Mobile Home included WHITE cheap blinds, thin, easily bent and warped, the slightest breeze will bang them against our windows, leaving marks, not to mention the vinyl blinds are impossibly hard to clean. Needless to say, we decided early on replacing them would be a must and as soon as we found something suitable and affordable.
BEFORE
after
How to Remove Vinyl Mini Blinds
Super easy to remove, you could remove multiple blinds in less than an hour! You could donate the used blinds to a thrift store if allowed in your state, here in OR, we had to throw away the blinds because they consider the corded vinyl blinds to be a choking hazard.
Step 1 Raise the blinds all the way up
Drawing the blinds up will make it easier to remove them and undamaged too.
Step 2 Remove cover & open brackets
Snap off the cover or valence if you have one. The cover hides the brackets from view. Using a Butter Knife, Pry Bar or Painter’s Putty knife, pry open both brackets.
Step 3 Take blinds out of the brackets
With both hands holding the blinds in the middle, gently tug/slide the blinds out of the open-hinged brackets towards you. They should remove with ease.
Step 4 Uninstall the brackets
Inside of the square bracket, you should see 1 or more screws. With the Phillips head screwdriver unscrew each screw(s) as you hold onto the bracket. Remember to save the brackets in a ziploc bag if you plan to donate the blinds.
How to Install 2 in. Cordless Faux Wood Blinds
Step 1 Bracket Installation
A. Measure from the left and right edge of the inner window sill at the top and mark it with a line, between 3 1/8″ to 3 7/8″. I chose 3 1/2″ – as it was in the range and easy to find on the tape measure quickly. Measure the center of the inner window and mark it with a line.
B. Place the double-sided tape pieces on to the back of each bracket over where ‘TOP’ is indicated.
C. Press the bracket unto the upper inner window sill on your previously marked lines. Hold for several seconds. This will help as you’re trying to drive in the screws.
D. Set the screws into place mounting the brackets with a Power Drill or Impact Driver in one hand, while holding the bracket and screw in the other. This can be a tough task solo, it’s much easier with another person. I tried this first with a phillips head screwdriver tool, and it was very slow going and required a lot of pressure on the screw above my head to sink it into the wood window framing. Letting you know this, so if you don’t have a power drill, borrow or buy one!
Step 2 Install the Blind
Insert the top of the blind, into the brackets front side first such that the grooved side falls into the tongued part of the brackets. Once you’ve seated it into all three, press firmly over each bracket area on the blind’s top until you hear it ‘click’ into place. Repeat this for all brackets.
Step 3 Centering the Blind
Once the blind is installed, most likely it won’t be centered on the brackets and will need to be adjusted. Otherwise, you’ll have an uneven amount of light coming through on each side. I used a butter knife to pry the edge of the blind top cassette over until it was centered in the window.
Step 4 Insert the Wand
Push up the end of the wand into the dedicated slot until you hear a click.
Afterwards turning the wand will tilt the blind slats up to 45 degrees.
If you still see light creeping through at the top, just turn the wand more until it is darkened completely.
More interior remodeling posts
Behind the TUTORIALS
Hi, I’m Sarah
I’m a passionate DIY’er and Remodeling enthusiast. I’m the creator of Cheap to Chic Mobile Home and I’m committed to sharing my knowledge of renovation and building skills with you.
After volunteering as a builder with Habitat for Humanity for 10+ years and building my own 1200 sq ft Garage and 480 sq ft Tiny House from scratch, we have downsized our life into a 784 sq ft Single Wide Manufactured Home in a Mobile Home Park.
Join me as I learn, share my experience, and hopefully encourage/inspire you along the way!
