How Blinds Work: Horizontal Blinds

Рет қаралды 316,733

Күн бұрын

Before repairing blinds, it’s helpful to know how they work. Learn what's happening in your blinds when you lift, lower, and tilt the slats.
This video was created by Jared Owen Animations. Check out more videos about how stuff works on his channel: / jaredowen
Buy parts mentioned in the video:
Valance Clips: bit.ly/2HhQPIw
Lift Cord and String: bit.ly/2HrgLlh
Cord Locks: bit.ly/2Hk3afm
Tilt Mechanisms: bit.ly/2HhtNSa
Drums: bit.ly/2HhuT0e
String Ladder: bit.ly/2HljigL
There are two main functions on horizontal blinds: lifting & lowering and tilting. First, this video demonstrates the lifting and lowering, explaining where the lift cord is tied off. We follow the path the cords travel and see exactly how the cord lock pinches the cords in place, holding the blinds in the up position. Next, we look inside the tilt mechanism, revealing the gears that tilt the slats open and closed. Find out how the tilt mechanism works to move the string ladder to tilt the slats. Fixing horizontal blinds is easier once you see how all of the parts work together.
Venetian blinds, wooden blinds, mini blinds, 2" blinds, and faux wood blinds are all different types of horizontal blinds. Standard horizontal blinds use lift cords and a tilt mechanism to operate, but can also be made with a cordless or motorized system. This video only demonstrates the standard lift system.
Visit Fix My Blinds for replacement parts and repair guides for all types of blinds: www.fixmyblinds.com/?...
Video ID: 101010

Пікірлер: 149

@saram263 Жыл бұрын

Love the high quality animation and the thoroughness of the explanation

@craigchinembiri5802 3 жыл бұрын

Lived in a house for years without knowing to use these. Finally pissed me off enough to search it up..thanx for the video

@leahrrhodes 4 жыл бұрын

OMG Thanks so much for this video. I've been sitting here for 30 minutes trying to figure out how to close these blinds!

@DanRudy 2 жыл бұрын

I second this! Mine were stuck at the top, and half a dozen other videos were of no help. These mechanism visuals made everything clear.

@wandel.1202 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU SO MUCH OMG! I’m laughing at myself at how much time I spend fighting with these blinds , only to watch this and I got them down in a one second! Whew thanks again

@pinefilms3141 5 ай бұрын

WWOWWWW!!! I never understood how to lift/unlift the blinds but it's so simple, incredible animation + commentary!

@solostrings4056 2 жыл бұрын

After learning the mechanism I was able to identify that my strings were getting tangled which created a thick multi wire lump that was catching on the little grippy thing! Got that untangled and now we’re good! Tysm!

@weit8136 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Fantastic video - clear, easy to understand and very informative.

@JasonParkers 5 жыл бұрын

I've been in the blind game for 20 years. This is the best explanation for my clients ever! Thank you.

@nicholsonjf 2 жыл бұрын

Damn 20 years? You must have some stories…

@AnanduUnnikrishnan 3 жыл бұрын

Really well made. Thanks for sharing!

@kurtfisher1379 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This was a great, clear, simple explanation that allowed me to get my blinds working again.

@rehanachoudhury2800 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! For someone who knows nothings about how blinds work, this is a great explanation!

@TheMistryMaker 10 ай бұрын

This actually was a thorough and clear explanation to even how to use the blinds. This helped me a lot moving in my first dorm in University 😅

@hiitsmeagian1 3 жыл бұрын

well produced, and good voice over, thank you

@thienhuong528 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing . very detail and easy understanding . very useful. 🤗🤗🤗

@jakedillingham 11 ай бұрын

That was an excellent presentation thank you very much I wish all presentations were like this.

@alifhidayat5458 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Very much for this useful information

@olliec1319 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Really helpful, thank you.

@UniverseSinking2011 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a very clear and informative video!

@ConsiderItHealth Жыл бұрын

This was a great video! Beautifully explained!

@FGold-dw5hg 3 жыл бұрын

One of my lift strings broke and I had no idea what the repair would entail. This video explained very well and very clearly. Thank you for making this!

@Fee_V 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this! Went to clean my window and the cord that raises the blinds broke free. Really helped being shown how the whole thing actually works and was able to re-string. Awkward as hell but,eventually, successful.

@marlinavila2242 2 жыл бұрын

Best video ever helps to know the mechanics of the blinds 1st, then you can fix your issue.

@dogsbyfire Жыл бұрын

Awesome video! Thank you so much.

@marthameyer7918 Жыл бұрын

What a great explanation! Thank you!

@crystalchaung1576 Жыл бұрын

That is cool how it was made so that the middle string is the one that becomes the length. I wanted to know how the strings could be pulled through if they were anchoring the slats. Thanks.

@vince7735 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent graphics and narration.

@jenniferh6813 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've had to use this type of blind for years, both at home and at work, and have NEVER understood how the wretched things work! I'm always breaking them and usually end up replacing them, because I have no idea how to fix them. I look at the tangle of cords, or the loose broken bits of cord hanging there, then at the apparently highly complicated components on the head rail - and they might just as well be parts from Humpty Dumpty, because they are a complete mystery to me and I have no idea how to put them together again! (Heck, I didn't even know that the head rail was called a head rail.) I've lost count of the number of blinds that I've broken through not understanding how to pull the cords, tried and failed to adjust, taken down and gazed despairingly at the mechanism and then given up and forked out for replacements. Knowledge is power. Thank to this brilliant video, I now at least understand how the blinds work, or, as is often the case with mine, DON'T work. :-) So I hope that I'll break fewer of them and that I might even be able to buy the relevant parts and fix the less uncooperative ones. A thousand thanks!

@beccaifum6717 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much ,these helped me a lot!

@NotSoLiberal 4 жыл бұрын

This is really good!

@wallsmartsme 2 жыл бұрын

I just got out of a nursing home and moved to an apartment. Every window has blinds. I didn't know how to raise or lower them. This video explains it perfectly! Thanks a lot!

@WistfulWalrus 3 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!! My blinds have been suck at the top for months and I finally decided to fix it, learning how the mechanism works because of this video I was able to fix it myself easily! It took like 5 minutes, wish I had found this video sooner. Thanks!!!

@zyphyus2030 3 жыл бұрын

great help on the video, thx rlly appriciate it

@Cryo837 3 жыл бұрын

I now understand how my horizontal blinds work 100%. You really know your stuff and you are an excellent teacher/communicator. THANK YOU!!!

@ilirvesho9323 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thank you.

@queenrose4476 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video, it was so helpful. I spent two days to close my kitchen window but I couldn’t fixed it. But this morning I did it because of your video. Thanks so much

@oli230 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. Thank you so much. Now I can go fix my non tilting blinds with some understanding.

@arnedac9399 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this video God Bless you.

@TheNewbedroom Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for a nice simple explanation! I can’t wait to see if my blinds work properly now 🙂

@odysseusbaltazar814 Жыл бұрын

That background jam though! 🔥🔥🔥

@lolpol56 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video.

@zzyyxxmary 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much.

@Tammy-uu6vw 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. You make it so easy

@szabotage 2 жыл бұрын

This is the best instructional video I've ever seen on YT.

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! We were happy to sponsor Jared Owen in the making of the this video. His channel has dozens of other videos about how things work. kzfaq.info/love/bsfyGlrjrKQC0gbzK0-EiA

@chameehasee Жыл бұрын

simple explain though after hard work, thanks

@TOMA-mr9dy Ай бұрын

Deserves more views and likes!

@colling0711 Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@David-kg5nn 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this! Now to get back to fixing my blind's pull chord...

@jomzskie4830 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@mamtazgazi3706 3 жыл бұрын

many many Thanks.

@balajivenkat5914 4 жыл бұрын

you made my day

@4rg3s 2 жыл бұрын

So helpful!

@bootystank23 4 жыл бұрын

Why does this help so much?

@latifahtoure6372 Жыл бұрын

Thanks you so much 🎉

@Kwwtq8.weghhjk 2 жыл бұрын

that helped a lot thanks a million

@sammychristie5635 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much I was able to fix my blinds!!

@jupiter9399 3 жыл бұрын

thanks this helped

@markballard1515 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I was easily able to solve my problem after watching this video.

@Giolsterx 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@KynnedyMoore03 3 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU

@kamrienproctor6206 3 жыл бұрын

Thank goodness

@blkkrose 4 жыл бұрын

Perfect instructions 😊. Ty...

@DBZisThebest 10 ай бұрын

Thankyou!

@jasonito6766 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the part about the small roller. My blinds do not catch the roller when angled to the left so now I just push the roller up with a pen. Was this really the best design that they could come up with?? I swear it pisses off so many people.

@PiusNyamora 4 жыл бұрын

Good video. Do you have a video on how to fix or reattach the metal hook that attaches the tilt rod to the gear mechanism?

@fixmyblinds 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Pius, we do not have a video on that, but a graphic. If you'd like to email us at service@fixmyblinds.com, I can get you a picture of how those parts fit together.

@mikey38632 3 жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure the song is "This Little Light of Mine", the beginning certainly sounds like it.

@cherylbrantley3398 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I got the blinds working again. I just needed to understand how they work.

@nigeldavies8900 3 ай бұрын

Thx just was able to fix my blind.

@justicetroupe3424 3 жыл бұрын

thank youuu!

@fotpjusto457 2 жыл бұрын

Best video on KZfaq

@johnk3418 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! Does it eventually fray your cord if you open the blinds by pulling the cord down in the direction of the rough textured roller?

@fixmyblinds 4 жыл бұрын

Hi John, No, it doesn't. The rough roller moves out of the way when you unlock the blinds so that the cords can move freely.

@vaishalisingh4321 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 🤟🏻

@VexPez 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for that, blinds all sorted now

@lala-kc3br 4 жыл бұрын

I COULD HAVE WENT ALONG MY 4 AM WITHOUT KNOWING THERE'S A WHOLE KZfaq CHANNEL ABOUT BLINDS

@jonathanbashala1022 6 ай бұрын

Thanks 😅🙌🏿

@TerryByrdJr 4 жыл бұрын

I did that and pulled the whole thing down 😂🤦🏽‍♂️ the anchors and screws came out of the wall and everything 😐🤬

@khalenamnathvong7622 3 жыл бұрын

Same how do i fix it

@barbaramurawski2424 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video I was out of my mind to figure out how to lover the blinds

@aaronying4989 2 жыл бұрын

I have been so frustrated trying to figure out my blinds lol. Thanks

@khushiimalik 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. Now I know why they were stuck. Haha

@johnshipps441 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! I have aluminum mini blinds in a large window. It has 5 of the lift strings. Why does it squeak so loud when I raise them? Anything I can do to fix or minimize the squeaking? I’m afraid to spray WD40 in the roller for fear it could ruin the strings or something.

@fixmyblinds 3 жыл бұрын

Hey John, Thanks for your question. I'd support the bottom rail of the blinds when you pull them up; that may help to minimize the noise. Or, the cord lock mechanism may be wearing out and need replacement. We do not recommend using WD40 in your blinds. How old are these blinds?

@johnshipps441 3 жыл бұрын

@@fixmyblinds Thanks for your reply! It’s a rental home so I don’t know the actual age of the blinds, but I’d guess at least 5, maybe 10 years old. Is there a way to lubricate the roller if that’s what’s squeaking?

@fixmyblinds 3 жыл бұрын

You could try a very small bit of silicone lubricant. Otherwise, you may need to consider replacing the cord lock mechanism. If you'd like to email us some pictures of your blinds, please send them to service@fixmyblinds.com.

@mackenzieskyler5216 2 жыл бұрын

Whoever invented the blinds must be a genius 😄 Awesome video. 👌

@jeanwernette8124 Жыл бұрын

The wand on my horizontal blinds is a little hard to turn. I am wondering if I should oil the wand mechanism to prevent it from breaking down?

@fixmyblinds Жыл бұрын

Hi Jean, you can try that, but when the wand is hard to turn, it usually means that the tilt mechanism needs to be replaced because it's failing. Check out this page to determine which replacement part you need: fixmyblinds.com/collections/tilt-mechanism-buying-guide.

@jamescc2010 2 жыл бұрын

What component should I check if the blinds stuck on the top and wont come down?

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Great question! If the blind is stuck in the up position, you many have a jammed cord lock. Some heavier and larger blinds can get stuck if they are pulled up very tightly. To help release the cord lock, place your hand on the middle of the bottom rail and push up while simultaneously trying to unlock the blind cord. Usually, this extra support does the trick. If that still doesn’t work, you can manually disengage the cord lock. To do this, carefully remove the blind from the window and lay it on a flat surface. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the locking mechanism to separate the rollers.

@brendaolgers8655 Жыл бұрын

How do you know which cord lock goes with your blind ? My blind was manufactured by Rica Blinds for J.C. Penmy's probably arou😊nd 2005 or 2006

@fixmyblinds Жыл бұрын

Hi Brenda, We match up cord locks by size/shape/measurements. Please take a look at this webpage to see if we have a match lock: fixmyblinds.com/collections/wood-faux-venetian-blind-cord-locks. Or, feel free to send us a few pictures of your cord lock, and we will let you know if we have a replacement. Our email is service@fixmyblinds.com.

@MoneyMan28 Жыл бұрын

Best Invention

@JWHealing 2 жыл бұрын

I have cordless horizontal blinds from Home Depot. One of them only lifts a little now. It tilts fine, but won't lift. There are three lift strings spaced out in the blinds and the middle lift string has gotten pulled so tight that it has pulled through the slats and is near the top and won't come down much. I don't know if that's why the whole blind won't lift. Is there a video to help me with this? I took the blind down and tried to understand the mechanisms but it's all packed in so tightly I didn't know where to start to disassemble & fix. Also, is there a brand that is more sturdy in a home with three mischievous cats, or a brand that is at least easier to repair? Hoping to fix but may need to replace so just wondering.

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Janet, When off-the-shelf cordless blinds stop working, the only solution is to replace them. There's no way to repair or service the internal spring mechanisms. Buying from a brand-name company like Hunter Douglas or Graber gives you a much better chance of being able to repair them when things go wrong. This video goes over some blind types that work well with curious cats. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMmDeZR1qbqrpqs.html

@JWHealing 2 жыл бұрын

@@fixmyblinds Man you guys are awesome. I REALLY need this info! I also emailed you guys and you said that the cordless ones are hard to repair too, so I'll go w/Hunter Douglas or Graber corded, right? I'll watch that video too!

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

You can go with corded blinds, but cats love those strings. I'd be sure to keep them tied up with a cleat. Or maybe consider a roller shade or something else? There are a lot of options on the market these days!

@JWHealing 2 жыл бұрын

@@fixmyblinds Yeah my husband has his heart set on horizontal blinds so we'll just tie up the cords. If it were up to me we'd just do curtains. :-) so that cleat thingie, what is that?

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Either would be a great choice! New corded blinds should come with cord cleats. There is some basic information about cleats included on following page. fixmyblinds.com/products/plastic-cord-cleats-small.

@fefalukban5073 3 жыл бұрын

Knowing first how blinds work it’s easy to do the next steps😊

@shug6645 2 жыл бұрын

Not all heros wear capes 🙌🏾

@Green-sg2td 4 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU SO MUCH NOW I CAN SHUT MY BLINDS SUBBED

@PastaSauce. 2 жыл бұрын

I’m dog sitting in somebody else’s house and I’ve been trying to work their blinds for an hour 😭 Thank you do this! If they was my blinds they would have been in the garbage by now.

@msdemeanour 2 жыл бұрын

So how do you get them to come back down when they are stuck? I HATE these blinds!

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Try pushing up on the middle of the bottom rail with your hand while unlocking the strings at the same time. The extra support usually helps unstick the lock when they are raised up tightly.

@sacdigitaldesignweb 2 жыл бұрын

My small roller won’t come down so my blinds is permanently stuck. I used screw driver to release it but it gets stuck again.

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Thomas, That could be because the string is fraying and needs replacement or the cord lock is worn out and needs replacement. We sell the parts and string on our website at www.fixmyblinds.com. If you need help match up the parts, please email us at service@fixmyblinds.com.

@sacdigitaldesignweb 2 жыл бұрын

@@fixmyblinds thanks! I think it’s cord lock issue. I did go to your website and but didn’t know which one I should order. I’ll take some pics and send to you tomorrow. The blinds is 40 by 80. Very heavy!

@tylerwinkle323 4 ай бұрын

it's magic

@lyndseysoliday2266 4 жыл бұрын

I have four strings and idk what to do

@fixmyblinds 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Lyndsey - Are you restringing your blinds? We are happy to help with that if you have additional questions. Please reach out to us at service@fixmyblinds.com.

@carlybennett2861 2 жыл бұрын

My blinds are stuck up and won’t come down. Even when the small roller is down. I’ve tried to use a screw driver but they’re still stuck. What do I do??

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Carly, When you're trying to unlock the blind, put your hand on the middle of the bottom rail and push up. Taking the weight off of the strings usually does the trick.

@carlybennett2861 2 жыл бұрын

@@fixmyblinds thank you. I’m sorry I don’t know much about blinds, what is the bottom rail?

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Carly - The bottom rail is just the very bottom of the blinds, the piece that sits on the window sill when the blinds are down all the way. It's letter "O" on this diagram: fixmyblinds.com/pages/wood-faux-wood-venetian-blind-diagram.

@carlybennett2861 2 жыл бұрын

@@fixmyblinds that did the trick! Thank you so much

@bobjordan5549 4 жыл бұрын

Aha! I now know what I'm doing wrong. Thanks

@binhdantat5560 2 жыл бұрын

why did you use Jared Owen’s video?

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

We were happy to sponsor Jared Owen in the making of the this video. His channel has dozens of other videos about how things work. kzfaq.info/love/bsfyGlrjrKQC0gbzK0-EiA

@wistfulness Жыл бұрын

Im sat in the library and the sun is absolutely frying me through the window and this window has blinds, I stood up trying to put them down literally looking like a whole idiot lmao i failed 💀 I'm gonna retry it right now hopefully it works 💀

@renamuchindu1586 2 жыл бұрын

Still trying to figure out how to close them...

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Serena, Are you having trouble closing the slats or having the blind cover the whole window?

@renamuchindu1586 2 жыл бұрын

@@fixmyblinds Having it cover the whole window . They are still up .

@fixmyblinds 2 жыл бұрын

Are they stuck? When you pull the cords toward the center of the blind, what happens?

@blackvvhitegrey 4 жыл бұрын

Hmm. Interesting

@lunamorales5154 3 жыл бұрын

This video is by jeard Owen

@fixmyblinds 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, it is! Jared Owen makes amazing videos, and we were happy to sponsor this one. We're using this video with permission from Jared Owen Animations.