A Guide to Replacing the Cords on Duette Cellular Shades
Duette shades, a Hunter Douglas trademark, belong to the honeycomb shade family, which is also referred to as cellular blinds because of the horizontal cells that look like a honeycomb from the side. The trapped air within these cells gives the shades insulating properties. Restringing Duette shades is a repair task that can be done by following a series of steps.
By Parker Rivera9 steps
Hunter Douglas Company owns the trademark for Duette shades, which rank among the most widely used honeycomb shade brands. Honeycomb shades are often called cellular blinds because each horizontal cell, when viewed from the side, has a honeycomb-like appearance. Like other honeycomb shades, Duette shades offer energy efficiency by trapping air inside the cells to provide insulation. Their horizontal slats give them a soft look similar to traditional metal or wooden Venetian blinds. If your Duette shades need repair, learning how to restring them can be useful.
Step 1
Find the top and bottom cells of the Duette shades. Flat aluminum or plastic inserts, called filler strips, sit inside these cells. Unscrew the tab screw that secures the shade assembly to the window, and take the entire assembly down. Stack the Duette shades so that only the top and bottom cells remain inside the rails.
Step 2
Slide the rails off the Duette shade fabric in the direction opposite to the cord lock located on the side. Take out the cord and cord washers from the shades. At this stage, you will be left with a thick stack of fabric cells and only the cord guide at the top.
Step 3
Determine the length of new cord required by using the height of the Duette as a reference. Keep in mind that the new cord length must equal twice the shade's height plus its width.
Step 4
Using sharp scissors, cut the new cord for your Duette shades. Do this for each cord, ensuring that every rout hole has a cord. Replacement cords come in various types at specialized stores, so select one that matches your shades in both color and material.
Step 5
Thread a needle with the replacement string and insert it into the small hole at the top of the cord guide. Pull the needle carefully through the cord guide and the entire stack of shade cells. Repeat this for all other holes.
Step 6
Attach a washer to the end of each string. If the old plastic washers are still in good condition, you may reuse them.
Step 7
Put the rails back on the top and bottom Duette shade cells by sliding them toward the cord guide.
Step 8
To complete the restringing, pull the replacement string through the pulling mechanism on the side of the blinds. Draw the new string through the cord channel to the cord lock. After the cord lock, install the end cap to finish. Be aware that the cord pulling mechanism on the side varies with the Duette shade model, so follow any specific instructions for the shape and position of the cord lock and cord channel.
Step 9
Rehang the Duette shade assembly on the window and tighten the tab screw to secure the blinds.
