How To Install Vertical Cellular Shades The Right Way

Parts For A Vertical Cellular Shade Ready For An Install
Top - Valance for an outside mount
Below - Headrail
Left - Bottom anchoring bracket for the stationary rail
Below - Metal Insert for the top of the movable rail
3 mounting brackets,
4 valance plastic insert plates
1 movable-rail handle
3 clip on valance brackets
2 valance returns that wrap
around the ends of the headrail

Step 1:

Guessed it - Open the box and inspect the contents.
Lay out all the hardware on a flat surface.

The Shade With Left Stacking Stationary Rail,
Plastic Riders The Material Hangs On, Right
Movable Rail

Step 2:

You could measure the horizontal rail bracket distance from the floor, but doing it this way assures there are no mistakes …
Do this next step on the floor…

Gently push the metal slide-on end (top) of the stationary rail onto the side of the headrail. Preferably, keep the bottom ends of both rails wrapped up for better control while handling the shade.
Attach one headrail holding bracket to the headrail at the same end (for testing puproses).

Slowly lift "the temporary assembly" up to the desired height from the floor (doing this in two people is best).
Now, while one person is holding the headrail and the shade up, the other one checks for the proper distance of the shade's bottom from the floor.

Since we've already snapped on one headrail bracket, using a pencil, it's now easy to hold the headrail at the desired height and
mark the bracket mounting spot.
Mark it.
Now, measure the first spot distance from the floor and mark the other two or three for the holding brackets.


Holding The Headrail Bracket At The Mark On The Casing	Using A Screw To Attach The Bracket

Step 3:

Mount the brackets to the wall or the window casing.
We had to use the window casing (due to the low ceiling). Before we put the screws in, we had pre-drilled the hole to prevent the wood casing from splitting.

TIP: If you need to mount the brackets to the wall (as in 'drywall'), use drywall, auger-like metal anchors to receive the screws.
Do not use simple plastic screw-in bulge-out drywall inserts because they won't hold the weight.

The Headrail Snaps In The 3 Brackets

The Longer Bracket Side Slides In The Top Slot
While The Shorter Side Clips On The Back Of The
Headrail (Detail)

Step 4:

Center the headrail over the window and snap it into the holding brackets.
You'll hear them "click" when the shorter bracket sides lock on to the back of the rail.

Inserting The Metal Rider Into
The Movable Vertical Rail
(The small hole you see
right below the top bearings,
that's where a plastic securing
button goes to hold the insert
in place.)

Step 5:

Slide the metal rider into the movable rail at the top and secure it in with the included plastic, button-like insert.

The Left Stationary Vertical Rail - Top

A Detailed View - The Shade On The Right Tracks

Step 6:

Before you do anything else, insert the bottom anchoring bracket into the stationary vertical rail. You'll soon see what it's for …

Now, you are ready to put the metal rider and the individual plastic riders on the headrail tracks. The back track receives the metal ball-bearing riders.
The front track gets to support the plastic wheels. Just like so (see the picture).
The top of the left stationary vertical rail (in this example) is pushed on to the headrail profile (just like we did in Step 1).
A flat cover plate goes over the clip-like top and gets fastened to headrail with a screw.

A Detailed View - The Anchoring Bracket Inserted
Into The Bottom Of The Stationary Vertical Rail
Before Being Attached To The Casing With A Screw

Step 7:

The bottom of the stationary rail needs to be attached to the wall or the window casing.
The detailed picture above shows you the anchoring bracket inserted into the bottom of the stationary vertical rail.

It attaches to the casing with a screw.
BEFORE you attach the bracket, make sure the vertical rail is plumb (meaning going down in a straight line). Use a level to do that.

Vertical Cellular Shade On Rails - Front View

A Front View Of The Work Quickly Unfolding

The Right End Plate With The Tensioning String Rider

Approximate Tension Distance

Step 8:

The movable rail has an end plate and a tensioning string attached to it. Undo the string and bring the plate with it to the other side of the headrail.
Insert the tensioning peg into the small front channel of the rail (see the picture for details).
Fasten the plate to the rail with a screw (just like you did on the opposite end of the rail).

To get the proper tension, the manufacturer suggests to keep the shade completely gathered at the stacking end while pulling the tensioning peg about 3"to 4" past the spot of first resistance.
The tensioning peg is adjustable at any time.


Valance Assembly A Holding Plate Snaps Into The Valance Profile	Valance Assembly A Headrail Clip Snaps On The Holding Plate

Step 9:

The valance assembly… The flat holding plates snap into the valance groove profile.
The headrail valance brackets clip onto the receiving plates and the whole assembly then clips on to the headrail.