Conference 7.286::home_work

    Try the Yellow Pages.  The NYNEX Yellow Pages for Nashua, under
    "Venetian Blinds - Dealers" has six companies listed.
    
    One (Lowell Window Fashions - 33 Main Nashua - 880-6600) includes
    the following in its ad;
    
    Complete line of Custom made blinds
    Clean, Retape, Record, Repair
    
    Give 'em a call.  If Nashua isn't convenient, look in your local
    book.  
    
    					Andrew
    
    (A firm believer in letting one's fingers do the walking.)

    In an effort to save $500 by buying standard size mini-blinds which
    I will have to customize and install myself vs. having a window
    shade store do it all, for 22 windows, I'd like to hear from those
    who've been through this.  How easy/hard is it to customize, 
    specifically, shortening them from 64" to 52".  Did it look good
    when done?  Easy to install?  For 22 mini-blinds, will I need a
    case of beer and 2 days, whichever comes first?  Also, thoughts
    on metal vs. vinyl.  Anything else I should know?  Thank you.

    In my last house, I had both vinyl and metal mini blinds.  I bought
    cheap ones from Bradlees (or some such place).  I never did shorten
    them to the exact length, but I thought it looked fine.  The
    instructions that came with the blinds did explain how to shorten
    them, but I just never thought it was worth the bother, at least
    in my rooms.  However, I would strongly recommend metal over plastic.
    The metal looked as good as new, even after several years.  I bought
    the plastic for my son's room because he is abusive to everything
    around him and I thought he would wind up bending the metal ones.
    I later regretted that decision because the plastic ones kind of
    sagged in the middle and just didn't look as crisp.  Perhaps it
    was because I bought cheap-o ones.  Maybe better quality plastic
    ones would look better.  I know if I were to buy again, I would
    definitely go with metal.

    I have lots of metal mini-blinds in my house.  I bought them thru
    the sears catalog and they're made by levoler.
    They're fairly easy to shorten.  Once you know how it only takes
    about 5 minutes per blind.  Basically you're just untying the strings,
    removing slats, then putting the bottom slat back on and tying it
    back together.  The blinds come with very detailed instructions.
    I've found that once you shorten them, you can then slip them into
    the mounts at the window sill and tighten them (try to raise the
    blind while they're attached to the sill), and they will look better.
    If you don't shorten them you can't get them as tight.
    
    I think they look better shortened.  
    When you remove slats, save them incase any slats get bent and have
    to be replaced.
    
    I've never used plastic ones so I can't compare them with metal.
    

    I installed alot of the Sears made by Levolor metal ones.  The
    plastic ones look too cheap.  Shortening was no problem.  Just
    patience... 22 windows is a lot.
    
    -al

    Whichever way you go, get something good to clean them with.
    If you don't keep up with it, dust builds up quickly and can only
    be cleaned PAINSTAKINGLY, ONE SLAT AT A TIME. :-[] ugh.
    

    re: .0
    
    Sorry to enter the discussion so late, but...
    
    When you said "shorten", did you mean removing excess whole slats from
    the bottom or cutting each slat so that the width of the entire
    unit is less?
    
    -joet

Posted to HOME_WORK and CONSUMER:
        
In the back of many magazines (Better Homes & Gardens, for one), there
are ads for mail-order companies in Michigan who sell name-brand (e.g., 
Levolor, Kirsch...) mini-blinds/verticals/woven woods, etc. at up to 70% 
off.  Many of them go so far as to guarantee shipment within 7 days or 
your order is free...

I received catalogues from some of these places a few years ago and went
into a Levolor dealer in Marlboro for some prices.  Blinds that she wanted 
close to $100. for were available through these companies at $40. and under.  
Needless to say, the lady got mad and told me to take my business to them 
(although I don't think those were her exact words!  :-))

Has anyone gone the mail-order route?  I have a new house (with 19 windows) 
and I desperately need window treatments; I'd like to do something other 
than department store window shades... we're using pillow cases for privacy 
now!

The ads <say> these products are the real McCoys, not cheap imitations...

Thanks,

Donna Rosenthal
    

    clarification-
    
    By shortening, I meant removing excess slats from the bottom.  It
    seems that the blinds you can purchase in a store or through catalogs
    come in varying widths with the length being a standard 64", which
    can be "shortened".  

    I'm in the exact same situation, just moved into a new home and
    want mini-blinds as fast as possible and don't want to pay an arm
    and a leg!  Can you post some info on these mail-order companies
    or let me know which magazines they're from?  I'm on the brink of
    ordering from JC Penney which has a 30% off sale on their ready-made
    vinyl mini-blinds, but if I could get a better deal and have them
    in a week, that would be great!  Thanks.
    
    -John

    
    John,
    
    I clipped the ads and they're on my kitchen counter.  There are
    toll-free numbers with some of the companies.  I meant to bring
    'em in so I could call for catalogues and fabric/color swatches
    during my lunch hour, but I forgot.  I'll make a point to bring 
    them in tomorrow.
    
    I think I still have catalogues/price lists/fabric & color samples
    in my home file cabinet; the information, however, is probably
    from around 1984.  The products and no doubt the prices have
    changed since then!
    
    I'd hold off ordering from Penney's for one more day.  Plus, my
    personal preference is aluminum or wood rather than vinyl because 
    I've heard stories about the vinyl sagging and/or discoloring.
    That, of course, is up to you to decide.

    I'll post any information I have in here tomorrow a.m., first
    thing!
    
    donna
        

    I just shortened three.   The first one took a while (15 minutes).
    The others took about 5 minutes each.   It's really quite easy.

  I recently purchased mini-blinds made by a company called Hunter-Douglas.
They have been in the business for years and are a top quality product.
I purchased them from a friend who does this on the side (he works for DEC).
He will come to your house take measurements for all windows and will also
install them when they arrive. The prices needless to say are far better
than those you will find at your local Levlor? dealer. 
  There is nothing easier than being able to select the stile and color
of what you want in the comfort of your own home and then to have it 
installed for you later (even though I installed my own).
  His name is Brian Bakstran. I don't have his home phone but his work
number is 272-7104. Please tell him that you were referred by me.

Pat McGreal

The following information came from the advertising section in the back
of the most recent "Better Homes & Gardens":
=============================================================================
Lowest Prices!
Levolor Blinds
60% off Suggested Retail, not inflated price lists
The original national discounter guarantees to beat any legitimate price
on these products, down to our cost.  Get your best price, then call us.
Don't be fooled by our imitators.  There is only one number 1.  Shop and
compare, use suggested retail and discount percentage for comparison only.
We discount everyday.
Nobody beats our Levolor prices

Levolor Monaco 1" mini blind 60% off
Levolor Custom Vertical blinds 55% off
We also carry
Levolor Riviera 1" mini blinds
Levolor wood blinds, micro blinds, and "Z" pleated shades
Del Mar verticals, Del Mar softlight pleated shades
Kirsch Verosol and Louver Drape verticals

Call Toll Free (800) 547-8982
Free color swatches and info
Free UPS shipping (48 states)
WELLS INTERIORS, INC. (9 Calif. locations)
7171 Amador Plaza, Dublin, CA  94568
=============================================================================
Levolor up to 60% off comparable retail
Levolor 1" Monaco blinds and other window treatments
Plus Custom Window Treatments From Louver Drape, Del Mar, Kirsch
Free delivery on most window treatments anywhere in U.S.A. except
Hawaii & Alaska
Wallpaper - Super savings on national brands
CUSTOM WINDOWS AND WALLS
32525 Stephenson Highway
Madison Heights, Michigan  48071
Call Toll Free 1-800-772-1947
=============================================================================
Mini Blinds
Levolor
70% off retail!  Buy direct from factory and save on 1" mini blinds,
vertical blinds and real wood blinds... in today's most popular colors!
Shipped in 7 days or your mini blinds are absolutely free!  
You can call
toll free 800-351-1150 or write:  AMERICAN BLIND FACTORY, 3000 Town Center,
#750, Southfield, Michigan  48075
=============================================================================
Levolors
62% off Levolor 1" blinds, plus lowest prices on a huge selection of
window treatments by LouverDrape, Bali, Del Mar, Graber and Joanna.  Plus
Jayson's own.  Jayson Window Fashions will beat any legitimate price or
it's your's FREE.  JAYSON WINDOW FASHIONS, P.O. Box 02579, Detroit, MI
48202 Call 800-5-BLINDS

>>> I received a package of info from Jayson in Nov. of 1985 and I was
>>> impressed by the amount of stuff they sent me, as well as their 
>>> prices.  I've included their discount list (as of 9-1-85... of course, 
>>> the prices have gone up, but here's an idea of how good the discounts 
>>> were 1.5 years ago

1" Aluminum Mini Blinds  
   Levolor Monaco 1" Blinds              -50% + 25% off that
   Levolor Riviera 1" Blinds             -50% + 15% off that
   Levolor Micro Minis                   -40% + 20% off that
   Bali Micro Minis                      -40% + 20%  "   "
   Bali Customiser                       -50% + 25%  "   "
   Bali Custom                           -50% + 15%  "   "
   Delmar Esprit                         -50% + 25%  "   "
   Delmar                                -50% + 25$  "   "
   Delmar Micro Minis                    -40% + 20%  "   "
   Jayson Econo Blind                    -50% + 25%  "   "
  *Jayson Custom                         -50% + 20%  "   "
   Jayson Micro Minis                    -40% + 20%  "   "

1" & 2" Wood Blinds
   Jayson Custom Ramin Wood Blinds       -50% + 30%  "   "
   Joanna Cordia Aspin Wood Blinds       -40%
   Delmar Designer Wood Blinds           -50%

Vertical Blinds
   Louver Drape Verticals                -50% + 10%  "   "
   Delmar Verticals                      -50% + 10%  "   "
   Graber Verticals                      -50% + 10%  "   "
   Joanna Verticals                      -50% + 10%  "   "
   Jayson Custom Woodward Verticals      -50% + 30%  "   "
   Levolor Verticals                     -50% + 10%  "   "

Pleated Shades
   Louver Drape Pleated Shades           -50% + 10%  "   "
   Delmar Soft Lite Pleated Shade        -50% + 10%  "   "
   Delmar Esprit Pleated Shades          -50% + 10%  "   "
   Joanna Solare Pleated Shades          -50% + 10%  "   "
   Graber Pleated Shades                 -50% + 10%  "   "
   Levolor Pleated Shades                -50% + 10%  "   "

Woven Woods
   Delmar Woven Woods                    -50%
   Joanna Woven Woods                    -50%

* The best value in our program is the Jayson Custom Blind -- it's
  a top quality blind -- the best price in the country.

    I have a nice Marvin Sun Bay window that has glass on the top. 
    The extra light through the top is great in the winter.  The sun
    in the summer is murder.  I'd like to put some sort of blind up
    there.  It's obviously custom, any recommendations in the greater
    Maynard area?
    
    chris

    Hi Chris, 
    
       I ran across the same situation last year and I did'nt want to
      go with a standard everyday blind.  I finally resolved the problem
      by going to three individual vinyl mini-blinds with the wand that
      opens & shuts them. They're quite reflective and still give a
      excellent view when open or closed. The overhead can be suspended
      by the runners included.
    
    			Hope this helps, Gene_@NIO
    

    Gene,
    Are you saying that I can install on a 45 degree angle and the blind
    won't sag when the runners are used?  What brand did you use?  Are
    they readily available?
    
    Tnx,
    
    Chris

    I went to Somerville Lumber last night. Think I saw some casement
    windows that have mini-bind in-between the screen and the glass and
    looks very nice. I don't remember if they had that on the bay window,
    but its worth to give them a call.

THere are also ready-made sizes with 42" length - try Debsan's in 
Natick.

Als- you can get 'blind-cleaners' that are dust-cloth type material 
shaped like fingers - try a paint store

Hi!
    Has anyone out there purchased blinds from a discount mail-order company?
If so, did you encounter any problems?

    Greg

    We purchased some of the 1 inch Levelor miniblinds through mail order
    with excellent results (and prices).  Since we were looking for sizes
    that were not stocked locally, we would have had to special order them
    through a home center at much higher prices.  The mail order prices
    were also much better on the standard stocked sizes.
    
    The mail order folks had what we wanted and were able to deliver in
    less than 7 days.  From rough recollection, the prices were
    
    			Mail Order	Somerville Lumber
    
    	36" Blind	  $30		   $42 (with sales tax)
    
        64" Blind	  $54		   $80
    
    I don't remember the company, but I can look it up if you're
    interested.
    
    Bob

    My sister has ordered through American Blind Co (I think they are in
    Ohio (?) )  They were very nice and of good quality.  You can get cloth
    or metallic blinds.  I've seen the pricing sheet and it was very
    reasonable, much less than any store here, plus they don't charge for
    shipping.  Also, they have a very good selection of colors.  
    
    I don't remember the phone number, but I believe it was a 1-800 number
    so you could try calling 1-800-555-1212 to see if it's listed.
    
    Susan

    	I've bought 1" mini blinds 3 times from American Blind Factory.
    Quick delivery,name brands, unbeatable prices and good color selection.
    Their number is 1-800-735-5300,they will send you price lists,color
    charts and measuring instructions.
    
    Mike 

Thanks for the replies!  In a couple of months I hope to be in the same 
situation as .0 and .1 were - new house with lots of naked windows.  

I'm finalizing my house building budget now, so I wanted to know if I could 
count on saving money with the mail order places.  Sounds like that is the way
to go.

    Greg

	Well I ordered some Levolor vertical blinds from Home Depot and
	was gleefully installing them....I was about to install the last
	one when (of course - Murphy's Law) to my horror I discovered
	that it was too long...a quick look at the receipt showed that
	at order time someone goofed (don't know if it was me ;-)....
	instead of 54.25" it was 58.25"....soooooo

	Q. Does anyone out there have any experience altering (shortening)
	the length of Levolor vertical blinds? Is it difficult??

	My only alternative is to take it back and wait two more months....

	any help deeply appreciated

	_kelley

    
    If they're the fabric ones. They're not too difficult to shorten. Just 
    find someone witha sewmachine, and a heavy duty needle. 
    
      We bought the standard length vertial blinds for a sliding door.
    measured the length we needed plus what is needed to go around the
    weights on the bottom. Cut them, and sewed them.
    
    
    

    
    	I have shotened the PCV blinds myself.. I buy the closet I can find
    then cut them on a radial arm saw.. Save big $$$$$$$
    
    Ron
    

	re: .1 & .2

	thanx for the replies.....however......

	I realized only now that by "shorten" most people would deduce
	that I meant in the vertical direction (yes they are cloth so
	if this were my problem then resowing would be the answer)....

	however I really meant in the horizontal direction...eg I need
	to shorten the blind runner and all of its internal mechanisms
	by 4"..........

	any more takers?

	_k

I just installed my Home Depot Levelor's over the weekend...

I noticed that the "end caps" pop off on mine.  Also, there's a metal rod that
sits inside of the end caps.  I'm wondering if you can pop off the end cap,
hack the unit/rod by 4 inches and shorten up the string by the same (the only
problem would be the density of the number of hanging blinds).  You might
just then be able to pop the end cap back on and be in business??

I did this with a Jenncraft vertical blind two weeks ago. It is not very
difficult to do. Obviously, when you decide to go the DYI route, you take
responsibility when things go wrong, so if you're not comfortable with this,
you first might want to try to return it.

In my case, I shortened a Jenncraft vertical blind from 78"*84" to 66"*84".
I had been looking everywhere to find a ready-made 66"*84" with alabaster
fabric vanes, but I couldn't find one. So when Caldor had a sale of 78"*84"
with alabaster fabric vanes for $30, I decided to give it a try after having
taken a good look at the mechanism and deemed it a doable job. I am very 
happy with the result, and in view of the price difference between ready-made 
and custom-made vertical blinds, I would recommend the DYI route.

Assuming the Levolor mechanism is similar to the Jenncraft, this is what 
you do:

1. Pop off the end cap at the end where you don't have the control wires.
2. Take off that plastic thingy where the control wire loops back from the
   metal rod.
3. Saw off 4" from the housing of the blind with a hacksaw. This housing
   is probably aluminum, so it is pretty simple, but do take to saw at a
   right angle!
4. Saw off 4" from the metal rod. This rod is probably also aluminum, so
   easy to do.
5. Remove the last plastic hanger (where the vane attaches to) from the
   metal rod. Look carefully at the way the hangers are put together. With
   some prying, this should not be too hard.
6. Compare the hanger you just removed with the hanger that is now last on
   the metal rod. You will probably notice that the last hanger on the rod
     has a plastic extension that is not present on the hanger you just       
   removed.
   Cut off this plastic extension from the hanger on the metal rod, so it
   looks similar to the hanger you just removed.
7. Put the plastic thingy with the control wire loop back on the metal rod.
8. Put back the end cap on the housing.

If you want to do a real perfect job, you should also shorten the control wire
by 4". This is something you probably should do at step 5. (At the time I
didn't bother, so I am not absolutely sure).

While you're at it, you might want to lubricate the plastic hangers with
a little teflon spray. This greatly helps smooth operation of the vertical
blind.

    I have some vertical blinds that need cleaning, they are a textured
    fabric not a smooth plastic surface. I attempted to clean a spare
    valance (same material as the blinds) on a gentle cycle in the washing
    machine and as expected it was ruined.  My wife called around to dry
    cleaners and nobody cleans vertical blinds.
    
    How do you clean fabric vertical blinds (any references in the Boston-
    metro west area)? 
    
    Thanks for any suggestions,
    Michael

Look in the yellow pages under Window Shades and Window Shades -- Cleaning &
Repairing.

    We tried...most specialize in sales, installation and repair.  The ones
    we ask do no know about cleaning......
    
    Anybody else have any ideas or experience finding someone that does
    cleaning?
    
    Michael

There are at least three places listed in the 1991-92 Boston yellow pages --
two in Brookline and one in Hyde Park.

I'm having trouble finding reliable information
about the energy efficiency of different types
of backings for pleated shades.  ( I say reliable
info because the sales people I've talked are 
more than happy to make up something...but none
I've talked to seemed to really know anything
about it.)

We are planning on putting pleated shades in most
of our new house.  We have 11 south facing windows,
so we'd really like to get a window covering that
is energy efficient.  The single sided pleated shades
come with a variety of backings.  One is a silver
material that is touted as energy efficient, but I
really don't want silver windows !  There are also 
plain white backings that are thick enough to filter
all light that are 'just as good' for energy efficiency
according to one salesperson.

The other thing we are considering is the double-sided
pleated shades (like a honeycomb).  I don't know if these
would be better of worse (they certainly look nicer !).

Can anybody enlighten me ?

Denise
 

    
      I'd be very surprised if the manufacturers data for any of those
    materials was not readily available. Ask to see it where you shop. If
    they don't have it, try another place. Its not like there are so few
    drape or solar shade shops.
    
    				Kenny

	When I shopped for pleated shades,  all the manufacturers had
	the R values for the various types so it was easy to compare on
	that basis.  We found the room darkening, foil backed, double
	honey combed to have the highest R value but we ended up buying
	double honey combed, light penetrating ones because we didn't
	want a dark room.
	
	Garry

    Help!  I bought 16 sets of mini-blinds and bought them at the factory
    dimensions to save money.  My hubby shortened them all and now we have
    4 boxes of extra slats.  I called the company (JC Penney) and asked if
    they could be recycled, ie: can I send back the extras instead of
    throwing them into the trash,  their reply was no they didnt have any
    way to take them to recycle.
    	Anyone have any ideas as to where/how these can be recycled??
    	They are grey in color and plastic, not metal.
    
    Thank you, Judy

    
    They are great for holding up fiberglass insulation - such as in the
    basement ceiling.  Just cut to about 16" fold the ends down and tack
    or staple them in place - taking care not to compress the insulation.
                              
    Colin
    

   I was in the market for some custom made Levelor vertical blinds. Up to
  now the least expensive place is Home Depot.

   In my case, Silvers Wholesale in Philadelphia was $17 less for the same
  blind as Home Depot and ships in 2 weeks instead of 4 weeks.

   1-800-426-660


   - Bob

    When I did the same with mine, I put the extra's on my paint shelf.
    They make a very good straight edge for painting window trim and such,
    they have a perfect edge..
    
    Steve

    Can you cut any width off these yourself or do you have to special order 
    for width?  I have six windows that are a 1/2" under the 17" regular order
    width ones.  I know I can take the bottom slats off myself but need to 
    know if it is a problem shortening the width on one's own.

    Thanks,
    justme....jacqui

                 <<< Note 1059.12 by ROYALT::TASSINARI "Bob" >>>
                         -< On the way to try 'em out >-


>>   1-800-426-660



  This should read 1-800-426-6600....


   Makes a difference ;-)


   - Bob

We went to Home Depot in Nashua, got the model of Duet(sp?) we wanted, called
Silvers Wholesale and got a better price.

My wife then went down the street to 

Linen and Shade Bin 		(603) 880-1616
Post Road Plaza
Rt 101A
Merrimack, NH

I'm not sure if this guy was feeding my wife (and my mother-in-law) a line but
he says "Oh I'm related to the Silvers in Philly who own Silvers Wholesale, I'm
a cousin"  He went on and described why he did not have to invite 
the Silvers to his son's barmitzvah (sp) etc...

He beat Silvers Wholesale price and had them in in 7 days.  Somthing about 70%
off.

...and I always thought those small shops could not compete!

Brian J. (and Lisa) McCarthy

    I can highly recommend Linen @ Shade Bin. I'm pretty sure that he is
    related to the Silvers in NJ. Anyway, his work is excellent and his
    prices are good. He always seems to be able to get me what I want when
    no one else can.
    

NETCAD::WOLFF
Renee Wolff
226-5766 (please do not call)

Window blinds

In verticals, pleated blinds, and the ones with the small slats --

Are the custom-made ones worth the difference in cost?  

  1059  CHAPLN::ROSENTHAL    23-APR-1987     9  Mail Order Mini-Blinds - Pros, Cons, Suppliers
  1226  MIZZEN::DEMERS       16-JUN-1987     3  Blinds on my bay window
  1778  CHESS::KAIKOW         9-DEC-1987    23  Blinds, curtains, drapes, shades
  3391  ICHI::HOWARD          2-AUG-1989    20  shades, blinds for skylight

	And the following two are in the Consumers conference:

   985  CHESS::KAIKOW         9-DEC-1987    14  Blinds, curtains, drapes, shades in Nashua
  1930  SNAX::KENNEDY        22-FEB-1991     7  Verticle Blinds!!