Window shades

[Crows Nest]

How do I adjust tension on the window shades? They’re too difficult to open or close.

[brroberts]

The shade strings go to buttons / backstabbers at the bottom on each side of each shade. The strings are secured in these by the screw that mounts them to the wall. If you loosen this screw, and then pull on the strings, the tension on the strings will be less causing less tension on the shades. Retighten the screws once you have the tension you want.

[Crows Nest]

Thanks

[Mike G]

Hmm, thanks for the ask and the answer! I might have to try this on my back window's shade.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Mike G

Hmm, thanks for the ask and the answer! I might have to try this on my back window's shade.

Hi: Mike G... Someone pulls my strings a lot. She pushes my buttons too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[CharlesinGA]

If you are making major adjustments, the following may help.

The strings must be routed from the center of the spool to the outside thru the two holes. Routing the other way makes it impossible to tighten or loosen the strings except by tying knots.

Use strong spring clamps found at Home Depot or similar for 99 cents to clip to the window frame or the valance to hold the shade up while you work with the strings.

With the strings run thru the spool from the middle and leaving slack in the string, tie a knot in the strings. With the center screw snug but loose enough to turn the spool, turn the spool COUNTER CLOCK WISE, winding the string onto the spool a couple of turns until it tightens up. Tighten the screw. This way, tenson on the string will tend to tighten the screw, making it very unlikely to work loose.

When both sides are done, remove the clamps and work the shade, adjusting the spools for desired curtain tension.

Bigfoot did all of mine wrong, making adjustment impossible without re-routing the string from the inside of the spool.

Charles

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

If you are making major adjustments, the following may help.

The strings must be routed from the center of the spool to the outside thru the two holes. Routing the other way makes it impossible to tighten or loosen the strings except by tying knots.

Use strong spring clamps found at Home Depot or similar for 99 cents to clip to the window frame or the valance to hold the shade up while you work with the strings.

With the strings run thru the spool from the middle and leaving slack in the string, tie a knot in the strings. With the center screw snug but loose enough to turn the spool, turn the spool COUNTER CLOCK WISE, winding the string onto the spool a couple of turns until it tightens up. Tighten the screw. This way, tenson on the string will tend to tighten the screw, making it very unlikely to work loose.

When both sides are done, remove the clamps and work the shade, adjusting the spools for desired curtain tension.

Bigfoot did all of mine wrong, making adjustment impossible without re-routing the string from the inside of the spool.

Charles

That's very helpful information to know in general. Thanks, Charles.

[Crows Nest]

Mine only have one string through spool. See picture

[Mike G]

Someone (ETI or previous owner) tightened the screws on mine so tightly, I don't think I can budge them. Oh well, the shades are working...