Why North Dartmouth window coverings wear the way they do
Blind and shade repair is a service we welcome. If a window covering you already own has stopped behaving, it is often worth a look before anyone talks about replacing it.
The houses around North Dartmouth put window coverings through a fair amount. In the older colonials and capes near Padanaram, shades are raised and lowered every day in rooms people actually live in. On mid-century ranches off Slocum Road, a big picture window or a slider sees constant use. The deep, old sash on the farm properties toward Russells Mills can be slightly out of square, which puts uneven wear on a shade over time. And in South Dartmouth rooms that face Apponagansett Bay, years of strong afternoon sun take their toll on cords and fabric.
Problems we are asked about
Lift and cords
A shade that will not stay up, drifts down, or lifts unevenly, and cords that have frayed or snapped.
Slats, vanes and louvers
A broken slat, a loose louver on a shutter panel, or a vane that no longer tilts with the rest.
Motorized shades
A PowerView shade that has stopped responding or has lost its place in a schedule.
How a repair works
We keep it simple and honest. Some repairs are straightforward; some products are better replaced. Either way, you hear the truth before anything is done.
- Tell us what the product is, where it hangs and what has gone wrong. A photo helps.
- We let you know whether it sounds like something we can repair.
- If it is, we arrange to look at it properly and explain what the fix involves.
- If a repair does not make sense, we say so plainly, and talk through what would work instead only if you want to.
When repair makes sense
Blind and shade repair makes the most sense when the product itself is still sound: the fabric is in good shape, the headrail is straight and the problem is a part that has worn out. A cord, a tension piece or a single slat is usually a far smaller job than a new shade.
It makes less sense when the fabric has faded or split from years of sun, when several parts are failing at once, or when the product no longer suits the room. In those cases, we would rather tell you than repair something that will let you down again.
Request a Consultation
Visit a showroom or let us bring the showroom to you, with samples, an expert and a free estimate.
Older windows, older shades
Repairs often come down to the window as much as the product. On deep, out-of-square sash, a shade that was never quite level wears one side of its lift faster than the other, and the fix may include resetting the brackets as well as replacing a part. On a slider that is used all day, the bottom of a vertical product takes the knocks. Blind and shade repair on those windows is partly about putting right how the product hangs, so the same problem does not come straight back.
Looking after shades between repairs
A lot of wear comes from small habits. Raising and lowering a shade straight rather than at an angle keeps the lift even. Shutter louvers last longer when they are tilted with the control rather than pushed one by one. Dust lifts off most fabrics with a soft brush or a vacuum on low. Our guide to caring for fabric shades has more on everyday care.
Repairs near North Dartmouth
We offer blind and shade repair in a tighter area than our other work, centered on our showrooms. Around North Dartmouth that includes repairs in Dartmouth and repairs in New Bedford, among nearby towns. If you are not sure whether your town is covered, ask when you get in touch.
Repairs from a Hunter Douglas Gallery dealer
As a Hunter Douglas Gallery dealer with certified Hunter Douglas installation, we know how these products are built and how they are meant to be fitted.
That knowledge is what makes blind and shade repair worthwhile: a repair done properly, with the product set back the way it should be, so it keeps working.
Repair questions
What should I tell you about the problem?
What the product is, if you know, which room it is in, and what it is doing or not doing. A photo of the shade and of any label on the headrail helps a great deal.
Do you repair shutters as well as shades?
Tell us what has gone wrong with the shutter and we will let you know whether it is something we can repair.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace?
It depends on the product and the problem. When the shade itself is in good condition, a repair is often the sensible choice. We will give you an honest view.
Can you fix a motorized shade?
Tell us what it is doing. Some problems with PowerView shades are about pairing or settings rather than parts, and some need a closer look.
Do I have to buy anything new?
No. A repair is a repair. If you later want new window coverings, our in-home consultations are there for that.
Where do you do repairs?
In a tighter area around our showrooms than our other services. Ask when you get in touch and we will tell you whether your home is covered.
Tell us what needs fixing
Request a consultation and describe the problem, or call the North Dartmouth showroom using the call button.
See all of our window treatment services.