How to Easily Repair Cellular Shades: A Comprehensive Guide

Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb or accordion shades, are a popular choice for window coverings due to their energy-efficiency, light-blocking capabilities, and sleek appearance. While these shades are generally durable and long-lasting, they may occasionally require repairs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most common cellular shade issues and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix them yourself, saving you time and money.

Understanding Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are constructed using multiple layers of fabric that are glued and folded together, creating a series of cells or pockets. These cells provide insulation, reducing heat transfer and improving energy efficiency. Cellular shades can be made from various materials, including fabric, paper, polyester, or a combination of these. Some shades may also have a mylar or metal coating to enhance insulation.

Cellular shades come in a variety of pleat sizes, typically ranging from ⅜” to 1 ¼” wide. They can have a single cell, double cells, or even triple cells, depending on the manufacturer and model. These shades can be operated using different mechanisms, such as pulling on strings, a continuous cord loop and clutch, a retractable pull cord, an internal cordless mechanism, or motorization.

Common Cellular Shade Issues and Repairs

While cellular shades are generally easy to maintain, there are a few common issues that may arise over time. Here are some of the most frequent problems and their solutions:

Uneven Bottom Rail

If the bottom rail of your cellular shade appears uneven when raising or lowering the shade, it could be due to worn cord guides or a stuck cord lock. Inspect the headrail and check for any obvious signs of wear. If necessary, replace the cord guides or cord lock. Re-stringing the shade can also help fix an uneven bottom rail.

Noisy Operation

Over time, cellular shades may become noisy when raising or lowering them. This is often caused by the plastic piece that keeps the metal components inside the headrail from rubbing together. To fix this issue, open the headrail and move the plastic piece to the end of the metal spears, reducing the noise produced by the shade.

Excess Lift Cord Length

If your lift cord is too long, you can easily adjust it by untying the top knot from the cord that feeds into the cord collector. Push the cap or stop ball up to the desired height and retie the knot. Lower the shade completely to ensure the cord length is at the right height, then trim off any excess cord with scissors.

Shade Rubbing Against Surfaces

If your cellular shade rubs against the window, wall, or molding when being raised or lowered, it may need to be reinstalled using an extension bracket. An extension bracket can add a few extra inches to the shade’s projection from the wall or window, providing enough clearance for smooth operation.

Excessive Shade Movement

If your cellular shade moves around too much on the window or door, it may be time for a replacement. Blindster.com offers a wide assortment of customizable accordion/cellular/honeycomb shades, including size, color, and lift mechanism options. Sometimes a new shade is the best solution for an old, broken one.

Step-by-Step Cellular Shade Restringing Guide

One of the most common cellular shade repairs is restringing. Follow these steps to restring your shade:

1. Measure the length and width of your shade to determine the necessary string length. Use the formula: twice the length plus the width.
2. Loosen the Phillips screws on the bracket behind the shade by two full turns, allowing the shade to come out towards you.
3. Remove the shade from the window and lay it on a flat, covered surface.
4. Remove the condensers, tassels, cord lock, and end cap from the top rail.
5. Slide the top part of the top rail off and flip the shade over.
6. Using pliers, pull the string with the pocket and ferule until it releases, then remove the ferule.
7. Pull out the old strings and discard them.
8. Thread a new string through the needle and pull it through the fabric. Thread the string through the ferule, leaving about an inch-long tail, and pull through to seat.
9. Repeat step 8 for the remaining strings.
10. Flip the shade over and install the string guides. If the guides show wear, turn them so the string rides on the unworn side or replace them.
11. Slide the top rail back on, being careful not to snag the fabric.
12. Replace the end cap and thread a string through the cord lock and latch.
13. Carefully slide the cord lock into the rail, making sure not to snag the strings.
14. Rehang the shade by sliding the top front portion onto the bracket first, ensuring the front tab of the bracket is seated in the slot at the front of the headrail.
15. Push the shade back until it is fully seated, then tighten the Phillips screws to secure it.
16. Test your repair by raising and lowering the shade.
17. With the shade fully raised, cut the strings a few inches below where the shade should stop when lowered.
18. Install the condenser and tassel.

Remember to always use the appropriate tools and take safety precautions when working with cellular shades. If you are unsure about any aspect of the repair or feel uncomfortable attempting it yourself, it’s best to consult with a professional or consider replacing the shade.