Mounting your Roman shades in the interior style is a good option if you have strong window frames that can bear the weight of the heavy shades. An interior mount also gives a more finished look, and it doesn’t cover up the top of the window-frame molding.
If you’re using an exterior mount, you won’t need to check that the frame itself is level, since you won’t be attaching the shade to the frame.
A shim is a thin, angled piece of wood that will make the ceiling level when nailed in place. You can purchase shims at any hardware store or home-improvement store. Once the window frame is level, snap off the ends of the shims that are sticking out past the end of the frame. Then, use your hammer to reattach the molding around the window frame. You should be able to stick the nails back in the same holds that you pried them out of earlier.
Note that if the headrail is longer than the window frame is wide, you must use an exterior mount.
For example, say that the headrail measures 24 inches (61 cm) long. To find the locations for the brackets, measure in 3 inches (7. 6 cm) on either side. So, you’ll place 1 mark at the 3 in (7. 6 cm) point and another at the 21 in (53 cm) point. Once you’ve marked the locations for the brackets, you can erase the light markings that indicated the endpoints of the headrail.
Then, repeat the process, holding the bracket up in the second bracket location that you marked earlier. Use a pencil to marking the 2 locations where you’ll insert screws to hold the second bracket in place.
If you didn’t drill pilot holes, the screws used to hold up the brackets would splinter the wood.
Use the brackets and screws that came with your Roman shades for installation. This makes installation more convenient and cheaper than if you had to buy new screws from a hardware store. Different brands of Roman shades may have slightly different installation methods. If you get confused, follow the specific directions that came with yours.
At this point, the shades should be secured in the frame. If you need to remove them at a later date, just give a sharp tug in the direction opposite the way you slid them into position.
These head screws will prevent the headrail from popping out of the bracket if you give the cord too sharp of a tug.
If the 2 measurements differ by over 1⁄2 in (1. 3 cm), your windows aren’t square and you need to use an external mount. Exterior mounts are helpful if you would like to make a window appear larger than it really is. An external frame is also the best option if you have walls made of a strong material, like wood, brick, or concrete. Also use an exterior mount if your window frame is worn or splintering and would like to cover it up.
Large Roman shades used in an exterior mount may have multiple metal brackets to support the shades’ weight. In this case, the additional brackets will be spaced evenly within the space between the 2 edge brackets located 3 inches (7. 6 cm) in. Mark these locations on the frame or wall as well.
If your Roman shade headrail comes with multiple loose brackets, space them evenly over the top of the shade.
These screws and fasteners should be included with the Roman shade when you purchase it. If not, you can purchase them from a hardware store.
Carbide is a type of coating that manufacturers put on the tip of steel bits to make them carbide bits. Carbide bits are sharper than ordinary steel bits, and will retain their sharpness even after drilling through concrete or brick.
Unless parts are missing from the shade-installation kit, you shouldn’t need to purchase any additional brackets or screws. If you are installing your Roman shade in material other than wood, you will need different types of screws or fasteners. For example, you will need to use hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts if you are hanging Roman shades in plastic or drywall.
In some sets of shades, you may need to snap the headrail into place first and then snap the shades into the headrail once it’s in place. To remove the headrail at a later date, tilt the headrail downward and give it a sharp tug out and away from the wall.
If you’ve opted for a set of cordless Roman shades, you can raise and lower the shades simply by grasping the handle behind the shade and raising or lowering it to the level you’d like it to be at. [18] X Research source
