Creating a mounting surface on the inside top of Andersen Narrowline

Not sure if this belongs under windows or here but I'll start here.

Hoping for some advice ... or punch some holes if that is what is needed. Anyone familiar with Andersen Narrowline windows will know they are extremely unfriendly to inside mounting of roller shades, blinds etc due to the vinyl liner across the top where the balances are and down the sides. The balancers sit about 5/8" back from the front of the frame on the top ... which does not provide enough room to mount the light filtering shades we'd like. I'm thinking of creating a mounting surface inside the top with furring strips and then installing the shades to the strips. Any reason this can't work?
Thinking of using small L brackets mounted to molding L to the underneath of the vinyl liner and then mounting the strips the underneath portion and the roller shade mounts to the strips. Anything I'm missing?

 

Sounds like you are putting them too close to the glass. Move them closer to the interior wall surface and mount them there.

 

at the top? I'm looking at creating a mount surface on top of the existing vinyl liner across the top inside. The idea would be to mount the shades brackets to a surface I can screw into at the same point they would mount if I could screw into the liner. I do not see how that puts me too close to the glass if at the same depth.

 

I mount my Roman Shades on 1 x 2's, so yes, you can mount the roller shade to that also and mount it to the window with L brackets.

 

Ive never, ever mounted any type of shade, curtain, blind to the window itself, always to the surrounding structure.

I agree you need to get off the window to mount!

Post a picture if were missing something!

 

Well it's a common thing to mount shades and blinds inside mount. That's how most are done. I usually drill right thru the 1x2 into the top of the window frame. If that's not possible, then small L brackets can be used at the sides.

 

I think the terms are being mixed up.

Structure would be the rough opening that the window would be inserted into.

The window frame would be the window itself.

As mentioned, any attachments would be to the structure not the window!

If you are using a 1x2 to attach the window covering to that is fine but it would then be attached to the structure.

 

I'm not familiar with those windows, so I guess I'm not 100% clear on exactly what he's asking. Maybe a pic or two might help.

 

how are you attaching the 1x2? The Andersen Narrowlines contain an interior vinyl liner that you cannot / should not put a screw through without risking the function of the window. This is the reason I need to somehow attach a surface I can screw to. I like the idea of a 1x2 but it would still need to be attached to the inside top over the vinyl liner.

 

right. Want to make sure we care talking about the same thing. I want to inside mount the shades. The shade mounts would screw into the top of the window frame. When I say that I mean the top, above the window, perpendicular to the glass. Same place you would attach any inside mount blinds, shades etc if you were selecting top over side for your mount brackets.

 

There is the confusion, you want to install the 1x2 or the blind to the top of the window opening/structure not the window frame.

Just use a wood screw or even a drywall screw!

 

 

tried to post link to a photo in flickr but does not seem to be taking. Not crazy about the old style forums that do not let you just post a local photo.

 

I can see how that might work. But also that it might bring the shade itself too close to the window. The top window is indented so the shade may not clear the bottom window on the way down. It would also eliminate the ability to put the top window down in the spring as it would take the roller with it. Is there any reason I cannot overlay furring strips or the 1x2 against the inside top frame (the 'ceiling' of the casing) with L brackets screwed into moulding? That would allow me to mount the shades as a typical inside mount.

 

This is not an old style forum, lol!
Here's a link on how to attach a pic

 

I guess I see any forum requiring multiple steps to attach a photo as older style. In any case - I've attached a photo. I intend to mount a 1/4" thick / 3" deep piece of wood (oak in my case) to the window frame / casing at the point where you see the mount. I can do this with an L bracket or with serious heavy duty double sided tape. I would then attach the shade mount to the piece of wood.

 

You can put screws into the header as long as you don't put any screws within the first 7" on the left and right since that is where the balances are located.

 

CrackedHammer--Did you do this? Would you post a picture? I have the same windows, and would like to figure out a way to inside mount shades, also.