Roller blind parts: chains, brackets and replacement

Roller blind parts are fewer than you might expect: fabric wound on a tube, a bracket at each end, a control at one end and a base rail along the bottom. Fascias, side covers and cassettes are optional extras. Knowing the names helps you describe a fault, judge whether a repair is realistic, and see when a new blind is the simpler answer.

Roller blind parts and what they do

Every roller blind follows the same layout, whatever the fabric or control. This table covers the parts of a typical blind from our range.

Optional parts: fascia, side covers and cassette

Some blinds carry extra parts that change how the top looks.

• Side covers finish the ends of the blind.
• Fascia is a decorative cover that conceals the hardware along the top. It is ordered with the blind and comes with its own matching brackets and side covers. It is a face-fit system and is not a cassette, so it does not remove every light gap.
• Cassette is a full enclosure: a headbox, side channels and a bottom channel. A cassette is ordered together with a compatible under-roll blockout blind. It cannot be retrofitted to an existing blind, and it needs 50 mm of clear depth. Our cassette roller blinds page has the detail.

Chains, joiners and connectors

The chain of a chain blind is a closed loop of beads that runs around the clutch at the control end. Most loops are closed with a small connector, often called a roller blind chain joiner or chain connector. Pulling either side turns the tube, and the clutch holds it where you stop.

If you are searching for roller blind chain replacement, first work out what has failed. A chain that has jumped off the clutch, or a blind that will not hold its height, is covered in our guide to roller blind chain problems. If the loop has broken at the connector, keep these points in mind:

• The chain must match. Bead size, style and colour need to suit your clutch, so a random replacement may slip or jam.
• The safety device must go back on. After any chain repair, check that it is fitted as instructed and still stops the chain forming a loop over 220 mm.
• Stainless steel suits coastal homes. It resists rust and corrosion better than the standard metal chain.
• Do not improvise. A knot, a paperclip or tape can stop the blind working and can create a hazard.

Our cordless roller blinds and motorised roller blinds have no chain, which removes this part of the maintenance altogether.

Double, linked and motorised blinds

A few blinds carry extra parts, and it helps to know which you have.

• Double roller blinds hold two tubes on one set of dual brackets, with a daylight layer and a blockout layer that are operated independently. Each layer has its own control.
• Linked roller blinds put two or three blinds on shared brackets, which keeps the join gap to about 17 mm, against 30 mm or more between separate blinds. Each blind keeps its own control.
• Motorised blinds replace the chain and clutch with a motor. A battery motor drives one blind, so linked blinds need a motor each, and it needs a charger. Hardwired motors are installed by a licensed electrician.

Which parts can be fixed

Match the fault to the part, then decide what is realistic to do yourself.

Roller blind spare parts and fabric replacement

We do not sell spare parts such as chains, connectors, brackets, clutches or safety devices separately. If your blind came from us, contact us with your order details and a clear photo of the problem. Say which window the blind is from, where the control is and what happens when you use it. The roller blind warranty covers materials, mechanisms and components, and our warranty page explains how it works alongside SureFit measurement protection.

Roller blind fabric replacement is rarely worth attempting. The fabric is cut to the blind's exact width and fitted to the tube when the blind is made, and an off-centre or crooked re-cover leads to a blind that rolls sideways. A new blind in the same size is the simpler route, and it gives you the chance to change the fabric, colour or control.

If you are unsure of the right size, measure the window again with our roller blinds measuring guide rather than copying the old blind. Lakeside fabric can vary slightly in colour between batches, so a new blind may differ a little from an older one beside it.

When to replace the whole blind

Replace the blind, rather than hunt for parts, when:

• the fabric is torn, stained, faded or no longer rolls evenly
• several parts are worn at once
• the blind came from another supplier and its parts cannot be identified
• you want a different control, such as cordless or motorised, to remove the chain
• the window has changed, or you want a different fit, such as face fit rather than recess

Take the old blind down carefully first. Our guide to how to remove a roller blind shows the steps, and photographs of the brackets and control end will help when you order.

Questions

What are the main parts of a roller blind?

Fabric wound on a tube, a bracket at each end, a control at one end (a chain with clutch, a ZeroGravity spring or a motor) and a base rail. Fascia, side covers and cassettes are optional extras.

Can I buy a roller blind chain connector or joiner?

We do not sell chain connectors or other spare parts separately. If your blind came from us, contact us with your order details and a photo, because the connector and the safety device both need to match your blind.

Can I replace the fabric on a roller blind?

Fabric is cut and fitted to the tube when the blind is made, so the simpler route is a new made-to-measure blind in the same size.

What size tube does my roller blind have?

Our roller blinds use a 38 mm tube as standard. Blinds wider than 2100 mm use a 50 mm tube, and a 50 mm tube can also be chosen to match a larger neighbouring blind.

When should I replace the whole roller blind?

Replace it when the fabric is torn, marked or faded, when several parts are worn, or when you want a different control such as cordless or motorised.