How To Install Cordless Honeycomb Shades

A. Getting Started
Congratulations on making an Energy Smart choice in window fashions. Windows bring beauty and light into your home, but they can also bea major source of heat loss during the winter months and a source of heat gain in the summer. Your new Energy Smart Insulating Shades may make a difference. By limiting the airflow in and around leaking windows, your Energy Smart shades could save you money year round. Your furnace and air conditioner may experience less stress, and you could see lower energy costs as a result.
The Parts: Before getting started, please remove and identify the following parts required for the installation of your shades:
B. The Tools
To install your Great Windows Cordless Honeycomb Shades, you will need a few basic tools:
  • Phillips head screwdriver* or
  • 1/4" nut Driver*
*Power screwdriver or power drill with a #2 Phillips attachment or 1/4" nut driver attachment may be used.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Screws provided are for installation into wooden frames only. For metal surfaces, use suitable sheet metal screws and pre-drill holes. For concrete, stone, brick, or tile, use a carbide drill and appropriate anchors and screws. For wallboard or plaster, use hollow wall anchors and/or longer screws to reach framing or stud. In all cases, follow the fastener manufacturer's recommendations.
C. Sorting Your Shades
Inside the headrail of your Great Windows Cordless Honeycomb Shades, there is a sorting label. This appears as seen at right:

On this label, you will recognize:

  • Order size of the shade
  • Room location (If not present, info not given at time of order)
  • Whether the shade was ordered for inside mount (IB) or Outside mount (OB)
D. Bracket Installation
Shades are shipped with the required number of brackets for proper installation. End brackets should be located to the outside of the cord spools. Depending on the width of the shade, additional brackets may be necessary, evenly spaced between the two end brackets.
shade width number of
brackets
To 40" 2
40" to 72" 3
72" to 84" 4
84" + 5
  1. Using the Installation Bracket as a template, measure to the edge of the bracket and mark the hole locations with a pencil for drilling. When mounting brackets, make sure they are in line and level. Shim brackets on inside mounts if necessary. The headrail must be level for the shade to operate properly.

Inside or Ceiling Mount:
Use the top bracket holes.

 Outside or Wall Mount:
Use the rear bracket holes.
Outside Mount with Spacer Blocks:
Optional spacer block will project bracket 3/8".

 Side Mount with Extension Brackets:

E. Inserting the Headrail
  1. First, lower the bottom rail about an inch. This will help keep the fabric from getting caught between the brackets and the headrail.
  2. Position the headrail with the front lip resting on the top hooks of all the brackets (Figure 1). Make sure that no fabric is pinched between the brackets and the headrail.
  3. Push the bottom of the headrail firmly upwards and toward the window until the groove at the bottom of the headrail snaps into place as shown (Figure 2).
F. Installing the Handle
Locate the center of the bottom rail. Gently lift fabric out of the way. Hook the top of the handle over the front lip on the bottom rail. Rotate handle down until it snaps into place.

G. Operating Your Cellular Honeycomb Shades
  1. To lower the shade, pull down on the handle which is secured to the bottom rail.
  2. To raise the shade, push the bottomrail up. The shade will hold at any position when the bottom rail is released.

This product should be operated from the center of the rail. For out-of reach operations, an optional extension pole should be used. Be sure to raise the shade slowly and steadily to allow the shade enough time to stack evenly. Use handle when raising and lowering the shade for better support and smoother operation.
H. Adjust Length or Equalization on Shades
Note: Only adjust one cord at a time. Disconnecting more than one cord may allow the cords to retract into the headrail.
  1. If the shade length and equalization is satisfactory, simply trim the excess cord hanging below the bottom rail.
  1. If adjustments are necessary, pull the excess cord at the bottom of the shade down until the Bottom Rail Plug is released (Figure 1). Push the cord up through the Bottom Rail Plug (Figure 2).
  1. If the cord needs to be longer, slide the bottom end of the cord up into the wedge and slide the wedge down to take up slack.
  1. If the cord needs to be shorter, slide the top end of the cord down into the wedge and slide the wedge up to take up slack.
  1. Adjust the position of the plug as necessary (Figure 3).
  1. Feed the cord back through the Bottom Rail Plugs (Figure 4).
  1. Push the Bottom Rail Plug back into the Bottom Rail Pocket.
  1. When bottom rail adjustments have been made, trim excess cord hanging below the bottom rail.
I. Optional Hold Down Brackets
Optional Hold Down brackets are mounted with the supplied screws.
  1. With the shade at its proper drop, place the pin of each Hold Down into the hole in each End Cap and mark the screw holes. Make sure the pins are level and aligned.

  2. Raise the shade, then screw the Hold Down bracket into the mounting surface.

J. Removing the Headrail
  1. To remove a shade, insert a screwdriver between the headrail and the bottom back of the bracket (tab which extends out slightly from each bracket).
  2. Gently pry the screwdriver to release the bracket from the headrail. Take care not to damage the painted finish of the headrail.
  3. As you release the brackets, support the headrail to keep it from falling.
Child Safety
At Great WindowsTM child safety is first. All of our products are fitted with the highest quality components that provide one of the most complete safety measures in the industry. Our honeycomb shades for example, are now available with the cordless lift system. The shades can be raised or lowered with a touch of a bottom rail handle. Without any exposed cording this product offers the assurance you need for honeycomb window covering in rooms accessed by young children.
Cleaning and Care
In order to keep your window treatments looking new, follow the recommended methods for care and maintenance. Regular care will result in better appearance and performance from your window coverings.
The honeycomb fabric is easy to care for. Regular dusting with a feather duster or vacuum cleaner brush is recommended. Most stains can be blotted with a damp sponge and mild detergent. For problem stains, the shade can be removed from the installation brackets and soaked in warm water.
IMPORTANT: Do Not immerse headrail in water. When damp, raise the shade tightly to re-crisp pleats. Before using anything stronger than mild detergent and lukewarm water, test an obtrusive corner of the shade.