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Installing two blinds on one headrail can transform your home’s window dressing. Especially for wide windows, sliding glass doors, and other expansive spaces this can add a lot of flexibility in terms of functionality, style, and ease of use.
Such efficient setups are popular among Canadian homeowners, as they provide enhanced light control, improved privacy, and customizable aesthetics, all while maintaining a sleek and clean look.
Simply put, multiple blinds or shades on one headrail means mounting two or more than two separate window coverings on a single rail. This setup offers not only the functionality of individual blinds but also provides a unified appearance.
Roller Shades: These are made from a single piece of fabric that can easily be rolled down a tube to provide a seamless transition of covering windows.
Cellular Shades: Also known as honeycomb shades, cellular shades help maintain the temperature due to their shape, which traps air creating a layer of insulation, keeping the house unaffected from seasonal changes, such as warm in winter and cool in summer.
Zebra Blinds: They have dual-layer design that allows you to switch seamlessly between sheer and opaque settings for optimal light and privacy control.
There are a few scenarios when installing multiple blinds are a good option. These include:
Large windows, often exceeding 80 inches in width, are common in Canadian homes. While they let a lot of natural light in and provide stunning views, managing them with a single oversized blind can be difficult. Large blinds are more prone to mechanical issues, and look bulky. A great solution is to split the window into sections with 2 or 3 blinds on 1 headrail ensuring each segment is lighter and easier to manage. For example, a 120-inch window can be covered by two blinds with 60 inches each and provide a seamless coverage while allowing independent adjustment of light and privacy.
Sliding doors are common in patio and backyard areas, where a combination of visibility and privacy is critical.
A single blind covering the entire width of the door can interfere with the door operations and make it inconvenient to access the door. In such cases, it is recommended to install multiple blinds to manage each section individually. That way one part of the door can be kept open for access while light and privacy can be controlled at the other side.
For example, A homeowner with a 90-inch sliding door can install 3 blinds of 30 inches each. This setup lets you keep one section fully raised for door access while adjusting the other sections for privacy and to reduce glare.
Bay and corner windows add design appeal to rooms but are challenging due to their unconventional shapes and angles. Using multiple blinds on a single headrail allows for accommodating for the differently angled structures of these windows.
A curved bay window with three distinct sections can benefit from three separate blinds on one rail, each aligned to its respective pane. This setup maintains the window's aesthetic appeal while offering independent control over light and privacy for each section.
Large windows are beautiful and functional features in many homes, but as discussed in the previous section, in many cases installing multiple blinds can be a good option for large windows.
The weight of a large blind not only makes it harder to lift and lower the blinds or shades, but also places strain on the whole setup, increasing the likelihood of wear and tear. By installing two blinds on a shared headrail the weight of each blind is lower and operational challenges get mitigated.
According to a report by Window Coverings Canada, this approach can extend the lifespan of blinds by up to 30% due to reduced wear and tear on mechanisms.
Also, research at Window Treatment Insights, claims that blinds over 90 inches wide are 35% more likely to experience operational issues compared to smaller, divided blinds, thus making multiple blinds an obvious choice.
In addition to operational reasons, there are multiple other reasons why homeowners may opt to install multiple blinds or shades. Here are some common benefits.
Homeowners also face challenges balancing light and privacy with large windows when only a single blind is used. Flexibility is very limited, as raising or lowering the blinds or shades affects the entire window and people living in the same space. On the other hand, two blinds on one headrail provide flexible control over individual window sections.
Imagine a dining area where sunlight causes glare on one side of the table while the other side remains shaded. With two blinds, you can lower one to block the glare while keeping the other open to let some natural light in.
Large blinds often sag or slump down in the middle over time due to their weight, creating an uneven appearance and reducing their lifespan. Two smaller blinds alleviate this issue by distributing weight more evenly across the headrail.
With a double-blind setup headrails remain level and functional for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
For example, in a Toronto home with a 10-foot-wide bay window, the homeowner opted for two blinds on one headrail. This not only solved the sagging issue but also extended the lifespan of their window treatments by an estimated 25%.
Imagine a dining area where sunlight causes glare on one side of the table while the other side remains shaded. With two blinds, you can lower one to block the glare while keeping the other open to let some natural light in.
A single, massive blind can dominate a space and appear visually bulky, distracting from the room's decor. Two blinds on one headrail create a more refined and symmetrical look. They can subtly be present as background decor, bringing a room together instead of being the uneasy overwhelming object to look at.
Imagine a dining area where sunlight causes glare on one side of the table while the other side remains shaded. With two blinds, you can lower one to block the glare while keeping the other open to let some natural light in.
In Canadian climates, where winters can be shivering cold, and summers can bring intense sunlight, energy efficiency is an important point for one to decide. Multiple blinds allow better temperature control by adjusting sections based on exposure of sunlight.
You can use two blinds to block direct sunlight on one side, while letting in natural light on the other. This reduces heat buildup during summer and minimizes heating needs during winter mornings.
In shared spaces, such as living rooms or open-concept areas, different family members may have varying preferences for light and privacy. Two blinds provide the flexibility to cater to these preferences simultaneously.
A family may opt to install two blinds on a large window. Parents may prefer to block sunlight to reduce screen glare on one side, but to keep the other one open to watch the kids play outside.
For windows exceeding 100 inches or multi-functional spaces such as bay windows, a three-blind setup can be ideal where precise control and balanced aesthetics are essential. In particular for Multi-Functional Spaces, three blinds can be a great choice. Rooms like open-plan living areas or shared office spaces benefit from the ability to control light and privacy across distinct sections independently. 3 or more blinds on 1 headrail are also common in commercial settings. They are often installed in conference rooms or storefronts with large glass panels that need versatile light control.
Gather Your Tools: Use a metal tape measure, pencil, and notepad.
Measure Total Width: Using the tape, measure and divide into equal or customized sections. Remember to mark your sections with a pencil and note them down to get a precise width to be installed.
Account for Overlaps: Ensure there is adequate spacing to prevent light gaps seeping from in between.
Double-Check: Reconfirm all measurements to avoid errors.
Mark positions on the previous setup based on the headrail design.
Ensure brackets are level and securely mounted.
Align blinds to get an evenly polished look.
Fix the rail into the installed brackets.
Confirm stability before proceeding further.
Adjust mechanisms or cords as needed.
While multiple blinds on one headrail offer numerous benefits, they may not be suitable for:
Extremely narrow windows: Dividing a small window into sections may create unnecessary visual clutter.
Non-standard window shapes: Unconventional shapes like circular or triangular windows which may require unique solutions.
While multiple shades or blinds on one headrail have proven to be a smart, versatile solution for large or uniquely shaped windows, in some cases they are not as discussed before.
So before we wrap up, let’s take a brief look on what has been discussed so far:
