Can Roller Shades Be Cut to Fit My Windows?

Roller Shades

• Roller shades are available in different colors, fabrics and textures, including waterproof materials and materials that restrict light or provide insulation. The mechanism of the roller shade involves adjusting the tension of the spring when the shade is raised or lowered. One end of the roller has a circular metal cap with a pin extending from the cap. The other end of the roller has a square metal cap with a spear extending from the cap. Some roller shades are manufactured for easy sizing. These shades have adjustable rollers or perforated shade material for easy trimming.

Installation

• Installing the roller shade requires a screwdriver and the brackets that come with the shade. The different ends of the roller are designed to fit into the installation brackets. One bracket has a groove for the spear end of the roller. The other bracket has a hole for the pin end of the roller. The length of the roller shade need not be exact for surface installation, or installation outside the window frame. Installation inside of the window opening requires a more exact fit, which might require purchase of a roller shade that is larger than the window opening and cutting the shade to fit.

Resizing

• Resize roller shades that have adjustable rollers by completely rolling out the shade fabric, trimming the part of the fabric that is not needed and adjusting the roller to fit. Trim perforated shade fabric by ripping the material along the seam and adjusting the roller to fit.
  To resize a roller shade that does not have an adjustable roller or perforated shade materials, remove the shade material from the roller and set it aside. Measure the space in which you will install the roller shade. Measure and mark the roller at the cutting point. The measurement of the roller length should include the caps from tip-to-tip. Remove the metal cap at the circular pin end of the roller and cut the roller with a saw. Trim the shade fabric to fit the resized roller, reattach the fabric to the roller with a stapler and replace the circular cap to the roller end.

Readjusting Spring Tension

• You might need to increase the tension in the spring inside the roller after resizing and installing the roller shade. After handling the roller, the shade might not roll up and down properly. Increase the spring tension by rolling the shade down about two feet, removing it from the brackets and rolling the shade up manually. Replace the roller shade in the brackets and test the spring tension. Repeat the process if the spring still does not work properly.