At it's most basic, this style of blind is simply a squared sheet of fabric, attached to a roller tube,
and is restricted to being either raised or lowered, stopping at intermediate positions.
Even so, it's the most popular selling style of all time, offering what we all desire
- simplicity!
Roller blinds take up very little space inside windows,and can be rolled up to a very small unnoticeable
size. They can be made at very small widths, right up to large 3mtr wide
heavy-duty units.
There is pretty much a fabric available for every situation. Costs
for roller blinds are very cheap when compared to other types of blind covering
the same area.
Roller blinds are finished either straight at the bottom, or with some decorative finish
such as a Scallop (shape) or Turret (pole). Eyelets are also now available for a more contemporary
look.
The quality of the mechanism is the critical component that will determine how long
your blind lasts. That is why we always use heavy usage parts, which will not fail
you.
·
Roller blinds take very little space up inside a recess, and
do not have to be lowered all the way to the sill, leaving a lot of useable space
on the sill.
·
Roller blinds provide excellent privacy to sensitive rooms
such as bedrooms and lounge areas.
·
Fabrics can be chosen to achieve a specific objective, such
as:
o
Allowing light to penetrate whilst giving privacy
o
Dimming-out a bedroom from early morning light
o
Deflecting heat and glare from sunny rooms and conservatories
o
Providing a ‘net’ effect during the day (allowing you to see
out, but people can’t see in)
§
Note: this type of fabric will not provide privacy at night
time when the lights are on.)
·
Extremely cost effective when compared to other window coverings
·
Easy to replace fabric. Once the fabric becomes undesirable,
the fabric can be removed from the roller, and changed for another cloth. This
reduces the cost of the blind, but also eliminates the installation cost altogether.
·
Fabrics are available for both a classic look, and a modern
look.
·
Robust heavy usage mechanisms guarantee a long life for the
blind.
top
·
Scallop finishes provide a decorative look, which is always
on show, even when the blind is pulled up.
o
A scallop finish comes with a choice of braids, or can be
left unbraided.
·
Turret finishes are like a scallop finish, but come with a
café style pole
o
Poles are available in many wood and metal finishes.
o
A turret finish comes with a choice of braids, or can be left
unbraided.
·
Eyelets are a recent style in roller blinds. Blinds are usually
finished with a straight edge. Eyelets are then placed along the bottom section
of the blind to add a very modern tidy looking finish.
o
Eyelets are available in two sizes, and two colours of each
size (brass and chrome)
·
Reverse roll / Standard Roll
o
Standard roll – this is the traditional method of rolling
a roller blind, where the fabric falls from the back of the roller.
o
Reverse roll – this method of manufacture has become more
popular since the massive installation of Pvc window. The handles of the Pvc windows
usually project about 40mm from the frame. By using a reverse roll instead of the
standard, the fabric can clear the handle with obstruction, and the blind can still
be fixed to the window frame for a level fixing. It also means that the blind
can be installed closer to the window frame (as recommended).
top
·
A Sidewinder control allows millimetre precision in control,
and allows blinds which are positioned next each other to be lined up perfectly.
o
Sidewinder can be positioned to the left or right
o
Sidewinders can be fitted with either a chrome nickel-plated
ball chain, or a plastic ball chain (brown/white/grey). Nickel ball chain is standard.
·
A spring pull is the traditional method of operation for a
roller blind, however, it is not recommended since operation of the blind is considerably
more difficult that when operated with a sidechain.
o
Sprung rollers have an option of either a light wood or dark
wood pull toggle. Special pulls are available at an additional cost.
·
A sidewinder operated blind can have a wooden pull toggle
for decoration if required, however, the customer must not pull the blind from the
toggle, as it may damage the sidewinder mechanism.
top
·
All roller blind brackets can be fixed either: top. Side or face fix. Face fixing or top fixing is recommended.
·
Plastic moulded bracket
o
Standard – The standard bracket is good for most blinds. It projects just 50mm from the wall.
o
Extended – The extended bracket is the same as the standard, but projects approx 60mm, and is used mainly on blinds with a longer drop, since the fabric will make a bigger roll, the brackets needs to be able to accommodate a larger roll.
·
Standard Metal brackets. Have similar dimensions to the plastic moulded bracket. This bracket is stronger than the plastic, but doesn’t have such an attractive finish. It is mainly used in commercial situations.
·
Extended metal brackets. This bracket has the same look as the standard metal bracket, but projects the blind approx 60mm from the wall.
It is used to clear obstacles such as window handles, where a reverse roll would not be suitable.
top
o
The minimum size for a roller blind is 100mm for a sidewinder-operated
blind. It must be pointed out however, that a blind of 100mm wide cannot be
expected to operate normally, since it has no weight. Roller blinds will operate
normally from approx 400mm wide for a smooth finish flexible fabric. Stiffer and
thicker fabrics make the rolling of the blind a little more difficult to achieve
smoothly.
o
The maximum size for a roller blind is 2450mm wide on a standard
32mm roller tube. Blinds over this size usually have up-rated mechanisms,
and are therefore going to be more expensive, and will take up more space in the
recess. The maximum recommended size is 3000mm wide. Anything over this size
needs special application consideration.
o
The minimum size for a roller blind with a spring mechanism
is 350mm approx. and the maximum is the same as that for a sidewinder mechanism.
top
·
Bedroom
o
Blackout fabrics will help provide an 80% blackout effect if there
are no other curtains in the windows.
·
Lounge
o
Not recommended for sliding patio doors, unless the blinds are to
be mounted above the recess, or if the customer understands that the blinds will
have to be pulled up to get in and out of the doorway. Also, blinds with scallops
or turret may take as much as 200mm from the overall height of the recess
·
Study
·
Conservatory
o
Usually fitted to the Pvc frame of the conservatory, and manufactured
with a reverse roll (of the front of the roller) to clear the window handles.
On opening doors (excluded sliding doors), the blind is usually manufactured with
a standard roll (off the back of the roller) so that the fabric goes behind the
door handle.
·
Kitchen
o
Best fitted close to the window, leaving as much of the sill space
as useable as possible.
·
Bathroom
o
If a blind is going to get damp, then a fabric that is coated for
moisture resistance should be chosen. If the blind is going to get wet from
shower or bath splashing, then a soft Pvc fabric should be chosen, such as those
from the ‘easy wipe’ range.
·
Dining Room
·
Utility Room
top
|