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Lifting Mechanisms Unlike draperies or curtains, you will be making your own mounting system. The reason for this is that your lift lines determine where the hardware is on the mounting board. Each and every window is a different size, so your headrail must be made to fit. It is very easy to make the lifting system and "Terrell's way" will be described later on. We refer to the hardware attached to the headrail as the lifting mechanism. This hardware provides a way for the lift cords, which are tied to the lowest row of lift rings, to exit one side of the shade so that you can evenly and easily lift the shade. Let's look at the options for lifting mechanisms. First, you have to begin with a board. The recommended mounting board is a 1x2 pine board. These are readily available in all lumber stores and home stores, such as The Home Depot. The actual size of the board is usually 3/4" by 1-1/2" and it is sold in 3-ft, 6-ft and 8-ft lengths. The lifting hardware is attached to the "bottom" of this board and your shade is either attached (with staples or Velcro) to the front of the board (in the case of a Classic Roman shade) or hung from the board (in the case of a Top-Down shade). Each lift cord runs up a column of lift rings to the top of the shade. It is necessary to "direct" each cord along the top of the board and out one side of the shade. The cords are then braided together and used to lift the shade.
Advantages:
inexpensive
Advantages:
operating the shade is smooth and easy.
Advantages:
you don't need a cord cleat. Some people think that this gives a more
"professional" look.
Advantages:
you don't need a cord cleat. You are definitely "up-to-date"
as far as sophistication for your lift mechanism. There is one more lifting option: motorization. These are available using a light-switch mechanism and/or a remote control. Since this involves hard wiring and a special (and expensive) headrail, I doubt that I will be discussing that option any time soon.
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The simplest and
least expensive option is to use screw eyes. A cord cleat is
used to tie-off the cord at any position.
The next
method is to use pulleys instead of screw eyes. I have seen
shades that have only one pulley at the location where the cords exit
the shade. This does make the shade easier to pull up, but the cord
still rubs on the other screw eyes. I prefer to use a simple pulley at
EACH cord location. Once again, a cord cleat is used to tie-off the cord
at any position.
The
third method
is to use a Cord Lock pulley in tandem with the outside pulley.
The remaining lift lines use a simple pulley. This eliminates the need
for a cord cleat. The shade is "locked" into place by swinging
the lift cord away from the shade. The shade is "released" by
swinging the lift cord toward the center of the shade.
The
fourth method
is to use a Continuous Loop System. This is becoming the
"standard" lift system on ready-made shades sold in stores
such as Sears and Home Depot. This system is also call a Clutch Lift
System. The lift cords are wound around a metal shaft that is
suspended from brackets attached to the mounting board. There is no need
for a cord cleat since the shade is position by pulling on the looped
cord.
