When I bought my house in 2020, there as a problem. The previous owner had removed all the window treatments, and all the windows were totally uncovered! Talk about a lack of privacy.
While I waited for new window treatments, I found an easy way to block my windows temporarily.
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at how to install the Ready Shade Pleated Paper Shade. This type of window treatment is great for renovation projects or if you’ve just bought a house and need some temporary treatments while you shop for the real ones.
How to Install Redi Shade
Installation takes just a couple minutes. You don’t need to do it perfectly–these are temporary shades, after all. Here’s a video I made to show the process:
The first step is to measure the width of your window and then buy a pleated shade that’s slightly larger than your window.
Cut to Size
Once you have the shade, you’ll need to cut it down to size. Measure the width of your window frame, and mark that width on the Redi Shade. Make sure to leave a little gap at the top so that the shade can fold down nicely once it’s installed.
Bunch the shade up, then take a pair of heavy-duty scissors or a utility knife, and cut through it so that it’s just a tiny bit shorter than the width of your window frame.
Stick it on the Window Top
When the shade is cut to size, you can then peel off the backing of the sticky side and apply it to the top of your window. Make sure you’re okay with the risk of a little paint damage at the top of the window. I didn’t have any, but you’re using adhesive, so there’s always that risk.
Once the shade is stuck to the window, you can pull it down and get some privacy and light blocking.
The final step is to attach the bottom of the shade to the base of your window. You can do this using the two black clips that come with the shade. You can then bunch the shade up and attach the clips at the height you want to let some light in during the day, or you can attach them to the bottom to keep the shade closed at night.
Conclusion
Installing the Ready Shade Pleated Paper Shade is a great option if you need a temporary solution while you wait for your real window treatments to arrive or during a renovation project.
It’s easy to install and requires no tools, cords or anything hanging down. With this type of window treatment, you can have your windows covered in no time. When you’re done, just recycle the shade.
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