Mini blinds are a popular window covering that consist of many horizontal slats made of vinyl, wood, faux wood, aluminum, or other materials. Over time, the slats can become damaged or broken from regular use and need to be replaced. Replacing a few broken slats in mini blinds is an easy, inexpensive fix that can give the blinds a fresh look without requiring completely new window treatments. This article will walk through the step-by-step process for how to replace broken or damaged slats in mini blinds.
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Assess the Damage
The first step is to assess the extent of the damage to the mini blinds and determine how many slats need replacement. Carefully examine each slat across the length of the blinds. Look for slats that are cracked, broken, bent, or otherwise damaged. Make note of which slats need replacing and count the total number. In most cases, you’ll only need to replace a few slats here and there versus replacing the entire set of blinds.
You’ll also want to determine what material the slats are made of – vinyl, aluminum, wood, faux wood, etc. This will inform the replacement process and options. Vinyl and aluminum slats are the easiest to find replacement parts for. Wood or faux wood slats may require custom-ordering replacement slats from the blind manufacturer.
Take stock of the hardware pieces that lift and tilt the blinds as well. Make sure the mechanism that controls the raising/lowering and tilting of the blinds is still in good working order. Problems with the lift cords, wand tilt rod, or headrail will require more extensive blind repairs.
Purchase Replacement Slats
Once you’ve assessed the damage, it’s time to purchase replacement slats. Bring one of the good slats with you to the store when shopping for replacements. This allows you to match the width, thickness, color, and material. Hardware stores, home improvement stores, and online retailers typically stock the most common vinyl and aluminum blind slat sizes and colors. For specialty woods or less common sizes, you may need to contact the original blind retailer or manufacturer.
When purchasing, get a few extra replacement slats just to have on hand or in case you break another slat during the repair process. It’s a good idea to replace all visibly damaged slats in one go, rather than constantly having to take the blinds down for minor repairs here and there.
Remove the Broken Slat
With the replacement slats in hand, it’s time to remove the broken slat(s) from the blinds. Start by fully raising the blinds all the way up the headrail. Look for the small tab or button mechanism that detaches each slat from the lift cord system. This tab needs to be pressed in or slid vertically in order to release the slat.
Releasing the slat can sometimes require firm pressure or some wiggling back and forth. Be careful not to bend or break adjacent good slats in the process. Once released, the slat should slide horizontally out of the channel along the headrail. Remove each damaged slat one at time in this manner along the length of the headrail. Set aside and discard the broken pieces.
Install the New Slats
After removing the broken slats, you can install the replacement slats in their place. Start on one end of the headrail and insert the new slat piece into the open channel. Slide it horizontally along the channel until it’s fully in place.
Line up the hole or notch on the replacement slat with the string ladder or cord system. Engage the release tab or button mechanism to lock the slat back into place on the lift cords. Give it a gentle tug downward to make sure it’s properly secured.
Work your way along, replacing each broken slat with a new one as you go. Make sure to match the spacing of the old slats so the replacements blend in visually. If needed, trim the new slat with tin snips to fit the space properly.
Rehang the Mini Blinds
Once all the broken slats have been replaced with new ones, the repair is complete! The last step is to rehang the fixed mini blinds back onto the window.
Carefully lift the blinds back up into place in the window frame. Most mini blinds use mounting brackets that allow you to slide the headrail back into place without having to completely detach and remount the blinds.
If you did fully remove the blinds during the slat replacement process, simply screw the mounting brackets back into the same holes and slots from which your originally took them down. Attach the headrail into the brackets and center the blind in the window frame.
Operating Tips
Here are some useful tips for operating mini blinds with new slats:
– Open and close the blinds slowly and gently for the first few times to make sure the new slats smoothly slide along the headrail channel.
– Similarly, tilt the blinds up and down gingerly at first to ensure the tilt mechanism is properly threading through the new slats.
– Over time, dust can build up in the headrail channel and cause friction or snags. Periodically wipe out the channel with a dry cloth to maintain smooth operation.
– Avoid forcefully spinning the wand to tilt the blinds, as this can warp and bend slats over time.
– Use the lift cords, not the slats themselves, to raise and lower the blinds. Pulling down on the slats directly can cause damage.
Following these best practices will help keep your replacement slats in good condition for years of lasting use!
Conclusion
Knowing how to replace broken slats in mini blinds is an easy and useful home repair skill. By assessing the damage, purchasing replacement slats, removing the broken pieces, installing the new slats, and properly rehanging the blinds, you can give new life to worn our mini blinds and avoid expensive replacements. With the right replacement slats and a few simple tools, this is a DIY project anyone can tackle in about an hour or less. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have your mini blinds looking fresh and functional again.
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Assess damage and count number of broken slats needing replacement |
| 2 | Purchase replacement slats matching old material and size |
| 3 | Raise blinds and detach broken slats from cord ladder |
| 4 | Insert and secure new slats into headrail channel |
| 5 | Rehang blinds in window frame |
Supply Checklist
- Replacement slats
- Screwdriver
- Tin snips (if sizing slats)
- Dry cloth
- Mounting brackets (if fully removing blinds)
Key Takeaways
- Fully assess all damaged slats before buying replacements
- Match the original slat size, color, and material
- Detach broken slats from the cord ladder system
- Carefully insert and secure new slats into headrail
- Operate blinds gently at first to test new slats