How to get motorised roman blinds over protruding window sill

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timmmay

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#300711 29-Sep-2022 14:37

We have roman blinds that are motorised, and I can automate using Home Assistant. The problem we have is the window sills protrude a fair way out from the wall so the blinds sit there instead of going all the way down. Our current solution is to stand there while each blind goes down and lift it over the window sill. I'd like a better solution.

The two general approaches I've thought of are:

Make the window sill shorter. This means a builder, mess, cutting, etc, and it probably won't be straight. One builder said he could take the whole board out and put a new one in. Sounds like too much hassle to us.
Put something at the bottom of the frame to push the blinds out. This might work, but it has to look ok otherwise my wife will veto it.

Any alternate suggestions? Or suggestions what might look ok sitting there to push the blinds out before they hit the window sill?

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#2974800 29-Sep-2022 14:47

I suggest either: leave it as is and only allow the blind to go right to the sill (photo shows it slightly above), or trim the sill. Having it sit in front of the overhang will look a little ugly and create a gap for air to get in, reducing the blind's effectiveness at keeping heat in significantly.

EDIT: clarity

wellygary

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#2974801 29-Sep-2022 14:49

I would look as roughing up some triangle pieces of wood to guide the blinds out... paint them white and they should look Ok,

If you wanted more minimalist you could probably do it with white plastic coasted wire bent into a triangle...

But as another poster says, this work against the blinds doing any insualtion, + it will possibly let in more light bleed around the bottom

lxsw20

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#2974803 29-Sep-2022 14:52

Could ramp it out at the bottom with a big door stop on each end of the window or something. I suspect low WAF though as it won't be pretty.

eracode

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#2974804 29-Sep-2022 14:57

timmmay:

Make the window sill shorter.

Do you mean narrower?

If that’s the case, it shouldn’t be too difficult to reduce the width without removing and replacing the sill.

Why is it important to have the blinds lower than the sill? Appears to look OK as it is.

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timmmay

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#2974918 29-Sep-2022 15:35

Before we ordered I thought the blinds would sit on the sills, but my wife decided they have to go over, so that's that.

Narrowing / shortening the sill is something I asked two builders. Both said it would be difficult to do it accurately. If they can't do it I definitely can't!

I was thinking something triangle that I didn't have to cut and paint myself, at least as a test. They would also look pretty odd when the blinds are up.

BlueOwl

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#2974948 29-Sep-2022 17:03

If you know someone with an electric planer - that would cut the sill back fairly quickly and wouldn't require rebuilding it (only repainting the front face). Depends if there's room on the right side of the sill though - it would be difficult if that side is close to a corner.

MadEngineer

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#2974960 29-Sep-2022 18:01

Get a second roller blind that’s mounted further out that clears the windowsill. Similar to what some people do with a dual privacy and blackout blind.

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timmmay

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#2974971 29-Sep-2022 18:38

BlueOwl:

If you know someone with an electric planer - that would cut the sill back fairly quickly and wouldn't require rebuilding it (only repainting the front face). Depends if there's room on the right side of the sill though - it would be difficult if that side is close to a corner.

I just looked at them on youtube.... they might be just the ticket! I might see if I can find someone who can do it still, better than me a beginner.

MadEngineer: Get a second roller blind that’s mounted further out that clears the windowsill. Similar to what some people do with a dual privacy and blackout blind.

We already have roller sun filter blinds and blackout roman blinds that cost the better part of $10K. This one is the insulated blackout blinds.

eracode

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#2975071 29-Sep-2022 21:53

BlueOwl:

If you know someone with an electric planer - that would cut the sill back fairly quickly and wouldn't require rebuilding it (only repainting the front face). Depends if there's room on the right side of the sill though - it would be difficult if that side is close to a corner.

Exactly what I was thinking when I said earlier that it wouldn’t be hard to do. It wouldn’t even be that difficult with a hand-plane - would just take a bit longer. I’m a reasonably capable DIYer and could do it in a few minutes. Any competent builder should be able to do it easily.

@timmmay If you live anywhere near Auckland N Shore, I’d be happy to give you a hand with it. I have an electric planer.

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timmmay

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#2975114 30-Sep-2022 07:00

Thanks for the offer @eracode, I'm in Wellington.

A hand plane I would completely stuff up! An electric one... probably less so. I have a builder here in a few weeks doing something else, so I might ask if he has the right tools and is confident he can do a decent job.

eracode

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#2975117 30-Sep-2022 07:25

timmmay:

Thanks for the offer @eracode, I'm in Wellington.

A hand plane I would completely stuff up! An electric one... probably less so. I have a builder here in a few weeks doing something else, so I might ask if he has the right tools and is confident he can do a decent job.

IMO an electric plane would be harder to control for someone learning how to use one - particularly holding it vertically and keeping it plumb while moving it horizontally. They're easiest to use when they're being held horizontally and working downward. Would be a lot quicker but not necessarily easier than a hand plane.

Hope your builder can assist - let us know how you get on.

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timmmay

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#2975118 30-Sep-2022 07:29

Will do, thanks :) I'll also have to see if my wife wants them shortened, triangles to push the blinds out, or if she'd prefer to do it manually... I'd like to automate things.

gcorgnet

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#2975123 30-Sep-2022 07:38

Hi @timmmay, are you able to share more about what motorised roman blinds you have?
We just got a bunch of blinds/curtains/romans and I had just assumed that romans couldn't be automated.

Cheers

eracode

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#2975124 30-Sep-2022 07:39

timmmay:

Will do, thanks :) I'll also have to see if my wife wants them shortened, triangles to push the blinds out, or if she'd prefer to do it manually... I'd like to automate things.

I think my Plan B would be to try @wellygary 's idea of "white plastic-coated wire bent into a triangle". Attach single straight pieces (say 120mm) of the wire to the outside of the architrave on each side, sloping outward at their lower ends to meet the face/outside of the sill. Would be reasonably low-visual and has some elegant simplicity.

Blinds come down, hit the wires and move outward to clear the sill as they move further down.

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mrdrifter

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#2975192 30-Sep-2022 08:03

eracode:

I think my Plan B would be to try @wellygary 's idea of "white plastic-coated wire bent into a triangle". Attach single straight pieces (say 120mm) of the wire to the outside of the architrave on each side, sloping outward at their lower ends to meet the face/outside of the sill. Would be reasonably low-visual and has some elegant simplicity.

Blinds come down, hit the wires and move outward to clear the sill as they move further down.

Could also consider 3d printing the ramps, gives lots of options for the exact design and asthetic for the acceptance factor.

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