While installing most blinds or shades is not a difficult task, there are a few things to know before you seriously commits to the project.  With custom blinds or shades a poor or faulty installtion can lead to expensive problems.  So follow these simple tips to stay out of trouble.  

 A good installation starts with a correctly sized window treatment.   If one is buying a custom blind or shade, then measuring and ordering the right size for your window is critical.  If the window isn't square or is narrower at the top or in the middle, and one only measured the bottom of the openning, then there could be problems when it comes time to install any insided mounted treatments.  For outside mounted treatments, are the blinds being installed large enough to cover the desired opening, trim and any gaps that may compromise privacy or allow unwanted light into the room?

The actual installation of a blind typically involved attaching two or more brackets to the window frame or wall with screws (anchored into wood, studs or supported with mollys) and for some larger blinds a support bracket.   Read any directions to learn how far from the end the brackets are to be placed.  Be sure they don't interfere with any moving parts in the blind or that they are too far from the ends.  If screwing into hard wood, use self tapping screws or predrill a hole so the screw used for the bracket won't split the wood.  If you are screwing into a metal window frame, be sure you aren't putting holes into a sealed unit or into the edge of the glass inside the frame.  Before screwing any brackets into place, check your mounting and confirm that hanging the blind in that position will work.  Are there any window cranks, framing members or other issues that will interfere with the operation or movement of the blind where you want to mount it?

Measure and mark the desired position of the brackets.  Attach them using the provided screws or ones appropriate to the task.  Two screws per bracket will prevent them from twisting and provides more long term support.  If screwing into drywall, be sure there is additional support either in a stud behind the wall or use a molly as dry wall alone will not hold the weight and pulling forces applied to a typical blind long term.  Shim pieces (plastic, wood or even a small screw head) can be used around the brackets to level them or to prevent them from tipping downward if there is slanted molding on a face mount.

Mount the shade in the brackets and double check to be sure there are no cords, fabric or pleats pinched in-between the bracket and the blind rail before tightening the bracket onto the blind all the way or operating the shade for the first time.