Moving home – can roller blinds or pleated blinds be reused in a new property?
Moving home often involves deciding which furnishings to take with you and which to leave behind. When it comes to made-to-measure roller blinds and pleated blinds, the answer is not always straightforward. A blind made to fit one window may not fit another, even if the two look very similar at first glance.
Differences may concern not only the width and height but also the shape of the frame, the glazing beads, the position of the handle and the available space for brackets. It is therefore best to check whether your roller blinds or pleated blinds can be reused before you move.
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Start by checking the window measurements
Made-to-measure roller blinds and pleated blinds are designed for a specific window. Before deciding that a particular blind will be coming with you to your new home, compare the old and new windows. Start with the measurements required for the installation method used by your system, but do not limit your checks to the width and height of the glass.
Before removing the blinds, record the size of each one and add a short note describing where it was fitted, for example, “living room – left-hand sash” or “bedroom – balcony window”. If you have several similar roller blinds or pleated blinds, these labels will make it much easier to match them to the right windows later.
Take a close look at the construction of the new window as well. Check the glazing beads, the thickness and shape of the frame, the position of the handle and the way the sash opens. Two windows with very similar measurements may have different constructions, and brackets that fitted the previous window may not be suitable for the new one.
The installation method used by the particular blind is also important. The correct way to measure for pleated blinds may vary depending on the type of fixing. Before moving them, check both the measurements and the construction of your system. For day and night blinds, standard roller blinds and blackout blinds, pay particular attention to the measurements required to fit the blind correctly to the new window sash.
| Practical tip! |
Before removing a roller blind or pleated blind, take a photo of it on the old window. This will make it easier to recreate the position of the brackets and identify which sash each blind belonged to when you fit it again.
No-drill or drilled installation – which blinds are easiest to move?
No-drill roller blinds and pleated blinds
When moving home, the most convenient systems are usually those that can be removed without unscrewing components fixed into the frame. The bracket is removed from the sash together with the blind. You can then check whether it can be fitted correctly to the new window.
Inspect the fittings after removing the blind. If they are cracked, distorted or no longer remain firmly in place, do not reuse them. In this situation, visit the mounting kit section of our online shop. You may only need to replace the necessary parts rather than buy an entirely new roller blind or pleated blind.
The day and night blinds, standard roller blinds and blackout roller blinds in our current range are intended for no-drill installation. Our range of pleated blinds includes both no-drill models and systems fitted by drilling.
Blinds installed by drilling
This type of installation requires a little more care when moving. Components screwed into the window must be removed carefully to avoid damaging the mechanism or losing any small parts.
New fixing points will need to be made in your new home. Do not assume that the holes can be drilled in exactly the same positions as on the previous window. First, hold the blind in place, check its position and make sure it will not obstruct the handle or prevent the sash from opening freely.
If you are renting your new home, check beforehand whether the landlord allows drilling into the window frame.
How to remove and transport roller blinds safely when moving home
It is best to remove roller blinds and pleated blinds before you begin carrying out furniture and moving boxes. This gives you time to protect them properly instead of placing them somewhere unsuitable among your other belongings.
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Do not crush, fold or place heavy items on the fabrics during transport. Long profiles and guide rails also require particular protection, as they may stop working correctly if bent. Pack brackets, end caps and other small parts with the relevant blind. The simplest solution is to place them in a labelled bag and attach it to the blind’s packaging. This way, you will not have to work out whether a particular fitting belongs to the living room roller blind or the bedroom pleated blind after the move.
Protect the mechanism against impacts and transport long components flat or in a position that minimises the risk of bending.
A small difference in measurements – could the blind still fit?
This can be one of the more difficult situations because there is no single universal figure that determines how much difference between the old and new window is acceptable.
A slightly wider roller blind may obstruct the handle, while one that is too narrow will leave uncovered areas at the sides. With a pleated blind, a change in the width of the installation area may prevent the entire system from being fitted correctly.
A difference of one centimetre does not therefore determine whether the blind will fit. What matters is whether it remains secure after installation, operates without obstruction and covers the glass as expected.
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When is it better to order a new made-to-measure blind?
A new blind will be the more sensible choice if the measurements or construction of the new window differ significantly from those of the previous one, or if your existing fixing system does not suit the new frame.
There is little point in moving a roller blind simply because it can still be hung in some way. If it does not cover the glass correctly, interferes with the use of the window or requires makeshift alterations or an unusual arrangement of fittings, it is better not to reuse it.
Consider the condition of the product as well. Heavily worn fabric, a damaged mechanism or worn-out fittings are signs that moving home could be a good opportunity to replace the blind.
Moving home is an opportunity to reconsider which blinds suit each room
The roller blind from your old bedroom does not necessarily need to go into the new bedroom. The size of the window is not the only consideration; how you plan to use the new room matters too. Your living room may now face a busy street, your desk may be positioned directly beside the window in your home office, or your bedroom may receive much more light in the morning than it did in your previous home.
If you want to control the amount of light entering the room, a day and night blind allows you to adjust the position of its alternating fabric strips and change how much of the window is covered.
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If you only want to cover a selected part of the glass, such as the lower section facing the pavement, a pleated blind may be more practical. Its construction allows you to adjust its position and choose which part of the window is covered according to your current needs.
Before fitting the blind, consider where it will genuinely be most useful rather than automatically assigning it to the same type of room as before.
What should you check before deciding to take your blinds with you?
Before removing your blinds, work through this short checklist:
- Measurements of the old and new windows – compare them according to the installation method.
- Fixing method – check whether the system uses no-drill brackets or requires drilling.
- Window construction – consider the frame, glazing beads and space available for the brackets.
- Position of the handle – make sure the blind and its mechanism will not obstruct access.
- Unrestricted window opening – the sash should operate freely after the blind has been fitted.
- Condition of the product – check the fabric, mechanism and fixing components.
- All parts present – make sure you have every component before packing the blind.
- Purpose of the new room – consider whether the roller blind or pleated blind still meets your needs regarding light and privacy.
Moving home does not necessarily mean replacing all your roller blinds and pleated blinds. If a blind fits the new window, is in good condition and still meets the needs of the room, you can reuse it without concern.
However, if the differences in the measurements or construction of the window are too great, choosing a new made-to-measure roller blind or pleated blind will be more sensible. As moving home usually involves plenty of expenses, you can use the discount code MOVINGDISCOUNT5 when placing a new order in the Estika online shop.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take made-to-measure roller blinds to my new home?
You can reuse made-to-measure roller blinds if they fit the new windows, are in good condition and still meet the needs of the room. Before moving, compare not only the window measurements but also the shape of the frame, the glazing beads, the position of the handle, the space available for brackets and the way the sash opens.
How can I check whether an old roller blind fits a new window?
Compare the measurements of the old and new windows according to the installation method used by your roller blind. Then make sure the blind is secure, covers the glass correctly, does not obstruct the handle and does not prevent the sash from opening. Check that the fittings also suit the construction of the new frame.
Does a small difference in window measurements matter?
There is no universal figure defining an acceptable difference between window measurements. A roller blind that is too wide may obstruct the handle, while one that is too narrow will leave sections of glass uncovered. For a pleated blind, a change in the width of the installation area may prevent the system from being fitted correctly.
Which no-drill roller blinds and pleated blinds are easiest to move?
No-drill systems are the easiest to move because they can be removed from the window sash without unscrewing components fixed into the frame. After removal, check that the brackets fit the new window and are not cracked, distorted or unstable. Do not reuse damaged fittings.
How should I protect roller blinds and pleated blinds while moving?
Remove the blinds before carrying out furniture and boxes, then protect their mechanisms against impacts. Do not crush, fold or place heavy objects on the fabrics. Transport long profiles and guide rails flat or in a position that protects them from bending, and keep small parts in labelled bags with the relevant blinds.
When is it better to order a new made-to-measure roller blind or pleated blind?
It is worth ordering a new made-to-measure roller blind or pleated blind if the construction or measurements of the new window differ significantly from those of the previous one, or if the fixing system does not suit the frame. Replacement will also be more sensible if the blind does not cover the glass correctly, interferes with the use of the window or has worn fabric, a damaged mechanism or worn fittings.
Standard Pleated Blinds
Blackout Pleated Blinds
Honeycomb Pleated Blinds
Day & Night Blinds
Blackout Blinds
Standard Blinds
Custom Roof Blinds