How to Repair a Broken Cord Loop on Shades and Blinds Broken cord loop? Easy DIY replacement for under $10!
A broken cord loop on our shades? How did the cord break? Well, let me tell you a little story…
The Problem:
As pet owners, we’re all too familiar with the joys and challenges that come with our furry companions. And let’s face it, when you have big dogs, you’re always on the lookout for potential chaos.
So one day, our neighbor’s cat, Eli, decided to take a leisurely stroll down the sidewalk in front of our house, and our two girls, Layla and Kaysha, went absolutely bonkers.
Suddenly, pandemonium broke loose as they attempted to jump through the honeycomb cellular shades to get to Eli. Thankfully, Eli made a hasty retreat, but the shades weren’t so lucky.
After the dust settled, the fabric of the shades had survived the ordeal. But unfortunately, the loop cord that lowers the top down couldn’t withstand the enthusiasm of 200 pounds worth of Great Pyrenees.
The Solution:
It was a bit of a challenge finding instructions on how to replace the continuous loop cord for these Select Blinds shades, so today, I’m going to guide you through this simple DIY project.
While “TriShades” cellular shades from Select Blinds are shown for demonstration, most types of shades and blinds using continuous cord loops will be similar.
Additionally, many types of window coverings use cord loops to operate, including; cellular, pleated, honeycomb, Roman blinds, wood blinds, roller shades and shears. Some of the brands that offer continuous cord lifts are: Hunter Douglas, Bali, Graber, Levolor, Kirsch, and Allen + Roth.
While I’ll be demonstrating with Select Blinds shades, the process is similar for most blinds and shades. Since Select Blinds doesn’t offer replacement cords or instructions, I measured the broken cord and ordered a replacement of the same length from Amazon for under $10. You can find the exact cord I used in the link below.
Now, let’s dive into the project!
This video shows exactly how to replace the cord, but here's a summary of the easy steps:
Remove the shades or blinds
Start by unscrewing the tensioner or tensioners if you have dual controls like mine did. This way, they won’t be in the way when you remove the blinds. If possible, raise the shade all the way up to make removal and handling easier.
Now, depending on the width of your blind or shade, you may have two or three mounting clips. For my 71-inch shades, there were three clips. These clips can be a bit stubborn. Press on the tab to release them. They might take some effort.
Next, with the clips released, gently rotate the blind upward to disengage it. Hold it near the center to keep it balanced.
Access the clutch assembly
Once the shade is removed, locate the two tabs that hold the clutch cover end cap onto the headrail. Use your fingernails or a small tool to lift these tabs and remove the cover.
Inside the cover, you’ll find a loose roller ring. Set it aside so it doesn’t roll away.
Then, instead of removing the entire clutch assembly, thread the new cord through the opening in the cover and loop it around the slotted ring. If it doesn’t turn easily, lift the headrail slightly to provide more slack.
Now, test the cord to ensure it’s working smoothly before sliding the roller ring onto its pin and snapping the cover back in place.
Attach cord tensioner
Now, the cord tensioner needs to be attached to the new cord loop. Gently pry open the tensioner with a wide blade or a butter knife.
Unsnap the upper portion of the tensioner enough to remove the semicircle piece, and insert the cord. The tensioner halves have tabs that secure the semicircle in place.
To allow the semicircle to engage with the tabs, pull back on the spring-loaded screw mounting hole.
Rehang your spiffy, fixed shades or blinds
Finally, rehang the shade or blind by snapping it back into the hanging brackets. Reattach the cord tensioners, and that’s it! Take a step back and admire your handiwork.
Great job!
Make sure to check out the video to see each of these steps in great detail.
Peace has been restored. At least for now...
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission on items bought using them. These are the same recommendations I would make regardless of any compensation. For products that I have older versions of, I recommend the items that I would replace them with if I were buying them new.
Resources for Broken Pull Cord Loop Fix
There are more DIY projects in the works, so stay tuned to Uncharted DIY. Feel free to comment, post photos of your repaired blinds (and how they were broken), or ask questions about this project.
