Repair Vertical

Learn how to complete basic repairs for a Hunter Douglas vertical product.

Select the repair instructions needed below.

Order Carriers

Install Swing Arm Tilt Support

Assemble Vertical Cord Tensioner

Install Vertical Cord Tensioner

Order Valance Clips

Order End Control Sets

Vertical Vane Reinforcement

Replace Tilt Chain (PermAlign & PermaTrack Tracks)

Shorten Tilt Chain

Fix Paramount Tilt

Order Chain for Vane Weights

Remove Vane

If you have a Duette Vertiglide, please click here for repair instructions.

If you are in need of a repair that is not listed, please work through your original dealer. If you do not know who your original dealer was, please contact us for further assistance. We can be reached at (800) 789-0331 Monday-Friday, 9AM-8PM ET. If it is more convenient for you, you can also send us an email or chat.

Order Carriers

Determine the headrail type used on your product from the images below. Note that Vertical Solutions verticals only use the PermaTrak headrail, and Cadence verticals only use the Paramount headrail.

Paramount

Identify the parts needed from the below images, then request them on . Fill out the shipping information under “Your Information” and the product information under “Product Information.”

Paramount Carrier Assembly 3 ½” - PCN 7700821

Permalign

Identify the parts needed from the below images, then request them on . Fill out the shipping information under “Your Information” and the product information under “Product Information.”

Permalign Regular Draw Carriers 3 ½” - PCN HS0503A

Permalign Center Draw Carriers 3 ½” - PCN HS0509A

PermaTrak

Identify the parts needed from the below images, then request them on . Fill out the shipping information under “Your Information” and the product information under “Product Information.”

PermaTrak Regular Draw Carrier 3 ½” - PCN HR0603

PermaTrak Center Draw Carrier 3 ½” - PCN HR0609

Install Swing Arm Tilt Support

1. One or more tilt rod supports are required on Paramount vertical track assemblies that are greater than 70”. Determine the required number of supports for your product.
   
   
   
2. Select a swivel arm and a base for each support. Align the hole in the swivel arm with the pin on the base.
   
   
   
3. Snap the swivel arm onto the base.
   
   
   
4. Align the tabs on the support(s) with the channel in the headrail. Do not insert the lock in the channel at this time.
   
   
   
5. Center the support between the idle end of the headrail and center stack.
   
   
   
   If there is a second support, center it between the control end of the headrail and the carrier stack.
   
6. To lock the support, press the end of the base up into the channel.
   
   

Assemble Vertical Cord Tensioner

Before beginning, note that the pulley axles are different on each side: one side has a straight (blunt) axle and the other side has a rounded end axle. The rounded axle fits into the non-ramped hole in the body, and the blunt axle fits into the ramped hole of the body.

The new vertical cord tensioner may look different than older models, but it will retrofit.

1. Wrap the cord around the pulley. The cord is then grasped close to the pulley to hold it in place.
2. Note the axle orientation and align it properly with the body to insert the pulley into the body. When inserting the pulley, it is necessary to insert the rounded axle first, then the blunt axle. When inserting, tip the pulley to direct the rounded axle into the non-ramped hole.
   
   
   
3. Grasp the body of the cord tensioner at its widest width near the top, and hold it while inserting the rounded axle of the pulley into the non-ramped hole of the body. Squeezing the body slightly will provide enough gap to insert the rounded axle into the non-ramped hole.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Once the rounded post of the pulley has been inserted, it is necessary to pull the plunger clear of the pulley to insert the pulley the rest of the way. It is not necessary to fully extend the plunger, it only needs to be moved approximately 1/4” out to be free of the pulley.
   
   
   
5. Insert the blunt axle into the ramped hole by squeezing slightly on the housing as the pulley is rotated into position, guiding the blunt axle down the ramp and into the hole. Once the pulley has been inserted, release the plunger and test the operation of the pulley. The pulley will not rotate unless the plunger is slightly extended.
   
   
   
   

Install Vertical Cord Tensioner

1. Slide the vertical cord tensioner to the bottom of the cord loop.
   
   
   
   To release the cord tensioner, pull the mounting base down, away from the tensioner body. Then, slide the cord tensioner down to the bottom of the cord loop.
   
2. Choose a mounting option.
   

1. After determining the mounting location for the cord tensioner, fully extend the cord tensioning device and lock it into the extended position by rotating the body 45 degrees.
   
   
   
2. Hold the cord tensioning device at the mounting location.
3. Check that the cord can move freely through the cord tensioner.
   If the cord does not move freely, it is too tight. Position the cord tensioner closer to the headrail to decrease tension until the cord does move freely.
   If the cord tensioner locks onto the cord, it is too loose. Position the cord tensioner further from the headrail to increase tension until the cord moves freely.
   It may be necessary to adjust the cord length in order to mount the tensioner in your desired location and still have the proper tension to allow the cord to move freely.
4. Once the cord tensioner is positioned in the desired location and move freely, mark the screw holes.
5. Release the mounting base by rotating the base 45 degrees.
   
   
   
6. Mark and drill the screw hole(s). Determine whether or not a wall anchor is required.
   

1. If no wall anchor is required, drill ⅛” pilot holes. If wall anchors are required, drill 7/32 ” pilot holes.
   
   

Order Valance Clips

1. Identify the needed valance clip from below. Pictures are not to scale. All measurements are taken from tip to tip.
   

1. If not discontinued, request the part and quantity needed on . Fill out the shipping information under “Your Information” and the product information, including the part and quantity needed, under “Product Information.”

Order End Control Sets

Due to internal components, the type of vertical track on a product cannot be altered after production and cannot be changed from a one-way track to a split draw or vice versa. If a new track is ordered, you may need to order one or two additional vanes as well.

1. Determine the headrail type used on your product from the images below. Note that Vertical Solutions verticals only use the PermaTrak headrail, and Cadence verticals only use the Paramount headrail.
   

1. Request the end control set for the correct headrail type on . Fill out the shipping information under “Your Information” and the product information under “Product Information.”

Vertical Vane Reinforcement

Vertical vanes may need to be reinforced over time. If the vanes seem to be tearing or fraying at the top where they connect to the top rail. There are two types of reinforcement for vertical vanes.

You can request vane reinforcements by using . Fill out the shipping information under “Your Information” and the product information under “Product Information.” Note which type of reinforcement you would like and how many under “Part Description and Quantity.”

Replace Tilt Chain (PermAlign & PermaTrack Tracks)

1. Remove the existing chain, if applicable.
   1. Disassemble and remove the decorative plastic tassel and chain bottom weight from one end of the existing chain.
   2. Disengage the chain bottom weight from inside the decorative plastic tassel.
   3. Pull on the other end of the chain to pull the chain through the chain sprocket and out of the track’s end assembly.
   4. Use a small Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws securing the decorative plastic end cap to the control side of the track.
2. Be sure the carriers are oriented so they are perpendicular to the track.
3. Thread the new chain over and around the chain sprocket until the lengths of the two ends of the chain protruding out of the bottom of the track are equal. Trim the chain ends as necessary.
4. Use a small Phillips head screwdriver to re-attach the decorative plastic end cap on the control side of the track with the two small screws removed in a previous step.
5. Thread the decorative plastic tassels onto the two chain ends.
6. Attach the chain weights to the bottoms of the two chain ends.
7. Seat the decorative plastic tassels over the chain weights.

Shorten Tilt Chain

1. Disengage the chain bottom weight from inside the decorative plastic tassel, but leave the chain threaded through the decorative plastic tassel.
2. Disengage the bottom of the chain from the chain bottom weight.
3. Cut away the desired amount of chain to achieve the desired chain drop.
4. Reattach the chain weight to the bottom of the chain.
5. Seat the decorative plastic tassel over the chain weight.
6. Repeat the above steps for the other end of the chain.

Fix Paramount Tilt

If a vertical with a Paramount headrail (convex-shaped end cap, not rectangular) is not tilting all the way in both directions, follow the below instructions.

1. Check to see if the edges of any two vanes hit each other while trying to tilt. This can happen if a shade is not traversed to a fully closed position before the tilt is attempted or if the vanes are accidentally bumped.
2. To adjust this, re-tilt the vanes to the open position, traverse the carriers to the fully closed position, then try to re-tilt carriers to the closed position.
3. If this does not fix the problem, check for broken carriers, scissor arms or tilt mechanisms that could also cause this malfunction.

Order Chain for Vane Weights

To determine how much chain is needed for vertical vane weights, follow the below instructions.

1. Multiply the number of vanes by five. Divide that number by 12, then round up to the next whole number. That is the amount of feet of chain you will require.
   1. For example, if you have a vertical with 20 vanes, you would need 17 feet of chain.
      1. 20 x 5 = 100
      2. 100/12 = 8.3
      3. Round up to 9.
2. If you need chains in the front and back, multiply the number by two before rounding up.
   1. For example, if you have a vertical with 20 vanes, you would need 17 feet of chain.
      1. 20 x 5 = 100
      2. 100/12 = 8.3
      3. 8.3 x 2 = 16.6
      4. Round up to 17.

Remove Vane

If it is necessary to remove a vane, first push up on the vane. Gently open the vane hook by inserting a credit card-sized piece of rigid plastic between the vane and the long prong of the vane hook. Then you can carefully remove the vane.