How to Install Patio Door Window Shades

Examine all the pieces of the box to confirm that you have all the hardware, and that you know what each piece is. There are several types of mounts that vary slightly in execution but are mostly the same. These steps will guide you through a typical mounting but always follow your specific instructions.

Find the center of your doorway by measuring left to right at the top. Put a small pencil mark just above the door way at the center. Find the center of your headrail the same way and put a similar mark on it. When the two marks are lined up you'll know the blinds will be centered on the doorway.

Measure 4 inches in from each end of the headrail and put a piece of masking tape on the front of it at that 4-inch distance.

Hold a vane, or the long, narrow shade part, up above the top of the center of the doorway and let it hang down to the distance that you want the bottom of the vanes to be off the floor. This is usually about 1 inch off the floor. Mark the top of the vane with a pencil.

Hold the headrail up to the wall above the door and line the two center marks up. The vane attachment clip inside the headrail should be the same height as the vane mark on the wall. Mark a 2-inch horizontal line on the wall even with the top of the headrail and at each end where the masking tape is. Pull the masking tape off.

Place the top of the left side mounting bracket just under the wall mark and loosely screw the bracket into place with the top screw. Place the bubble level on top of the bracket and ensure the bubble is level -- then screw the bottom screw in and tighten both screws down.

Measure the distance from the mounting bracket to the top of the door frame. Move to the right side and mount the right bracket the same way, but measure it first to ensure that it is the same height above the frame as the left bracket. Some vertical blinds come with a center bracket that is installed the same, also.

Snap the headrail onto the brackets as per your individual instructions. Some need to be screwed on tightly while others depend upon friction to hold it into place.

Slide the individual vanes into each clip. They hold on with friction.

Slide the valance clips over the top section of the headrail. Connect the valance together by snapping on the side pieces and sliding it into the clips on the headrail. Test the blinds by opening and closing them, and sliding them both ways.