Installation: what to expect

After measuring, choosing and waiting, installation day is when everything comes together. A little preparation helps it go smoothly, and a careful check at the end protects you.

This is general information. We don't publish prices or recommend particular brands or businesses.

Before the installer arrives

• Clear furniture and ornaments from around windows.
• Make sure the installer can reach every window safely.
• Tell the installer about alarm sensors, hidden wiring or fragile surfaces.
• Keep children and pets out of the work area.

Cord safety during installation

The Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014 sets mandatory installation requirements for corded internal window coverings in homes. A covering must be installed so a loose cord can't form a loop 220 mm or longer less than 1,600 mm above the floor, and using any components the installation instructions specify for cord safety. Cleats must be fixed at least 1,600 mm above the floor. Cord guides fixed lower must withstand the force set out in the standard and keep the cord tensioned.

Checking the work

Before the installer leaves:

• check every covering against your order;
• operate each one fully;
• check that cord safety devices are fitted and secure;
• look for damage to fabric, slats or walls;
• ask for care instructions and warranty details;
• keep the warning labels and instructions.

If something is wrong

Raise it straight away, then confirm in writing with photos. Consumer Affairs Victoria explains that services must be provided with due care and skill, and products must be of acceptable quality.

DIY installation

If you install coverings yourself, follow the manufacturer's instructions and the cord safety requirements.

Homes with young children

If young children live in or visit your home, cord safety should shape your choices. The ACCC warns that some young children have been strangled playing near or using blind and curtain cords. Choose cordless, spring-operated or motorised systems where you can. Make sure any cords or chains are secured with devices fixed to the wall or frame, and move cots, beds, high chairs and climbable furniture away from windows. Check every window, including in rooms children rarely use.

Measure-and-install yourself?

Some retailers sell made-to-measure coverings that you measure and install yourself. This can suit confident DIYers, but you take responsibility for measuring accurately and installing safely. Read the instructions before you order, check you have the right fixings for your walls, and use a ladder safely. If the coverings have cords, install the supplied cord safety devices exactly as instructed so the installation meets the national standard.

Keep good records

Keep a simple record for each room: product, fabric or material and colour, supplier, date installed, care instructions and warranty. Photograph the labels or swing tags before you remove them, and keep the cord safety warning labels and instructions. These records help if you need a repair, a matching replacement, or to make a warranty claim, and they're useful if you sell the home.

Warranties and your rights

Many suppliers offer warranties on fabrics, mechanisms and installation. Read what's covered, for how long and what you need to do to claim. Keep your quote, invoice, care instructions and warranty documents together. Consumer Affairs Victoria explains that consumer guarantees apply automatically to products and services, in addition to any warranty a business offers. Products must be of acceptable quality and match their description, and services must be provided with due care and skill. If something goes wrong, contact the business promptly, in writing, with photos.

Allow for lead times

Custom window coverings are made to order, so there's usually a gap between ordering and installation. Ask each supplier for an estimated lead time in writing, and what happens if it's delayed. If you're moving into a new home or finishing a renovation, plan ahead so you're not without privacy. Temporary coverings can bridge the gap. Remember that lead times may change with demand, fabric availability and the complexity of your order.

Motorised options

Motorised blinds and curtains are operated by a remote, wall switch, app or timer. They remove cords and chains altogether, which many households with young children value, and they make large or hard-to-reach windows easier to use. They can be scheduled to open and close with the sun to help with comfort. Ask suppliers about power options (battery, rechargeable or hard-wired), how they are charged, what happens in a power outage, and the warranty on the motor. Hard-wired motors involve electrical work, which must be done by a licensed electrician.

If you rent

If you rent, check your rental agreement and talk to your rental provider or agent before drilling holes or replacing window coverings. Consumer Affairs Victoria has information about the changes renters can and can't make. Removable options, such as tension rods or freestanding screens, may suit some situations. Keep any original coverings you remove, and take photos so you can restore the property at the end of the tenancy.

A quick checklist

Before you order:

• decide what each covering needs to do;
• choose the mount type;
• measure carefully, in millimetres;
• see samples at home;
• get like-for-like written quotes;
• check the business and its ABN;
• confirm lead times, warranty and terms;
• plan for cord safety.

Where our information comes from

We base the safety and energy information in this guide on official sources, including ACCC Product Safety Australia, the Federal Register of Legislation, YourHome, Sustainability Victoria, energy.gov.au and Consumer Affairs Victoria, listed at the end of the page. Practical tips about products are general guidance only. Requirements and guidance change, so we show the date we last checked the page. Before relying on any detail, follow the source links.

Getting help from suppliers

Good suppliers will explain options clearly, bring samples, measure carefully and put everything in writing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, including why they recommend a particular product, what alternatives exist, and how the covering will be fixed and operated. Ask to see examples of similar installations. If a supplier can't answer clearly, or pressures you to sign on the spot, take your time and get another quote. A clear, unhurried conversation is usually a good sign that the rest of the process will go smoothly too.

Living with your choice

Once coverings are installed, give yourself a few weeks to see how they work through different weather and light. Notice whether rooms feel warmer, darker or more private, and whether coverings are easy to use. If something isn't operating properly, contact the supplier early rather than waiting. Small adjustments, such as tension on a chain or alignment of a shutter panel, are often simple to fix soon after installation. Make a note of anything you'd do differently for the next room.

Accessibility and ease of use

Think about who will be operating each covering. Heavy blinds, high windows and stiff controls can be hard for some people to use, including older people and people with limited reach or grip. Motorised controls, wands, lighter fabrics and splitting wide windows into smaller coverings can make daily use easier. Ask suppliers to demonstrate controls before you order, and consider where switches or remotes will be kept.

Sustainability

Choosing durable coverings, caring for them well and repairing rather than replacing can reduce waste. Ask suppliers whether replacement parts are available, whether fabrics can be cleaned, and what happens to old coverings when they are removed. Coverings that help reduce heating and cooling needs can also help lower energy use, as YourHome and Sustainability Victoria explain. Avoid vague environmental claims and ask suppliers to explain any they make.

Key points

• Prepare the room and access.
• Corded coverings must meet the installation standard.
• Cleats go at least 1,600 mm above the floor.
• Check every covering before the installer leaves.
• Raise problems promptly in writing.