Bamboo blinds are made with multiple pieces of bamboo tied together, and they add a simple, elegant look to your home.You can cut bamboo blinds yourself to save money.If the blinds are too wide, it's a good idea to trim the bamboo off of each side.You can shorten your blinds with a pair of scissors and some hot glue.When you're done changing your blinds, they'll fit in your window.
Step 1: Take a look at the width of your window and bamboo shades.
Pull the end of your tape measure across the width of the window to find your measurement.If it isn't perfectly square, check the width in the middle and bottom of the window.You don't want to forget your measurements later.If you plan on hanging your blinds outside of the trim, it's a good idea to measure from the outer edges.
Step 2: Determine how much you need to cut off the blinds.
To find the width of your blinds, use your tape measure.Look at the top bar of your blinds to see how much space there is between the ends and the mounting hardware.If you only need to make a minor adjustment, you can cut one side of the blinds, but if you want to remove more than 4–5 inches (10–13 cm), then cut a little bit off each side.If your window is 36 inches wide and your blinds are 100 cm wide, you can either trim off one side or the other.bamboo blinds that are slightly larger than your window can be used.The hardware on most bamboo blinds is closer to one end than the other.
Step 3: To mark your cuts, draw lines on the backside of your blinds.
If you want to draw on the back of your blinds, lay them down on a flat surface.Measure the length of your blinds using your measuring tape.If you want to draw a straight line, you need to measure the same distance from the edge.Use a pencil to draw your line after laying a straightedge.If you need to trim both ends, repeat the process on the other side of the blinds.
Step 4: Put painter's tape on the inside of your lines.
The edges of the bamboo are held in place by Painter's tape help.Cut a piece of tape that's as long as you draw the lines and press it onto the bamboo.If you don't make sure your tape is on the side of the line, the edges will break.Multiple shorter strips can be used if you can't accurately place a long strip of tape.
Step 5: Put tape on the front of the blinds.
Turn over the blinds so they're face-up once you've taped the back side.Take your measurements and place them on the front side.If you want your blinds to be protected while you cut them, place another strip of tape on the inside of the line.
Step 6: The bamboo ends should be flush with one another if you roll up your blinds.
Roll the blinds up from one end.The bamboo pieces don't move if you keep the roll tight.When the blinds are rolled up, tap on the ends to make them flat.Wrap tape around the middle of the roll to secure it.The bamboo pieces in the middle of the roll may come loose, so don't carry your blinds vertically.
Step 7: Cut along your line with a saw.
You should wear safety glasses whenever you work with a saw.Hold the tape in place with your nondominant hand if you position the blinds underneath the saw blade.Pull the saw handle down slowly.Lift the handle of the saw to stop it once the first cut is complete.If you have to, make cuts on the other side of the roll.If you want, you can use a manual hacksaw.
Step 8: Use a tape measure to measure the window's height.
Start at the top of the window where you plan on mounting your blinds.To record the measurement you found, pull the tape measure down to the bottom of the window frame.
Step 9: To mark the length on the back side, lay your blinds flat.
If you want your blinds to be face down, unroll them and spread them out on a flat surface.Take a measurement from the top of the blinds to the window.If you want your blinds to have a slight overhang, add 1–2 inches to the end of your measurement.At your measurement, draw a mark on each end of your blinds.Pick one of the bamboo pieces to draw your mark on.
Step 10: At the mark you just made, cut the main pull strings.
The thick cords that pull your blinds up are called pull strings.Use a pair of scissors to cut through the pull strings.Make your cut through the strings instead of at an angle.Cut through the pull strings on the back of your blinds.
Step 11: The ring has pull strings above it.
There are small metal or wood rings along the back of the blinds.Feed the ends of the pull string through the closest ring you can find.Attach the pull strings to the ring with 2 overhand knots.If you have pull strings on the back of your blinds, repeat the process.
Step 12: The blinds should be Glued together 1 in ( 2.5 cm) lower than the mark.
The bamboo pieces in your blinds are held together by strings that run from the top to the bottom.You can apply hot glue to the strings if you warm up the glue gun.Put a dot of glue on each of the small strings and start 1 inch lower than your mark.Glue the strings across the row.The pieces of your blinds will fall apart if you don't glue the strings down.
Step 13: Just below your glue, use a pair of scissors to cut through the strings.
To remove the bottom of the blinds, start your cut below the strings.You can cut across the blinds if you position your scissors in the gap between the bamboo pieces.Cut across the width of the blinds to get to the bottom piece.
Step 14: Attach the bottom 1 in with glue for a clean edge.
Unless you fold it over, the bottom of your blinds will have torn strings.Take the bottom 1 inch of the blinds and put it on the backside.Place a line of hot glue across the width of the blinds and press the folded over section in place.Put pressure on the glue for 10 seconds to give it time to dry.If you don't fold the piece onto the back side of the blinds, it will be hard to see.