Broken Blinds – Quick Fixes for Handling Broken Blinds

Blinds are one of the most versatile window treatments, fulfilling several needs like light and privacy control apart from allowing us to adjust the outside views as per our preference. The best part about blinds is that they can be adjusted for sufficient privacy while simultaneously allowing in some amount of light during the day. At bedtime, they can be closed for complete privacy and to block all incoming light so you can enjoy a night of deep and restful sleep.

Blinds made from certain materials like real wood even offer insulation which results in considerable energy efficiency and cost savings. And they look great too, instantly elevating any space!

But their charm is easily reversed even if functionality is off. These window treatments typically function well but at times they pose problems like broken slats, slats tilting to one side or being stuck in the up or down position. Thankfully there are easy fixes for all these problems, so there’s no reason to worry! And of course, if you would like help in resolving any challenge posed by your blinds, Budget Blinds is just a phone call away.

Budget Blinds has compiled a guide of some helpful tips for resolving some of the most commonly faced challenges with blinds. Are you ready for some quick fixes? Let’s get started then!

Guide to Fixing Broken Blinds

Faux Wood Blinds in Dining Room

Some of the most commonly faced issues with blinds are: broken blinds, blinds that hang unevenly, blinds that won’t roll up, and many others. Regardless of the type of challenge your blinds are posing, here are some easy-breezy solutions:

Broken Slats

Fixing broken blind slats is comparatively easy as one can easily replace the individual slat instead of having to replace the entire window treatment. Follow the steps listed below to replace a slat:

  1. First remove the plugs located at the bottom of the rail. After removing the plugs, you’ll be able to see the knotted lift cord.
  2. Undo the knot of the lift cord and pull the cord from the front of the blind.
  3. Replace the broken slat and restring the lift cord through each slat in the new blind.

Slats Won’t Lower

Blinds can be easily pulled up to allow more light into the room. However, at times, they get stuck, making it difficult to lower them. This happens especially if the blinds are left in the rolled up position for an extended period. But there’s no reason to worry. This problem can be easily fixed by following the procedure listed below:

  1. Hold the lift cords level and gently pull it. This action should release the blinds’ locking mechanism.
  2. If step 1 doesn’t help release the lock, locate the pin and try to release it. You can release the pin by pushing it to disengage the locking mechanism on the cord, which is located in the headrail where the cord runs. Releasing the pin will release the blinds, lowering them immediately.

Blinds Won’t Lift

For maximum privacy and room darkening, blinds are often pulled down completely. But at times they get stuck and it gets difficult to lift them up. This problem especially occurs when the blinds have been left in the down position for a long duration. But fret not. It can be easily resolved by following a couple of simple steps enlisted below:

  1. Pull down on the bottom rail to reactivate the spring.
  2. The above action should help reset the spring which helps release the stuck up blinds and they can be lifted up easily.

Slats Won’t Tilt

Sometimes there’s a problem with the slats’ tilting mechanism. This happens when the tilt rod becomes disconnected from the tilt mechanism in the headrail due to handling in transit. Follow the following steps to resolve this issue:

  1. First remove the blind from the window.
  2. Then examine the headrail and try to locate the metal rod that runs the length of the headrail. At this point, you should also be able to locate the tilt mechanism. Gently push the end of the tilt rod back into the space where the tilt mechanism is housed. For a more secure tilt positioning, it’s best to push the tilt rod through.
  3. Finally you should be able to replace the blind.

Bottom of the Blinds Won’t Hang Evenly

At times the bottom of the blinds doesn’t hang evenly. This is caused by cords being caught in the headrail. This challenge can be easily tackled by performing the following step:

  1. Simply raise and lower the shades repeatedly until the bottom hangs evenly.

If you would like help in resolving any challenge posed by your blinds, all you have to do is you’re your local Budget Blinds. We would love to assist you!

Or if your blinds are beyond repair, consider replacing them with brand new window treatments from Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo, including motorized window coverings that are easier to operate. Schedule a complimentary in-home design consultation today to explore our latest offerings in shades, blinds, shutters, and draperies. We bring the showroom to you so you can browse in the comfort of your home and as per your convenience!

Call Pamela Today! 651-351-7620 or visit www.budgetblinds.com/stillwater

 

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Get a New Look This Year With Roller Shades from Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo

Roller Shades

Roller shades are available in a wide variety of colors and fabrics, our roller shades offer diverse light-filtering options for greater flexibility in light control.

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Choose from a variety of colors, styles, patterns, and opacity levels of roller shades from Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo. From sheer, light-filtering to complete blackout shades, you can customize any room in your home to suit your unique style and taste. While our custom roller shades are designed to make a statement on their own, they also pair beautifully with custom drapery.

Elevate Roller Shades With Enduring Style

Used separately or with complementary custom window treatments, our shades are available in a wide range of gorgeous fabrics, including grass-like weaves, and can be coordinated with most sliding panels. Plus, with roller shades from Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo,  your furnishings receive the UV protection you need without sacrificing your view to the outside.

  • Fabrics and weaves with a variety of opacities and textures offer a wide range of light-filtering options to suit any room.
  • Choose from over 100 styles with openness factors ranging from 1% to 25% that provide just the right amount of UV protection.
  • More than 240 decorative fabric options, from contemporary to classic, and in organic patterns and inspiring colors, ensure the perfect match for your décor.
  • Consider adding a custom cornice to bring freshness and style to your living space. With custom detailing and design, cornices give any room a much-needed facelift.
  • Our automated roller shades are a great choice for rooms with multiple windows or hard-to-reach windows. They also allow effortless remote control of your Budget Blinds roller shades and integrate seamlessly with your favorite smart home devices.
  • Choose from several colorful and decorative valances for a customized designer’s touch.
  • Select from multiple control options that include continuous-loop, smart-pull roller shades, and cordless-lift, which offer a clean look and are great for homes with children and pets.
  • Roller shades offer a modern, sleek look compared to most other window treatments. Call Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo at 651-351-7620 for roller shades in your home.

Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo does custom at a price that fits you. That’s why we say we have style and service for every budget. See for yourself — let us bring the showroom to your home!
call 651-351-7620

To stay up to date on design trends, schedule your free consultation or to request a design guide, reach out at pbrown@budgetblinds.com or visit my web page budgetblinds.com/Stillwater

-Pamela Brown

Make Your Guest Room Cozy for Holiday Visitors

The holiday season brings family and friends together for fun and quality time — but with that comes a need for a place to stay while they visit. Create a space that is unique and comfortable for your visitors. It’s the little touches that make guests feel welcomed and right at “home.” At Budget Blinds, we have a few simple ways to make your guests cozy this holiday season.

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Book your free in-home design consultation, today!

Easy Ways to Refresh Your Living Room

As an interior space likely to be the first room your guests will see, dress your living room windows and make a fashion statement with designer-inspired window coverings that complement your room’s décor.

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Optimize both safety and convenience with the touch of a button from our extensive line of home automation solutions.

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Layering blinds with drapery panels can create a more formal ambiance in your living space.

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Shutters offer a contemporary and streamlined appearance and bring timeless, artisan-style beauty to your home.

Going Back to the Basics

With the end of summer nearing and school starting up again, it’s the perfect time to focus your attention on framing your windows and your lifestyle beautifully with custom window treatments from Budget Blinds.

Cellular window shades, also known as pleated or honeycomb blinds, are a modern window treatment solution. Constructed of multiple small honeycomb cells within the shades, cellular shades offer excellent insulation and improve every room’s energy efficiency.

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While the kiddos go back to school, treat yourself to the convenience of motorized blinds that open and close at the touch of a button.
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Make sure you’re ready for family dinners by adding wood shutters that elevate your dining room beautifully.
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Layer drapes over window shades to give you additional energy-saving insulation and light control so you can take that well-deserved snooze.

New Year, New Eco-Friendly Window Treatments

Start 2019 with eco-friendly window treatments by Budget Blinds. With our vast selection, embracing sustainability with gorgeous window treatments has never been easier. We believe in finding the perfect marriage between style and promotion of a healthy environment. With eco-friendly window treatments, you can do your part in helping to preserve our natural resources and still be on-trend with innovative products. Take a look!
Hardwood Blinds

Through sustainable-yield forest management, the amount of wood harvested for our hardwood window treatments is below the levels of tree growth. Not only do they provide excellent privacy control, our wood blinds are a natural insulator that helps lower your heating and cooling bills, ensuring your home maintains comfortable temperatures throughout the seasons. They utilize renewable resources and environmentally-friendly forestry techniques without sacrificing style.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades, with their honeycomb-shaped cells, act as an insulator, and when combined or layered with other treatments and placed close to the glass, can reduce summer heat gain by as much as 45%. A wide range of opacity choices, from transparent to light-filtering, to room-darkening, allow you to customize natural light. And a vast selection of the latest fabrics and colors ensure a perfect match with your décor.

Woven Shades

Our woven natural shades from our Inspired Shades™ Collection are made from hemp, kenaf and flax, are 100% organic and environmentally-friendly, and completely recyclable! They allow for an operational roller shade on the back of the woven wood in solar, room-darkening, or light-filtering options that allow you to adjust the level of light and reduce heat gain from rising temperatures.

Bamboo Shades

From Roman style to a more streamlined flat style, bamboo shades combine the natural beauty of organic materials with inspired design for a refined, relaxed look to any room. These shades fuse eco-friendly materials, including bamboo, reeds, jutes and grasses, with a variety of designs that can be integrated into the perfect customized window treatment.


Start the New Year with new eco-friendly window treatments that are stylish and sustainable. We use 100% recyclable packaging when shipping our products, and most of our non-wood product components can be recycled as well. Most of our window treatments offer superb energy efficiency that help reduce dependence on electricity and natural gas for cooling and/or heating your home. Start your New Year’s shopping today with Budget Blinds! For more information contact your me today!

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS OF BUSINESS

 

 

Window treatments are more than just utilitarian objects, they are fashions for your home. Picking the right ones for your home doesn’t need to be a difficult process. Budget Blinds of Stillwater is locally owned and operated by interior decorator, Pamela Brown. Pamela has been proudly serving local homeowners and businesses by providing the highest quality of name brand window treatments and the largest selection of styles in the industry.

There is more to window décor than just picking a color. The window treatments you choose should be functional, make the right statement, be child and pet-friendly, and help with energy efficiency! To better understand which window treatments are best for each room in your house you must look at the material, functionality, design and overall measurements. “With me, you don’t lift a finger. I bring the store to you and take care of it all, measure and install. I believe everyone at every budget deserves style and service. And that’s a beautiful place to be!” Says Pamela.

“As an Interior Designer with over 18 years of experience, I stay relevant with modern industry trends, including innovative products like motorization and smart home automation, and bring valued knowledge to my clients. My expertise is in window treatments and I am passionate about style! I personally work with all my customers and assists them throughout the entire process – from design consultations to measuring, installation and the completed result. I love bringing style and practical, energy efficient window treatments to my clients.”

Avoid Major Mistakes with Budget Blinds

Hiring Pamela helps you avoid major mistakes that can happen if you try to do it yourself like:

  • Mismeasurements
  • Safety issues
  • Not a custom-fit
  • Incorrect window treatments for the windows
  • Design and color correction/assistance

With Budget Blinds you are guaranteed a custom-fit in three ways:

  • Precise measurements mean every window covering will fit perfectly
  • Our design expertise ensures you will have the style that best suits your individual style
  • We can custom-fit any budget with our wide range of high-quality products

Budget Blinds has provided window covering design and installation expertise for HGTV’s Buying & Selling with the Property Brothers, the W Network’s Love It or List It, PBS’ This Old House, the Marc & Mandy Show in Canada, and NBC’s George to the Rescue.

If you want the best in custom window coverings for your next window project, Budget Blinds of Stillwater is your answer. Call 651-351-7620 today or go online to budgetblinds.com and let’s get in touch! I will be offering 45% off for the remainder of September.

-Pamela Brown

 

Get Smart, Get Smart Shades

Today, everything is SMART and your home should be no exception. Budget Blinds, North America’s #1 provider of custom window coverings and the most established name in smart home technology are the smartest choice out there. Now, opening and closing your shades with the touch of a button is easier than ever— talk about convenience! Automated window coverings offer many benefits. They reduce the wear and tear that comes from manual operation and can be set on timers to open and close at your preferred time of day. With various automated options from Budget Blinds, you can feel confident you are getting the best window coverings available. Here are a few reasons why Smart Shades should be added to your home décor:

Energy Savings

Program your window coverings on timers to open and close at specific times of the day to save on energy costs. Energy-efficient window coverings provide effective insulation, offering your home increased protection against heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer.

Safety

It is important to not overlook basic household items such as window coverings when child proofing your home.  Automated window coverings eliminate the need for dangling cords so they are both kid-friendly and pet-safe.  Making window treatments safer for homes with infants, toddlers, children, and pets is one of Budget Blinds’ top priorities.

Security and Privacy

Timers allow you to open and close your window coverings on a predetermined schedule when you’re home or on vacation. Giving an outside impression as though someone is home at all times. In addition, privacy is just a click away with Smart Shades. They offer complete privacy even with the hard to reach windows. Control the amount of privacy you want in your home with automated window coverings — you won’t be disappointed!

UV Protection

Automated shades prevent harmful UV rays from entering the room. Program your window coverings to close when the sun is shining bright to keep fabrics, rugs, upholstery and artwork from fading.

Convenience

Finally, what’s better than convenience? Smart Shades transform a room’s lighting and ambiance at the touch of a button. Making it super easy to lower and raise at your leisure. Monitor and control lights from your smart device no matter where you are or create personalized lighting schedules that change with the seasons.

Choose from a wide array of control options such as wireless wall switches, hand-held remotes and timers, and apps that allow you to control from your Smart device. Whether you prefer blinds, shades, or drapes, all popular Budget Blinds window coverings can be automated. To learn more about automated window coverings, reach out today!

-Pamela Brown

 

Introducing: A Simple. Reliable. Smart Home.

Imagine coming home after a long day at work to find your home warmly lit. The shades have been drawn and the temperature is perfect, just how you like it. Your home has prepared itself for you so you can immediately start enjoying a relaxing evening. All you had to do is arrive.

Home automation technology allows you to control things like lighting, temperature, window coverings and other home functions all with the touch of a button. This technology is a luxury and until recently, it has not been a luxury the average home owner could afford.

“Budget Blinds® and Lutron® has made home automation affordable and easy to use,” said Pamela Brown, owner of Budget Blinds serving Stillwater for the past 11+ years. “Normally when you start to look at home automation with window coverings for most homeowners it’s not really an affordable option; now it is.”

Lutron’s Smart Home is a simple home automation system that allows you to control and schedule your window coverings, lighting and thermostat all through a touch of a button. You can control it with a remote or wall control, or through the Smart Home application on your smart device. If you have an iPhone, you can control the system with voice commands. “Before I would chuckle when a customer would ask me for shades that will close when you verbally command to, but now its here! Just ask your friend, Siri to draw the window shades or turn dim the lights.” The system is programmed to recognize your smart device as you approach your home and it will set your preferred home ambience before you even walk through the door.

“Budget Blinds works with both the natural and artificial lighting part of the Smart Home system and having automated window coverings will make you never want to live without them,” said Brown. “You can set your window coverings to your time zone so they will rise and lower according to the daylight hours. People use this system to set their shades to come up at a certain time in the morning and use the natural light to wake them instead of an obtrusive alarm.”

Having smart shades can also enhance your home’s security. You can set them to rise and lower at appropriate times when you are on vacation, making it appear as though someone is at home. Or, operate them from any part of the world at any time you wish!

The Lutron cellular and roller shades are cordless, making them safe for children and pets. They’re very energy efficient and available in a wide variety of materials colors. The shades are operated by a battery that lasts up to five years and is nearly soundless. You will barely hear that your window coverings are moving. Automated shades will be set to move at the same speed so all of your window coverings lower or rise evenly and rest at the same level.

“These features are so luxurious to have in your home. I compare it to having a smart phone. We didn’t have smart phones years ago and didn’t know what we were missing, but now that we have them and use them so much we see how the technology benefits our daily lives and we can’t imagine going back to not having them.” Said Brown. “Home automation is the same thing. It’s not something you think you need at first but once you have it life at home feels so pleasant and you’ll be so grateful you did it.”

The Lutron technology leads the industry. Not only was the company the first to invent the light dimmer in the late 1950s, they have invested hundreds of lighting control devices and systems and have led innovations in window shade technology using wireless and wired systems to control both daylight and electric light.

“People love this technology. It is so accessible, convenient, easy to use and can really add value to your home life,” shared Pamela.

For more information on the Budget Blinds and Lutron Smart Home integrated home automation system, contact Budget Blinds in Stillwater at www.budgetblinds.com/Stillwater

Hurry! As Pamela is currently having a 45% off everything sale til the end of September!

Budget Blinds – What to Expect!

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Budget Blinds – Professional Measuring

The number one concern when hiring someone to take control of your next window coverings project is measuring. It can be nerve-racking putting your trust into someone else’s hands, but truthfully, it is the best decision you can make (saves you time, money AND confusion!)

Budget Blinds of Stillwater is an excellent choice for your window treatments because not only will you have window covering professionals who come to you and get the job done right BUT you can also guarantee that your window treatments will be 100% customized, fit and tailored to your specific windows. Seamless, flawless, perfection – and total peace of mind 🙂

Leave it to the Experts

Our Style Consultants at Budget Blinds of Stillwater are not only trained in window coverings, they have the latest knowledge on trending products and are well-trained professionals when it comes to measuring. You might think measuring your windows is a do-it-yourself kind of project (which it totally can be) BUT it requires design experience, measuring skills, installation talent, and more! When you hire Budget Blinds of Stillwater you are hiring an interior designer, a professional advocate and an expert in the field (did I mention peace of mind? ;))  Hiring us will definitely eliminate the costs of first-time mistakes, time spent doing and redoing the job, and ensure a personal level of satisfaction with the final result. Not to mention, it can actually be fun too! We come to you, in the comfort of your home, on your time.

Budget Blinds consultation

Avoid Major Mistakes with Budget Blinds

Hiring Budget Blinds of Stillwater helps you avoid major mistakes that can happen if you try to do it yourself like:

  • Mismeasurements
  • Safety issues
  • Not a custom-fit
  • Incorrect window treatments for the windows
  • Design and color correction/assistance

Avoid Mismeasurements

A mismeasurement is the number one mistake that people make when trying to measure a window themselves. It seems like a simple task to accomplish, but when you are measuring for a certain window treatment there are different techniques that are used to get the correct fit. The Golden Rule when it comes to measuring is to remember not all windows are created equal. Even though all the windows may look the same there is a good chance that they don’t have the exact same measurements. One mismeasurement can throw off the whole window treatment, causing you to have a window shade that doesn’t open or close correctly. With measuring you also have to consider factors like inside or outside mount that can make a huge difference when you get ready to install your treatment.  If you take measurements for an inside mount when you actually wanted an outside mount, you will have to settle for a window covering that is not ideal. Save yourself time and money and hire a Budget Blinds expert to avoid major mistakes.

Woman measuring window

Safety

Safety is key when it comes to measuring your windows because no one wants the pain of being injured or worse, inevitably creating a fire/child hazard! Many measurements require a ladder for proper and accurate measuring. Ladders can cause inconveniences, especially if you don’t have the right size ladder. Typically every household has a step-ladder or a five or six-foot ladder which will not help when you need to reach really tall or higher up windows. In that case, you will have to rent or buy an extension ladder that can be pricey, hard to transport and dangerous if you are inexperienced when it comes to ladder safety.  This is why it is just safer and more convenient for you to call a Budget Blinds professional to measure all your windows, eliminating the possibility of injuries 🙂

Man measuring window

Not a Custom-fit

If you are looking for a truly custom-fit for your window treatment it is crucial for you to hire a professional.

With Budget Blinds you are guaranteed a custom-fit in three ways:

  • Precise measurements mean every window covering will fit perfectly
  • Our design expertise ensures you will have the style that best suits your individual style
  • We can custom-fit any budget with our wide range of high-quality products

What Else to Expect with Budget Blinds

Budget Blinds wants you to have the best experience when it comes to choosing custom window coverings. We strive to provide you with superior service from beginning to end. Budget Blinds will give you an exclusive combination of design-driven products, expert service, no-surprises pricing, and our no-questions-asked warranty*: the best in the business! It seems like a no-brainer right? Remember that we not only work on residential, but also commercial businesses too! We can customize anything!

If you want the best in custom window coverings for your next window project, Budget Blinds of Stillwater is your answer. Call 651-351-7620 today or go online to budgetblinds.com and let’s get in touch!!