Blinds, Shower Doors, Mirrors, Grab Bars, Baby Gates — Home Installation Guide 2026
Cordless blinds for kid bedrooms (federal law). Hardware-mount baby gates for stairs (never pressure). ADA grab bars must hold 250 lbs — stud-mount required. Exhaust fans must duct outside, never to the attic. Frameless shower doors are heavy and unforgiving — worth hiring out.
This is the catch-all category — the small but constant home installations that pile up. Blinds in three rooms. A shower door from the box. Grab bars for the in-laws. Here is what we install most.
Blinds and Shades — Cordless Is the Default Now
Corded blinds are no longer sold for kid bedrooms — federal regulations changed in 2018 because of strangulation risk. Levolor cordless is what we install most.
Sizing tip: measure inside the window frame at three points (top, middle, bottom). Blinds size to the smallest measurement minus 1/4". Most amateurs measure at the top and find their blinds rub at the bottom.
Frameless Shower Doors — The Sleeper Hard Job
Frameless shower doors look amazing and are 5x harder to install than framed ones. Glass is heavy. Hinges have to be perfectly plumb. Drainage gap on the bottom matters.
Honest take: this is one of the few "DIY-able" jobs we strongly recommend hiring out. A 60-pound glass panel is unforgiving.
Grab Bars — Code, Anchoring, and Why You Need Studs
ADA grab bars must hold 250 lbs of pull force. Drywall anchors alone do not cut it. We always:
- Locate studs first; if a stud is not in the right place, install a backer board behind the wall
- Use stainless screws into solid wood (not just drywall)
- Test with our full body weight before signing off
Baby Gates — Hardware-Mount for Stairs, Always
The most common mistake: pressure-mount gate at the top of stairs. Pressure gates are for hallways and openings. Anywhere with a fall risk needs a hardware-mounted gate.
Mirrors — The Surprising Failure Point
Heavy bathroom mirrors fall because the J-hooks on the back were anchored to drywall instead of studs. We always use a mirror-rated hanger with a cleat or French cleat for anything 30+ pounds.
Bath Exhaust Fans — Code Compliance Matters
Bathrooms without exhaust fans grow mold within months. Code requires either an operable window or a 50 CFM fan. Fans must duct to outside (never to the attic) and the duct should be insulated to prevent condensation.
What We Charge
Our installation services: blinds and shades $100-$199 per window, mirrors $125+, frameless shower doors $300+, grab bars $100+, hardware-mount baby gates $85+, exhaust fans $150+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you install blinds I bought online?
Yes — any brand from any retailer. Levolor, Bali, Hunter Douglas, IKEA, custom orders.
How much for a frameless shower door?
$300+ for installation. The glass + frame typically $700-$1,000 from your supplier.
Are stud-mount grab bars necessary?
Yes for ADA compliance — 250 lb load rating requires solid stud anchoring or a backer board.
Can I do whole-home baby proofing?
Yes — whole-home package starts at $199 including gates, cabinet locks, outlet covers, anchors.
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