Blinds: Repairable or Replaceable? Here’s the Truth.
The phone rang four times in one day.
“Can you repair my blinds?”
We get that question a lot. But that day? It was nonstop.
And here’s the answer we gave each time:
Yes if we made them.
Which, frankly, says everything you need to know about this industry.
The One Thing You’re Not Thinking About When Buying Blinds
When you’re choosing new blinds, you’re focused on the fun bits:
- Fabric
- Colour
- Privacy
- Price
You’re not thinking, “What if something breaks in five years?”
And that’s fair. Who wants to picture a snapped chain or a frayed cord while you’re picking fabric samples?
But mechanisms wear. Chains loosen. Fabric fades.
And when that happens, your blind either gets fixed or thrown out.
If We Made It, We Can Probably Fix It
We manufacture Roller Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Pleated Blinds and Perfect Fit systems in our Leicester factory.
So when a customer calls with a problem, we don’t just say, “Sorry.”
We say, “Bring it in.”
Because:
- We know what parts went into it.
- We keep spares in stock.
- We built it to be serviceable not disposable.
Repair isn’t a bonus feature.
It’s part of how we build.
What We Had to Tell Those Callers That Day
The tricky part?
Almost none of the callers that day had our blinds.
In most cases:
- The blinds were imported
- The installer was a “measure and fit” company (not a manufacturer)
- The parts? Long discontinued
- The answer they got?
“You’ll need new ones.”
No repair.
No fabric refresh.
Just full replacement.
And that’s the unspoken reality:
Most modern blinds aren’t designed to be repaired.
They’re designed to be replaced.
Why Spare Parts Aren’t Just ‘Nice to Have’
Blinds aren’t one thing. They’re a system:
- Headrails
- Carriages
- Chains
- Control units
If even one piece fails and there’s no spare you’re done.
And if your installer doesn’t actually make the blinds? They probably never had access to those parts in the first place.
So before you order blinds, ask:
“Where are they made?”
“Can I get spares in five years?”
“What happens if something breaks?”
What Is a Recover And Why Doesn’t Anyone Talk About It?
There’s another option most people don’t even know exists: a recover.
Here’s how it works:
- We keep your existing mechanism or headrail
- We fit new fabric
It works brilliantly for:
- Roller blinds
- Vertical blinds
- Some pleated blinds
If the hardware’s still sound, but the fabric’s tired or doesn’t suit your décor anymore we can refresh it.
That means:
- Lower cost
- Less waste
- Less hassle
- A fresh new look
It’s one of the most sustainable choices you can make in window coverings.
But Recovers Only Work If the Blind Was Built Right
To recover a blind, we need:
- A headrail that still functions
- A system that’s compatible with today’s components
- Fabric that’s cut and fitted to exacting specs
If it’s a mass-produced import with no spares and no serviceability?
Recovering won’t work.
Which is why manufacturing matters.
Are Blinds Quietly Becoming Disposable?
It’s happening across industries:
- Products aren’t built to last
- Repairs cost more than replacements
- Support vanishes once the sale’s done
Blinds are no different.
Fabric fades? Replace the whole thing.
Cord frays? Replace the whole thing.
Mechanism cracks? Replace the whole thing.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Blinds can be:
- Repairable
- Recoverable
- Built to last
But only if that choice is made upfront at the manufacturing stage.
Why We Still Build in Leicester
We’ve been manufacturing blinds in Leicester since 1887.
Not because it’s cheaper.
Because it gives us:
- Full quality control
- Access to the right components
- The ability to service and support every blind we make
- The confidence to say:
Yes, we can fix that
We don’t point fingers at some mystery supplier.
We roll up our sleeves and sort it.
Before You Buy, Ask These 3 Questions
- Where are your blinds made?
- Can they be repaired if something breaks?
- Can I refresh the fabric without replacing the whole system?
If the answer is fuzzy, vague, or “that’s not something we offer”...
...you’re not just buying blinds.
You’re buying into replacement.
Final Thought
Blinds aren’t a seasonal purchase.
They’re part of your home part of your routine.
They should be:
- Built to last
- Easy to maintain
- Possible to repair
- Refreshable when your space evolves
Because replacing everything every few years isn’t progress.
It’s just expensive.
About Phil Coleman
Phil Coleman is the fifth generation of his family to run Barlow Blinds, a Leicester business that has been making blinds since 1887. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Phil has played a leading role in shaping industry standards including being part of the team that wrote the only NVQ qualification for blind and shutter installers. He also serves on the Management Committee of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), helping to set best practice across the trade. Under his leadership, Barlow Blinds has remained true to its founding principle: “It’s not our job to find customers for our blinds, it’s our job to find the right blinds for our customers.”
