Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, Carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner block her tiny watchdog’s view outside by installing top-down, bottom-up cellular shades, offering privacy without sacrificing natural light.
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Traditional shades force you to choose between privacy and daylight. Top-down, bottom-up shades solve that problem by allowing you to lower the shade from the top, blocking outside views while still letting light in. Once ordered correctly, installation is quick and straightforward.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
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Materials:
Top-down, bottom-up shade kit [bit.ly/4dFTwms]
Mounting brackets (usually included)
Mounting fasteners (usually included, but check if appropriate for your mounting surface material)
Notepad
Tools:
Pencil or marking tool [homedepot.sjv.io/aNnoKM]
Tape measure [homedepot.sjv.io/K073xa]
Drill/driver [homedepot.sjv.io/anv2bZ]
Drill bits [homedepot.sjv.io/1rdy16] (size recommended by manufacturer)
Level [homedepot.sjv.io/DKdPzG]
Screwdriver [homedepot.sjv.io/L0XBeo]
About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
Follow This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
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Install Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades | Ask This Old House
youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse
In this video, Carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner block her tiny watchdog’s view outside by installing top-down, bottom-up cellular shades, offering privacy without sacrificing natural light.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
Traditional shades force you to choose between privacy and daylight. Top-down, bottom-up shades solve that problem by allowing you to lower the shade from the top, blocking outside views while still letting light in. Once ordered correctly, installation is quick and straightforward.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Want weekly tips, project guides, and behind-the-scenes content from the TOH crew?
Sign up for our free newsletter here: thisoldhouse.com/pages/newsletters
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app
Materials:
Top-down, bottom-up shade kit [bit.ly/4dFTwms]
Mounting brackets (usually included)
Mounting fasteners (usually included, but check if appropriate for your mounting surface material)
Notepad
Tools:
Pencil or marking tool [homedepot.sjv.io/aNnoKM]
Tape measure [homedepot.sjv.io/K073xa]
Drill/driver [homedepot.sjv.io/anv2bZ]
Drill bits [homedepot.sjv.io/1rdy16] (size recommended by manufacturer)
Level [homedepot.sjv.io/DKdPzG]
Screwdriver [homedepot.sjv.io/L0XBeo]
About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
Follow This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thisoldhouse
Install Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades | Ask This Old House
youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse
