SAGE'S PAGES Archives - ADVANCED ON-SITE Drapery Cleaning

January 15, 2016

THE SAGE: Wood Blind Parts

Consuelo

Hi. I have a wood blind. The strings are broken, so I need to know if they can be fixed. Thanks for your help.

THE SAGE

If you know from whom the blind you speak of was originally purchased, or even better, who the manufacturer was, it may be possible to obtain replacement cords.

Unfortunately, the sheer number of manufacturers, many with their own proprietary control systems, means efforts to get the exact parts needed are often frustrated in the absence of this information. It’s an issue many in the window coverings industry have moaned about for years.

Additionally, just as automobile manufacturers re-engineer components, and even drop entire product lines, so do blind manufacturers. Sometimes, as in the case of a once popular company called Bamboo Abbott, they just go out of business.

Now, if you’re unable to determine the manufacturer, and you’re feeling adventurous, you may wish to visit blindparts.com (no affiliation) to search for a universal repair kit. Or just to see what cording they have available, and whether it suits your needs. I’m afraid it’s a bit of a “crap shoot.” But, it’s an option even professionals avail themselves of from time to time.

Another option is to pay the necessary parts, freight and service charges to have a repair technician come to your location, determine what is needed, place the order, then return to execute the repair after it arrives.

Thank you for your submission.

NOTE: ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services, related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.

October 30, 2015November 2, 2015

THE SAGE: Chain on Roll Up Shade

Julie

My problem is with a roll up shade over one of the glass patio doors in the house we bought. It was left by the owner and I like it, but the chain keeps slipping. I can put the shade down without much trouble. But I need twice the time to put it up because it slips every foot or so. The only way I can get it to go up more is to pull down on both sides of the chain with just a little extra tug on the part that part that goes up. I hope you know what I mean. It’s a little hard to describe. Can this be fixed and what is involved? Thanks in advance.

THE SAGE

This has the earmarks of a worn out clutch. As you pull down, the beaded chain passes over a correspondingly scalloped wheel inside the control end. It’s a sprocket, of sorts. After a time, one or more of the scallops can become worn down. Usually due to excessive or improper use.

The only fix is a replacement clutch. Which is not all that expensive, in itself. The main cost comes in the form of service charges. Depending on circumstances, you may be billed for an initial visit to determine the exact part needed. Then, a service call is billed to return and swap the bad one out, after a new one has been ordered and received from the manufacturer. Total costs may range from $85 to $180.

Thank you for your submission.

NOTE: ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services, related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.

September 25, 2015November 2, 2015

THE SAGE: Accordion Shades

Ira

We saw an accordion shade basically turned on its side and it hangs from a track on a sliding glass door. Do you have those and how much? Our door is 80 inches high and 109 inches wide

THE SAGE

Your description resembles a product called Vertiglide™. Its manufacturer is Hunter Douglas, a longtime leader in the window coverings industry. To view a video demonstrating its use click here.

Vertiglide™ is a traversing honeycomb shade (sometimes called accordion, or cell shade), made up of vertically oriented pleats. It could in fact be described as a honeycomb shade turned on its side, but a more complex operating system is required.

Base pricing has been sent to the email provided when you posted your question (includes installation). It reflects your stated dimensions, which would need to be confirmed with a visit from an ADVANCED ON-SITE representative.

The base product can be ordered to stack on either the left or right side of the opening. Additional surcharges apply if split stack, traveling center stack, or Duolite™ design options are desired. Likewise, expanded color pallets, patterns, fabric types and pleat sizes can be obtained through additional charges.

Please use the comment form at the bottom of this page if you have additional questions. Should you wish to move forward with ordering and installation please respond with a daytime telephone number to the email mentioned above.

Thank you for your submission.

NOTE: ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services, related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.