Asked on Oct 26, 2014

Tips for updating or repairing Pella between the glass blinds?

Evelyn
by Evelyn
Our 14 year old cord controlled blinds are all giving us trouble with raising and lowering and tilting. Many of the top mechanisms are coming unglued from the top. I know this room needs to be updated, but you can see the issue in these. Note that privacy is not a big issue in the country in the rolling hills of beautiful Southern Illinois, but for us, sun control is. (I do love that they don't have to be dusted) Fix or replace blinds? I think only Pella can do that at considerable expense as they have to come from far away. Are there replacement shades that can be put in and if so would the expense be worth it to change the look? We love our local medium stained poplar woodwork, so do not want traditional drapes. Would love to hear your ideas for this newbie to your site!
  41 answers
  • Pella has some pretty good warranties on their windows. Its not your concern if they have to travel. There are many installers that represent them so it really should not be an issue. I suggest you contact them before you try to do anything else. This is not an uncommon issue with between the glass blinds. Pella warrants the blinds for 10 years. So depending on the age of the window you may still be covered. Check the window date on the bottom corner of the glass. They also have replacement shads that can replace the blinds. Check the Pella web site for this information. Welcome also to Home Talk.
  • Evelyn Evelyn on Oct 27, 2014
    Thanks or our response. Ours are out of warranty. We live in Southern Illinois and the nearest customer service rep who would come is in TN. Seems like minimum charge was over $100 just to walk in the door. Do the replacement shards come from OEM? Do you feel that is a more modern look than the blinds?
  • Did you contact the manufacturer on this? I have never heard of a warranty service visit to cost anything. In any case the shades are from Pella Go to this site and search shade inserts for the style window that you have. You should see some different options that are available for your window type. Most are home owner type installs. http://www.pella.com/windows/product-lines/overview.aspx
  • Evelyn Evelyn on Oct 28, 2014
    Yes, I have contacted them. Our 20+ windows that are 14 years old are out of warranty. I have learned that the OEM company can restring the blinds, but I'm not sure that is the issue. I still feel it is in the mechanism, though there are no broken pieces and strings do not appear to be in wrong places. The OEM company has been very helpful and they are reviewing my photos and more today.
  • Blindsgalore Blindsgalore on Oct 28, 2014
    If it comes time for you to order new blinds, consider upgrading from mini blinds to a beautiful Solar or Roman Shade. Solar Shades have the unique ability to preserve your view to the outside while still providing light control. The amount of light coming in depends on which Solar Shade you choose. Roman Shades are another great option, as they add warmth in ways that other window treatments do not. Please, let us know if you need any help replacing these window treatments, our customer service is available 7 days a week and can help you with anything you may need.
  • Sandra Sandra on Oct 29, 2014
    Hi - I have your window! (s) and the 20 plus. Pella is expensive to do repair. I have one I can't get the blind down. It is the cord associated to the mechanism you use to lift and lower is off track. (generally from raising,lowering too quick) You may want to see if you have a window washer in your area familiar with Pella windows,and see if they know how to repair, or check Angie's List. Hope this helps. I'm waiting for another, along with my screen rollup/down repair before I call and make it worth the visit.
  • Anita Dueis Anita Dueis on Nov 04, 2015
    I ordered the cord and re-strung the 3 blinds on our bay window and they works like new. Now just have to get more to do the rest. I also replaced the little half circle track that they run thru. With years of use it was worn thru and sharp which caused fraying and caused the problem with lowering the blinds. Hope this helps! Pella didn't have replacement blinds for me since windows are 20 yrs old and I didn't want to cover my woodwork either!
    • See 4 previous
    • Jan Gray Jan Gray on Jun 03, 2020

      Did you find the string for the Pella blinds?

  • Anita Dueis Anita Dueis on Sep 07, 2016
    I called the local Pella office and got referred to a parts dept. I think this customer support # 1-877-473-5527 is the one I ended up reaching. You can get the cord from them and also the guides that fit in the window sash. The first time I called the person I talked with charged me for the cord. Since it worked I called back and ordered for all my windows and was told there would be no charge for the cord only the guides....so I would ? them if they charge you. The edge where the cord rubs on the guides gets worn and sharp, which then frays your cord... (mostly on the larger windows) ... it's hardly noticeable but surprisingly makes a big difference in how the blinds work! I would measure ALL your windows and get enough to do them all.. I only replaced the guides on the large windows. Hope this helps!
    • See 3 previous
    • Jan Gray Jan Gray on Jun 03, 2020

      What number did you call for the ladder cord for your Pella blinds?

  • L L on Mar 15, 2017

    I found o blinds online that will fix the cords for 35 dollars. My doors are 30 years old also. The is 10 years.

    the closest pella guy is 3 hours away and charges

    150 to come and 80 per hour plus parts.

    so I am sending 4 sets of blinds to oem and we will see.

    now I have to figure out how to get the entire blond assembly out. There is a metal piece that goes under the gasket and I haven't figured how to get that out yet.

    • See 4 previous
    • Oliva Oliva on Nov 09, 2018

      Hi, L,

      Do your blinds slide in at the top? If so, you'll be able to feel when they've slipped into the slot. Some tilt blinds have small hooks that slip into very small metal attachment circles just above the bottom of the window.

      Check your original owner's manual for instructions, after removing the outer pane of glass.

  • L L on Mar 17, 2017

    Thank you for this. I have been trying to figure out how to get that piece out.

    My blinds are also for patio doors Which were installed in 1996

    I am mailing 4 Monday and if it works out I will send the others.

    my quote from OEM shades was 35 to restring plus shipping. They are in pennsylvania and have been very quick response to email.


    • See 1 previous
    • Maddie Maddie on Dec 08, 2019

      Hi Bev,

      Does Joanne's fabric still carry the cord? Is it the ladder cording? Then I have to figure out how to do it myself .... Not sure i could figure out how to install new cording around mechanisms in top rail....

      You should post a utube tutorial.

  • S S on Apr 20, 2017

    Are your blinds between the glass panes? The string that tilts the blinds forward and back broke on one of our patio doors. What is the name/phone number for the OEM in PA?

    • See 2 previous
    • Cathleen Motta Cathleen Motta on Apr 20, 2018

      As it turns out they were horrible to deal with. Such a delay and rude customer service. The blind was returned to me yesterday 4/19/18 ( from January 2018 ) and it was restrung and it does work but they rudely did not put the toggle on the end of the string. Such a disappointing company.

  • Evelyn Evelyn on Apr 20, 2017

    Yes blinds are between the glass. Now exploring possibilities to put roman shades or something on the house side of the glass rather than between. No reasonable options for so many windows.

    I only have numbers for Illinois/Kentucky which I found online.

  • S S on Apr 21, 2017

    OEM Shades 724-763-3600 www.oemshades.com


  • Denise Oechslin Hill Denise Oechslin Hill on Jul 04, 2017

    Iam involved in the same situation. Did you get your blinds restrung by OEM shades and get the shades back in the door?

    • Cathleen Motta Cathleen Motta on Jan 18, 2018

      My regional sales manager knew how to successfully get the blinds off, untangle string as needed, assist the blinds to go up and down, open & close, lubricate with silicone spray lubricant, & where to send blinds for string restrung if needed ( OEM in Taylor, MI 313-789-7373) He was at my house last week . My large bay window with blinds between the glass is 19 yr old. I appreciate his knowledge!!! Our local service dept. did not have these skills and headquarters in Iowa did not either.

  • Evelyn Evelyn on Jul 04, 2017

    I have done nothing else. Not happy with the situation. Mine don't need to be restrung but they just get caught going up or down.

    • See 2 previous
    • Tom Tom on Jan 23, 2019

      trim a tiny bit of weatherstripping where you'll see marks from string. it's too thick where the string goes inside and squeezes the string causing too much friction.

  • Che25715228 Che25715228 on Jul 21, 2017

    JCPenney has excellent cordless blinds for the outside of the windows. I have them in every room of my house, except one. This is the room with Pella windows...10 to be exact. It just so happens they are of odd size and penney's does not have the blinds I like in my size. Penny's cordless cellular blinds come in many colors and fit so all woodwork can show, or be hidden. I like mine to show. Check and see if your windows are of normal size. Blinds are often on sale and free shipping!!!

  • L L on Sep 06, 2017

    I am very happy with the service price and quality of work with OEM shades

    highly recomend!!!!!

  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 06, 2017

    I've had those restrung in the past, take it down and find a blind store.

  • Patrice Botto Patrice Botto on Sep 30, 2017

    OEM replaced mine.( GO online) Super easy sent my blind they replaced in less than a week. But contact ASAP as they are closing business sometime in October.


  • Elaine Kuchera Elaine Kuchera on Oct 18, 2017

    I called OEM and they said they would not do mine, as they are the ones that are controlled with the slide that goes up and down instead of the pull cord. So now what? I am at a loss.

    • Car31383354 Car31383354 on Oct 19, 2017

      I got on this site, with the same problem. I am at my daughters taking care of the grandchildren and did something to one of her French doors. What is OFM and how do I contact them. Hers are less than 5 years old.

  • Cathleen Motta Cathleen Motta on Jan 18, 2018

    OEM shades --to repair string on blinds now in Taylor, MI 313-789-7373

  • Bea C Bea C on Jan 31, 2018

    I contacted OEM and I'm willing to ship the blinds for restringing to Michigan but I can't find instructions for removing the blinds from the window. Any help with this will be very appreciated.

    Bea C in Massapequa NY

    • Cathleen Motta Cathleen Motta on Feb 06, 2018

      My Pella regional sales manager in Delmar, NY did it for me cause he knew how. He has been with Pella for 30 years. With his know how it only took minutes to disengage the blinds. He brought to my house a cylinder and bubble wrap to package the blind also. He gave me service that the service person from Rensselaer did not do for me. He also provided the address and phone # for OEM shades in MI. --- Good Luck.

  • L L on Mar 17, 2018

    yes and I got all six fixed

    it was broken strings

  • Anita Dueis Anita Dueis on May 21, 2018

    Pella has the string. When I called back to get enough to do all my blinds the guy I talked to said the cord was free( I paid for the 1st order). I used a darning needle and ran it from the bottom up just following the exsisting cord.

  • Ginny Ginny on May 22, 2018

    Contact Pella. They should be able to help you.

  • Sharon Fisher Sharon Fisher on May 22, 2018

    Does anyone know what these original Pella Windows with the blinds between the glass panels are called? They should have a specific name.

    Thanks for your help.

    Sharon in KC


  • Maddie Maddie on Jun 21, 2018

    They are called Slimshade Snap-In Between the Glass Blinds, Bottom-Up.

    I had mine repaired by the new OEM Blinds company in Michigan. Less than satisfied for two reasons. Insanely expensive to repair. $182. Only informed of cost after they receive them from you. They will not give any info re ballpark to fix prior to getting the blinds.

    Secondly, the "repaired" blind does not raise and lower correctly. It seems to snag at certain places and hangs unevenly!

    • See 1 previous
    • Maddie Maddie on Nov 12, 2018

      Hi Olivia, yes, I've removed them and tried to adjust and reinstalled horizontally multiple times. It appears that when the blinds were restrung at the Michigan facility, a small plastic piece on the bottom that secures the string in place, was broken when reinserted. Since I cannot find a replacement, the blinds continue to snag. But honestly, I think the problem could be due to more than just that also.

      Thanks for your reply.


  • Che33948179 Che33948179 on Aug 15, 2018

    Can these Slimshade Snap-in between the Glass Blinds have a replacement to update to the Roman style blind?


    • Oliva Oliva on Nov 09, 2018

      Pella showrooms have offered options which I believe included a shade that lowered from top or raised from bottom, depending upon your window's operational style. Check their website, just to be sure.

  • 34241594 34241594 on Oct 17, 2018

    Like so many on this forum, I have 25+ year-old Pella BTG shades. The string is easy and relatively inexpensive for a DIY replacement. I've done several windows and saved a ton. However, for the windows on the sunny side of the house, there are tears/cracks developing in the pleats. Pella says "so sorry, they are too old" and local shade repair shops say they don't do Pella. Given the space between the glass is about 3/4 inches, there doesn't seem to be many options. If I could just find shade material 48" wide with 4 drilled string holes in the right places, I could make my own. Any ideas? This is a magnificent bay window that would cost $1000+ to replace. I just need a new 5/8 inch pleated shade....

    • Oliva Oliva on Nov 09, 2018

      Could you use a T-Square/level and make your new holes using your old blinds as a guide?

  • Steve Hendricks Steve Hendricks on Oct 23, 2018

    I need to order a pair of slimshade snap in between the glass blinds, any suggestions?



  • Oliva Oliva on Nov 09, 2018

    Contact Pella with the info. found on the bottom of the outer glass panel, or from your owner's manual.

  • Donald P Osmond Sr. Donald P Osmond Sr. on Nov 23, 2019

    Did anyone find a source for new or replace Pella in glass shades like this I have attached pictures of? House is 20 years old and Pella told me these are no longer available. I sent email to OEM in MI to see what they could do. I have a pair of doors with 20 x 66 openings (we have the glass) that we did not purchase the blinds for when we built the house.

  • Needthem Needthem on Feb 14, 2020

    where is you get someone to restring Pella blinds? we have called and looked all over!

  • Dan Dan on Dec 18, 2020

    I have same issue as many above. Pella wants $748 (and that was with an alleged 35% discount) to replace one shade plus shipping costs. Shades are less than 12 months out of warranty and Pella pretty much said too bad. I have restrung the shade myself and it is working so far, but still hangs up. I'm going to try lubricating the cord as others have suggested and see how that goes. I doubt I will ever buy another Pella product again, they are way too expensive and don't seem interested in standing behind their product when it comes to replacement parts and reasonable costs.

  • Tom Michelli Tom Michelli on Aug 12, 2022

    Does anyone have any more recent updates on repairing or replacing raising /lowering Pella slim shade blinds? Are there instructions anywhere to restring? What is best to be used to lube the mechanism.

    • See 1 previous
    • Nancy Nancy on Dec 16, 2022

      I had a Pella repairman here years ago who showed me how to lubricate the strings. He took WD-40 and sprayed it on a rag, then raised the blinds all the way and wiped the strings from top to bottom. He kept wiping them until they moved easily.

  • Pam Italiano Pam Italiano on Sep 01, 2022

    I bought micro mini blinds from blind chalet $85 a blind, carefully took off the mechanism that came with it then used the old Pella mechanism both top and bottom to restring the new blinds on and they look like brand new took me maybe 3 hours total for both sliding door windows. The hardest part was getting the adjustment right so they would flip over, mastered it on the first, second one went really fast.

  • Mogie Mogie on Oct 09, 2022

    Just add a window film if you don't mind a lose of privacy at night. The window film will cut down on the amount of light entering the windows.

  • Mogie Mogie on Oct 10, 2022

    We found that many businesses now charge a travel fee. Ours was almost $100 but it is what it is.


  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 05, 2023

    Hi Evelyn, I would call Pella and see what they say. It would be the easiest fix for you.

  • Tracy Tracy on Oct 29, 2023

    Our 3 month old Pella between glass blinds (wood door) are very difficult to move. The opener sticks. Is there something I can use to lubricate the mechanism?