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Stuart Noble

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2008-06-24 10:21:12 +0100, stuart noble
said:

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2008-06-23 16:15:24 +0100, said:

Hi,

I've just bought a comservatory and would like some blinds, just over
the windows (not the roof).

I had Hilary's round to quote, and the guy said they would fix them to
the upvc frame with 3mm self tapping screws.

I had a look online and found another website that did made to measure
self- fit ones, less than half the price of Hilary's. When I phoned
this company, the said that Hilary's were a bunch of cowboys, and you
should never fix blinds like that as the torque on the upvc would be
such that after a few months things would start to work their way
loose. Instead, you should
drill through the upvc and into the metal frame and fix them to
that.

So now I'm unsure about what to do. On the one hand, this guy could
have been indulging in competitor bashing to get some trade. On the
other hand, I know nothing about this, so I'm worried that he may have
a point...

Has anyone fittend their own blinds - is screwing them into the frame
acceptable? Is it an easy job (I'm ok but not great at diy).

Thanks in advance,

Tim

It depends on the blinds.

If they are cheap, flimsy ones and the uPVC is reasonably thick, self
tap screws into that may be enough. For more substantial blinds,
and especially if they are going to be opened and closed a lot, a mor
substantial fixing would make sense.

Since a hole is going to be drilled anyway, it makes sense to use a
longer screw and be done with it.

I suppose the 3mm length guarantees you won't hit any metal bits
inside the profile. I just don't happen to have that size handy.

Now that you mention it, 3mm gauge screws seem pretty small as well
unless the blinds were very light in weight.

I don't think extra length would make any difference given the pvc is
probably 2mm thick at most, but it's one hell of a fixing once the
thread starts to bite