How to hang honeycomb blinds?

MambourinNewbie

Hello,

Can you please advise can I drill just above the window frame (highlighted in the picture) to hang honeycomb blinds?

What exactly is behind that section of the plasterboard ? (Window Head?, Lintel? Stud?)

I tried using a stud finder to find a stud but there doesn't seem to be one in the position where I need it to be.

Please advise.

Jason

Let me tag one of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts in @EricL to assist you as soon as possible. Other helpful members like @Jewelleryrescue and @TedBear might also like to share their thoughts in the meantime about how they would go about hanging blinds.

Jason

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @MambourinNewbie

Another way to find studs is by sound. try a wall first to get the idea tap along a wall untill the sound is less hollow and when you are on a stud tapping the wall feels quite firm.

Tap /thump the top of the window ledge it should be hard and firm like thhe wall stud. That way you know your screw will be supported.

There most definatly is timber across the top of the window where you drew your yellow circle. If you measure up 10mm upwards from the gyprock edge

then the next 35mm should be timber all the way across so aim for the middle of the 35 mm should hit solid timber.

So to simplify measure up 25 to 35mm from the window gyprock egde and screw in there.

If you like. screw in a test screw first with out the blind to feel it bit into timber. But use tthe blind to mark your screw holes first as a guide.

MambourinNewbie

Appreciate your message @Jewelleryrescue .

As per the products installation manual, I am supposed to put the brackets in the location highlighted in Red in the attached picture.

Should it still be okay to drill holes accordingly that is, 25 - 35 mm above the top of the window frame so that I find the centre of the stud? Or would I be hitting something else? (Lintel?)

Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @MambourinNewbie

Lintel is the timber above the window we prefer to hit for screws.

Form your photo and red indications where the blind brackets go every thing strongly suggests a timber frame/lintel must be under that gyprock to support that corner 25 to 35 mm should find it as indicated. a test screw will prove it.

You will be hitting gyprock then timber which is what we want for maximum support if the screw misses timber it will be gyprock and then a void with limited support other options need to be explored.

Did the top window frame pass the thump test for firmness and limited/ reduced hollow sound as a test guide?

If you only get one screw of the bracket (each end) into timber it will support the blind completely if the second screw is higher into gyprock and void then it will still be supported well by the lower screw.

A lot of DIY is problem solving on the fly as we discover the true nature of whats underneath the gyprock in person. I am 98% sure there must be timber I allow 2% for unexpected circumstances.

TedBear

Hi @MambourinNewbie , what's behind the gyprock depends on what type of building construction your home has. If it's double brick, then the window frame will have a thin steel lintel above, supporting brick, or if it's brick veneer it will be a timber frame. The only way to be 100% sure of what is there, is to drill a tiny test hole and see what you hit. Then use mounting methods to suit; for brick, use masonry plugs, for timber use screws, for plaster (nothing behind) use hollow wall anchors.

EricL

Hello @MambourinNewbie

It's great that you've received excellent advice from our members. I'm in agreement with @TedBear's advice and that is to test the wall to find out what's behind it. I also suggest having a look at this guide - How to hang just about anything by @Adam_W.

I also recommend using Ramset 8 x 50mm Universal Anchor. This works on brick, concrete, wood and hollow wall applications. Please make sure to read the instructions before using.

Please remember to use personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when working on your project.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

TedBear

Thanks @EricL , I hadn't seen those before, but I will be adding some to my own workshop's collection of anchors.