How to Install Deluxe Blackout Solar Shades

1. 1

   Gather your tools and keep them within reach.

2. 2

   When pre-drilling, use a 5/64" bit for screw holes into wall studs and headers, and a 1/4" bit for plastic anchors in drywall or plaster.

1. 1

   Hold each bracket against the window frame, molding or ceiling where it will go; the brackets are universal and can face left or right.

2. 2

   Mark where each bracket meets the mounting surface with a pencil.

3. 3

   Pre-drill the screw holes with a 5/64" bit (or a 1/4" bit for plaster anchors).

4. 4

   Screw the brackets in place.

1. 1

   Fit the spring-loaded pin on one end of the roller into the round hole of its bracket.

2. 2

   Push the spring-loaded tip into the bracket while inserting the hook arms on the other end of the shade into the matching holes of the opposite bracket.

3. 3

   Pull down until both hook arms lock securely into the bracket.

4. 4

   On a chain (cord control) shade, make sure the bottom of the clutch points straight down.

1. 1

   Slide a bracket cover over each bracket until it snaps into place.

The shade needs the safety cord guide installed to work properly. It ships attached to the chain and mounts to the window frame or wall.

1. 1

   Decide whether the guide fits best vertically, horizontally or at an angle; the U-shaped chain guide swivels to any position.

2. 2

   Adjust the chain so the guide sits at the bottom of the chain loop and hangs freely, without twisting or crossing the chain.

3. 3

   Compress the spring by hand until the chain moves freely through the U channel.

4. 4

   Place the guide tightly against the mounting surface and move it up at least 1/4" from that position.

5. 5

   Mark where the guide's base touches the surface with a pencil.

6. 6

   Pre-drill with a 3/32" bit, or a 1/4" bit for the provided drywall anchors in hollow drywall.

7. 7

   Secure the guide with two of the provided 1 1/4" screws through the holes in its base.

8. 8

   Check that the chain hangs loosely and the chain connector passes through the guide easily.

1. 1

   Pull the chain gently in one direction to raise the shade and in the other direction to lower it.

2. 2

   If the fabric rolls down against the window, the front chain raises the shade; if it rolls toward the room, the rear chain raises it.

1. 1

   To raise it, hold the center of the bottom hem, pull the shade away from the sill, and let it rise slowly without letting go until it reaches the height you want.

2. 2

   Pull gently down to stop the shade and lock it in place.

3. 3

   To lower it, pull straight down, then lock it in place the same way.

1. 1

   To increase tension, lower the shade about 18" from the top, take it off the brackets, roll it up the rest of the way by hand, and put it back in the brackets. Repeat as needed.

2. 2

   To decrease tension, raise the shade all the way, take it off the brackets, unroll it about 18", and put it back in the brackets.

• If the shade won't stay locked when pulled down, the spring is too tight.
• If the shade won't roll up, the spring is too loose.

Outdoor shades come with snap-together fasteners that hold the bottom of the shade in place in windy conditions.

1. 1

   Peel the cover from one side of each fastener and stick it to the bottom hem of the shade.

2. 2

   Peel the cover from the other side and press the fastener onto the window sill or wall.

3. 3

   If your shade has a decorative external hem bar, cut the fasteners in half lengthwise before attaching them to the hem bar.

1. 1

   Mount the brackets with the outer brackets no more than 2" from the ends of the headrail, spacing any extra brackets evenly.

2. 2

   For a wall or outside mount, use the rear bracket holes; for an inside ceiling mount, use the top bracket holes. Either way, the release tab goes on the bottom.

3. 3

   Rest the front panel of the headrail on the top lip of the brackets.

4. 4

   Push the bottom front of the headrail back toward the window until the back lip of the headrail pops into place on the brackets.

5. 5

   To remove it, insert a flathead screwdriver into the bottom rear of the headrail to release the locking tab, then gently twist to pry the bracket open while supporting the headrail so it doesn't fall.

1. 1

   Mount the brackets with the outer brackets no more than 2" from the ends of the headrail, spacing any extra brackets evenly.

2. 2

   For a wall or outside mount, use the rear bracket holes; for an inside ceiling mount, use the top bracket holes. Either way, the release tab goes on the top.

3. 3

   Rest the back panel of the headrail on the bottom hooks of all the brackets.

4. 4

   Push the front of the headrail up and toward the window until the groove at the top snaps into place.

5. 5

   To remove it, insert a flathead screwdriver into the top of the headrail to release the locking tab, then gently twist to pry the bracket open while holding the headrail so it doesn't fall.

1. 1

   Install the brackets using the holes on top of the bracket for an inside mount, or the holes on the back of the bracket for an outside mount.

2. 2

   Slide the groove at the back of the headrail into the bottom of the brackets.

3. 3

   Push the headrail forward and up until it snaps into the top of the brackets.

4. 4

   To remove the shade, push the cassette toward the wall, then pull it down.

5. 5

   If it doesn't release, push the cassette toward the wall, slide a flathead screwdriver between the bracket and the cassette, rotate the screwdriver, and pull the cassette away from the brackets.