Restringing top down bottom up cordless cellular shades can seem daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, it’s a task that can be easily accomplished at home. Whether your shade’s strings have broken due to wear and tear, pets, or accidental damage, this guide will walk you through the process of replacing them and restoring your shade to its former glory.
Gather Your Tools
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand. You’ll need:
Scissors
Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
Needle
Wire restring tool
Pliers
Rubber bands
It’s also a good idea to have a clean, flat surface to work on and a well-lit area to ensure you can see what you’re doing.
Remove the Shade from the Brackets
The first step in restringing your top down bottom up cordless cellular shade is to remove it from the brackets. Here’s how to do it:
Stick the blade of a flathead screwdriver between the bracket and the back of the headrail.
Twist the screwdriver, and the shade will disengage from the brackets.
If your brackets are plastic, push the tab up on the back of the bracket and pull the shade forward.
Be careful when removing the shade, as the strings may be delicate. Once the shade is free, set it aside on your work surface.
Disassemble the Shade
Next, you’ll need to disassemble the shade to access the broken strings. Follow these steps:
Unscrew the tassel and set it aside.
Using a flathead screwdriver, open the cord stop, remove it from the strings, and set it aside.
Use the flathead screwdriver to take the end caps off the top rail and set them aside.
Take out the screw using the Phillips screwdriver and slide the top rail off.
Using the needle nose pliers, push the cord lock clips in from the side and slide the cord lock out, removing the strings and setting the cord lock aside.
Be sure to keep all the small parts organized and in a safe place to avoid losing them.
Restring the Cord Lock
With the shade disassembled, it’s time to restring the cord lock. Follow these steps carefully:
Restring the cord lock by first picking up the strings coming out of the cord lock gap.
Thread them through the side opening of the cord lock and out of the back opening.
Thread them back through the back opening and out of the front opening.
Make sure to pass the strings through the black rectangular piece inside the cord lock.
Pull the strings tight so that the strings are only in the front and side openings.
Take your time with this step, as proper restringing of the cord lock is crucial for the smooth operation of your shade.
Reassemble the Shade
Now that the cord lock is restrung, it’s time to put the shade back together. Follow these steps:
Slide the top rail onto the shade, pulling the strings tight through the cord lock. The end of the rail without the cord lock should be slid on first.
Replace the screw using the Phillips screwdriver to secure the top rail.
Reattach the end caps to the top rail.
Slide the cord lock back into place, making sure the clips are secure.
Reattach the cord stop and screw on the tassel.
Double-check that all the components are properly aligned and secured before moving on to the next step.
Test and Adjust
With the shade fully reassembled, it’s time to test it out and make any necessary adjustments. Follow these steps:
Hang the shade back on the brackets, making sure it’s securely in place.
Operate the shade, raising and lowering it to ensure the strings are running smoothly through the cord lock and the shade is moving freely.
If the shade is not operating smoothly or the strings are not taut enough, you may need to adjust the tension.
To adjust the tension, simply pull the strings through the cord lock until they are taut and the shade moves up and down easily.
If you’re still having issues, double-check that all the components are properly aligned and secured, and make any necessary adjustments.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully restrung your top down bottom up cordless cellular shade. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to tackle this task with ease whenever the need arises.