Cordless Top Down Bottom Up (TDBU) - FAQ - NS

Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a Cordless Top Down Bottom Up (TDBU) shade?

TDBU is a control type that is constructed to allow the shade panel to lower from the top as well as raise from the bottom. The shade is operated by two sets of cordless spring units. One unit operates the lift cords to lower the top rail, and the other unit operates the bottom up function. TDBU are commonly ordered in bathrooms, kitchens and any location in the home where the home owner would like privacy but still wants natural light coming into the home.

What kind of deductions are made to cordless TDBU shades? (see product guide for more details)

Inside Mount no returns: Standard 3/8" overall deduction. 

Inside Mount with returns: Order as outside mount 1" narrower than required width

Outside Mount: The headrail and shade fabric will be made to the ordered with. The valance will be made 1/2" wider overall (1/4" wider on either side) to accommodate the returns. 

Reference:TDBU IB Returns .pdf

How do you operate TDBU shades?

TDBU shades require careful operation. To operate the shade, stand directly in front of the shade at the center. With one, or both hands evenly placed on the top or bottom rail, apply even pressure and operate slowly and smoothly. Operating the shade this way will allow the lift cords to wrap around the cord spools evenly, if the shade is operated too quickly or abruptly, it may result in a crooked or uneven lift. The majority of issues that arise are due to operation error. 

The top, or bottom rail is not level, what do I do?

If the top rail is not level, slowly raise the top rail as far as it will raise, then slowly, with both hands evenly spaced on the top rail, lower the top rail, and repeat to raise. This should realign the lift cords on the spool. If the bottom rail is not level, repeat steps above for the bottom rail. 

How do I adjust the tension on a TDBU shade?

Adjusting tension is not recommended. If the shade seems to be lagging, the customer may be operating the shade too quickly, they need to raise the shade slow and steady.

Internal Knowledge:

• YX: if the shade cannot be raised, then the customer can check the screws located at the bottom of the cordless unit to see if they are too tight, if they are, they can be loosed just a bit. The customer can also check to see if the cord is stuck between the cordless unit and headrail. (see photo at bottom of the page)
• SB: does not suggest adjusting tension. 
• SLN: does not suggest adjusting the screw on the cordless units. 

The shade folds are not stacking properly.

Lower the shade then slowly raise the shade, adjusting the folds as needed. The folds may need to be "trained". If this does not resolve the issue, please check the back of the shade to see if any cords are caught. 

My shade was made too long.

The shade may extend 1" - 2" past the ordered length if the bottom rail was lowered after the top rail was lowered. To check this, please raise the top rail, then raise the bottom rail, then lower the bottom rail and re check the length. 

If the length of the shade is still too long, ensure the top rail is fully raised and measure from the top of the headrail to the bottom of the shade and confirm the length. Please provide photos if available. If the shade was made longer than the ordered length a remake may need to be placed. 

The top or bottom rail is bowing.

Unfortunately, there is no troubleshooting to resolve this issue, the shade will need to be remade.

Internal Knowledge:

YX: waiting on Zoe

SB: Uses solid wood bar, each bar is checked for bowing before production, should not be an issue. 

SLN: Uses solid wood bar, but if a remake is placed due to bowing, they will remake the shade with a stronger bamboo bar. 

Waiting on Zoe to confirm more details

One of the shades top rail is not lined up with the shade next to it.

Please lift the valance(s) to confirm that the top rails are fully raised. Uneven top rails are typically caused by improper operation, i.e. not raising the top rail fully. When fully raised, the top rail should sit just below the cordless units. 

I don't like that I can see staples on my shade.

The factory does their best to hide the staples, but they are necessary to secure the shade material to the rail.

Internal Knowledge:

YX: Carbon steel in silver, white and black

SB: Galvanized steel in silver.

SLN: Galvanized steel in silver.

I need a lift assist pole, can you order one for me?

Unfortunately, lift assist poles are not available for natural shades, the list assist pole that we have in stock is designed for roller shades only and may cause damage to the shade material if used with natural shades.

YX in the works to offer a top rail grip that would be compatible with a lift pole, launch date TBD.

I am missing the hem grip for the TDBU top rail.

Unfortunately, we do not have a grip that fits the top rail at this time.

YX is currently in the process of molding a top grip which will work with the lift assist pole, launch date is TBD.

I need hold down brackets for my shade, are they available?

Due to the style of the bottom bar used, hold down brackets are only available at the time the order is placed and cannot be added after production. Some customers have used Velcro dots, or magnets in lieu of the hold down brackets. 

General Information, Internal Knowledge: 

Are all patterns available as TDBU?

The majority of patterns from all factories can be made as TDBU, however some heavier materials offered by SB cannot. The materials that cannot be made as TDBU are the more robust bamboo slat or matchstick patterns like Aspen, Alder and Sunshade. This information can also be found within the AirTable!

Cordless Unit Placement:

Stacked or side by side

• YX installs the cordless units side by side on the headrail, if the shade is between 15" - 18" wide, the units will be stacked. When side by side, the left cordless unit controls the bottom up, the right cordless unit controls the top down
• SB installs the cordless units side by side on all sizes of shades. The right cordless unit controls the bottom up and the left cordless unit controls the top down.
• SLN stacks the units to avoid the lift cords from crossing and rubbing against the units, this also allows them to make TDBU shades narrower in size. The upper cordless unit controls the top down, the lower cordless unit controls the bottom up. 
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YX/SB lift cord may be pinched between the headrail and cordless unit: