Curtains & Blinds Installation in Southland

Looped cords and chains strangle toddlers, and most countries now regulate them: new blinds must be cordless, have inaccessible cords, or ship with tensioners and cleats that must actually be installed. If you have young children, choose cordless or motorized — and retrofit tensioners on existing corded blinds today.

Plantation shutters are hinged interior panels with tiltable louvres, made to measure per window. They are the premium option — several times the price of quality blinds — but last decades, add resale appeal, and handle wet rooms well in PVC versions. Fitting is always included by the supplier.

A straightforward window takes 20-40 minutes; a whole home of 8-12 windows is usually a half-day to a day. Add time for masonry drilling, tall or awkward access, and motorized blinds that need pairing and charging.

Inside (recess) mounts look neatest and suit deep windows; outside (face) mounts block more light around the edges and hide shallow or uneven recesses. Light-blocking priorities decide: for bedrooms, outside-mounted blackout blinds or blinds with side channels beat recess fits.

For recess fits: width and drop at three points each, using the smallest; note obstructions like handles and tiles. For face fits: add overlap each side and above. Millimetre precision matters for made-to-measure — which is exactly why supply-and-install retailers include measuring in the price.

Tracks and poles need proper fixings: into studs or with appropriate anchors in masonry, and heavy blackout or velvet curtains multiply the load. Plasterboard alone won't hold a loaded pole — pull-outs are the most common curtain-fitting failure. Concrete lintels above windows need a hammer drill.

Installers charge per window or per hour, with the product itself the bigger cost. Simple roller and venetian fits are quick jobs; bay windows, tall stairwell windows, motorized blinds and plantation shutters cost more to fit. Supply-and-install packages from blind companies usually beat separate labour on price.

Yes — full-length thermal-lined curtains with pelmets or snug tracks cut window heat loss substantially in NZ's single-glazed stock, and the comfort difference is immediate. Fit them wall-to-wall and floor-length for the real effect.