How to Attach Blinds to Brick Veneer

In order to attach your blinds to brick veneer, you will need to drill through the brick veneer. Drilling through brick is risky enough, but brick veneer can be especially tricky because the actual brick is only 3-1/2" thick, and what is behind it can vary greatly, from drywall to studs to wood siding. Just make sure that the wall anchors you will be using for your project are no more than three inches long. Also, this article assumes that you have already measured your window frame and have purchased blinds that are the appropriate size.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Step ladder
• Tape measure
• Wall anchors
• Hammer
• Pencil
• New blinds and brackets
• Drill and masonry bit
• Screwdriver
• Spirit level
• Screws, which should come with your new blinds

How to Attach Blinds to Brick Veneer

1. Mark the frame by using the measuring tape to mark a spot four inches outside of the window's frame; this will be your point of reference from which all other measurements are made. The blind's rail location greatly depends on the shape and style of the window, but the rail will usually run just beneath the upper molding of a window's frame.

2. From your point of reference, trace an imaginary line upward using the spirit level. Stop just beneath the molding. Put the bracket in place, and use your pencil to mark through the bracket's fixing holes. This is where you will drill your first hole.

3. Affix the first bracket using the power drill and masonry bit. Drill into the wall only as deep as the wall anchors are long. Gently tap a wall anchor into the hole using a hammer. Then, place a screw through the bracket and slide the screw into the wall anchor. Screw the bracket to the wall.

4. Using the spirit level, measure across from the first bracket to where the second will be placed. Measure out four inches from that location, just as you did with the first bracket. Repeat step three for the new bracket.

5. Depending on the size of the window, you may now need to pencil in the location of any support brackets, which you should space evenly along the head rail, affixing them just as you did in steps three and four.

6. Once the brackets are attached to the wall, you can attach the blinds. The process is different for each new set of blinds, but in most cases you will insert each side of the head rail into the appropriate end bracket and snap it closed.

7. Attach the tilt wand included with your blinds to one of the small hooks located at either end of the railing. This will enable you to open and close the blinds.

Tips & Warnings

• If your drill is equipped with hammer action, this feature will need to be turned on when drilling through the brick veneer. You can use measuring tape to make sure the blinds' railing sits evenly between the two main, outer brackets. Rubbing wax on the screws before installing the brackets will make them screw in easier.
• Never use a power drill on brick veneer without a masonry bit; this type of drill bit is specifically designed for brick work.

References

• About Brick Veneer
• Measuring for Blinds