Window Blinds - Levelor vs Bali

[Norminn]

Okay, I'm upset. Ordered 2 faux wood 2" slat blinds (old fashioned kind) for living room windows. Spent a whole day plus installing brackets exactly as instructions advise. Measured very carefully. Blinds are custom size and I was so excited to get them! Hubby helped me put them into the brackets and ..... oh shit....the brackets are too far apart. Haul them out to the dining room, go pout for a minute. Inspired: measure the blinds again: 1/2" too short. Get on live chat with the seller; no problem, we will send correct size. Newspaper on LR windows, wait a week. Got two more blinds, and they don't need to have the first ones returned. Unpack one set, take out of box...oh shit...big dent on back side of header and these are tapeless. Well, tapeless might actually look better and I WANT SOMETHING ON MY WINDOWS BESIDES NEWSPAPER! Put them into brackets, ready to try them out ....oh shit.....I can't lower them. Tug on cords and the plastic drywall anchors are not fast. Can't lower them. Take the blind down, put back in box, remove all brackets and store with first set of blinds. Dash off an email on sellers website. That was Saturday. No response yet. I'm ready to load them up and march on the store, which my husbands has gently but firmly declined to participate in.

After checking the innards to see if I could lower the blinds, I realized how cheaply the Levelor blinds are...don't think the mechanics are sturdy enough for any but a very narrow blind, and these are 59" wide. I'm wondering if anyone has tried Levelor AND Bali and can tell whether there is a difference in strength and quality? I checked Consumer Reports, but couldn't find any info there.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Never got past the high price. Blinds in the bedrooms came from Target.

[Moe DeLoughan]

After visiting a friend who'd installed genuine wood blinds by Bali in her living room, and being very impressed by their beauty, I ordered some for my bedroom. These are Bali's one-inch real, not faux, wood blinds, and they are absolutely top notch. The blinds come with a matching wood valance that slides over the top mount. A nice additional touch.

Expensive, but worth it. I've had them for six years now.

[HerHusband]

We bought 2" Premium Faux Wood blinds from JustBlinds.com about 10 years ago and have been very happy with them. They don't look like plastic, and don't warp like real wood can.

The only issue we've had in 10 years is the lift cords eventually wear through and break. When I've contacted JustBlinds about it they sent me new replacement cord at no cost (they did offer that I could send them back for warranty repair, but we didn't want to be without blinds). I've replaced the cords on several of our blinds. I take them down so I can thread the new cord through the blinds. Not difficult, just detailed and time consuming.

Ours mount inside the window frame, so careful measurements before ordering are critical.

Anthony Watson

[Paul Franklin]

Second this. We don't have wood blinds, but have both aluminum mini's and cellular shades from Bali and they are top notch. On both types we went with the cord-free system and I highly recommend it. No unsightly cords hanging down and getting tangled in stuff.

We've had some for years and they look and operate like new (although I admit we don't fuss with them much).

We mostly by from Steve's blinds and wallpaper and have been very happy with their service and fast delivery. But get the measurements right and if you have any doubt about the color, order a sample first because they are not returnable unless faulty.

[Norminn]

The saga continues........the second set of blinds were the wrong kind; I ordered blinds WITH TAPES and these are the right size but without tapes and are damaged. I must say, Levelor TRIES hard. Got on live chat, commisserated with the nice person who handled my first problem and now they are sending a THIRD SET. Gee whillikers!

Now, the important issue is how to anchor the blinds. Instructions are very specific in advising #12 plastic anchors (gypped by Lowes 'cause you have to buy package with anchors and screws. They even sell a "deluxe" set that includes a drill bit!). When I tried out one blind, the anchors were slipping out! I had a heck of a time drilling holes initially....above the trim at top of window....dull bit? Hitting nail heads? Frustrating! My plan now is to get a board same length as the blind, same thickness as trim and as wide as the brackets, anchor that to the studs and mount the brackets on that board....there will be no doubt that the brackets will be secure on the board and should not need very long screws. I fiddled with my stud finder and the studs are easy to locate. Pray for me :o)

[TimR]

Before you do that, make one final check of your drill.

Previously handled by a "friend?" Check Has a reversible feature? Check Somebody put it in reverse? Ouch.

[Norminn]

I don't loan my tools. Reversible feature works; started out the wrong way. New bit is on my shopping list :o)

[HerHusband]

There's usually a full width header above a window. You can verify this with your stud finder, or by simply tapping your knuckle across the wall and listening for the differences in sound.

If you have a solid header, you can eliminate the plastic anchors and run longer screws directly into the header.

If you don't have a header above the window for some reason, I would probably use toggle bolts instead of screws and plastic anchors. You'll be putting a lot of force on the mounting screws every time you open and close the blinds. I wouldn't trust those plastic anchors. I've never had good luck with them.

Anthony Watson

[Norminn]

Well, the first holes I drilled were with 1/4" bit, per instructions, to place plastic anchors. I discovered right away that the drill was in reverse mode. Carry on, drill and push really hard, and I can't get some holes deep enough. After discovering the first set of blinds were made too short, and waiting for the second set, I changed methods. Forget plastic anchors; have never liked them. Take on a drill bit of the proper size for the screw....OH!....and set the drill on "high" speed! What a difference one little button makes :o) Crank in a bunch of screws with a manual driver, which takes all my muscle, the brackets are fast and a set of blinds is up, intact. Hubby suggests using the drill to drive the screws...set it to slow again. take out the battery, for safety's sake while changing bits, a rustle up nerve to power the screws in for the second blind! Wow! Those power tools are nice! Second set of blinds is up. Room looks lighter and larger 'cause the blinds cover the '70-ish oak trim. I am happy again.

[Cleo]

replying to Norminn, Cleo wrote: LOVE your post, Norminn! Absolutely hilarious to read. Not so fun for you, though. Not what you wanted to be doing at 2:15 am, I?m guessing. Based on your review of Levelor and others? reviews of Bali below, I?m defintely going to go with Bali. Thanks for the review. Hope you and your husband are doing well and still married after this fiasco!