In our article we will tell you how roller blinds are attached to the window and what they are. We have collected for you a large and beautiful photo selection of different roller blinds in the interior. As well as selection tips that will help you decide on a purchase.
And so, roller blinds are a woven panel made of various materials, which is wound on a shaft located at the top of the window frame. To easily wind the fabric onto the shaft and prevent wrinkles, a weight bar is installed at the bottom of the roll. The fabric is treated with antistatic impregnating compounds to reduce dust deposition. When rolled up, the curtains take up little space. In everyday life they are called differently: roller blinds, roller blinds, roller blinds, fabric roller blinds.
Design features of roller blinds
There are two options for roller blinds:
- open;
- closed.
The difference between them is that curtains with an open system are cheaper and easier to operate. The shaft with the wound fabric is attached to the window frame or wall. It can cover the entire window or only part of it. The panel moves along a fishing line stretched between the lower and upper guides.
A closed system is more complex and expensive, but has some advantages. In this system, the shaft with the material is in a closed box, and the edges of the material are in special plastic or aluminum guides. This method of fastening is used in cassette structures. That’s why roller blinds are called cassette blinds. This type closes the window more tightly; the panel does not deform when opening or closing. They close the room from prying eyes in an inclined position, unlike an open system.
Fabric roller blinds day-night
This is a new type of fabric roller blinds that combines the advantages of blinds and roller blinds. The main feature is the design. This uses two parallel rolls of fabric with alternating light and dark stripes. By moving the panels relative to each other, you can adjust the luminous flux, decreasing or increasing it. They come in closed and open types. They are mounted in the same way as ordinary roller blinds on a frame or sashes. They are more expensive, but they are much more convenient to regulate the darkening of the room. The largest selection of roller blinds in the Leroy Merlin online store. Here you can choose roller blinds of various colors and shades to suit different design styles for decorating rooms.
Is it possible to make mini rolls with your own hands?
To make roller blinds yourself, natural fabrics are most often used - cotton, linen and other materials of sufficient density. They are inferior in functionality to factory curtain models, but allow you to save on the purchase of fabric. Models made of bamboo and threads are also popular.
The main difficulty in making curtains is creating and installing a roller mechanism. To simplify this process, the roller is usually placed at the bottom of the curtain in a special pocket. At the top of the curtains there are fasteners through which the cords are passed. The fastener is pulled along the length of the fabric, brought out through rings sewn to the top of the curtain, and secured to a hook screwed into the wall. When the cord is pulled, the curtain will roll onto the roller.
What types of fabrics are there for roller blinds?
The choice of fabrics for roller blinds is simply huge. And here, before purchasing, you need to coordinate your desires with the properties of woven materials. Fabrics are:
- plain;
- with a printed design.
Depending on the density, fabrics can be divided into:
- transparent;
- standard;
- increased density;
- lightproof.
Transparent are the so-called tulle fabrics. Their task is to partially diffuse sunlight and hide what is happening in the room.
Fabrics of standard density transmit about 50% of light and are used in rooms facing the southwest. They come with multi-colored printed patterns or plain ones.
The increased density of fabrics allows no more than 30% of light to pass through. Their task is to protect from direct sunlight. High-density roller blinds are installed on the south side to protect people in the room from the sun while working or relaxing.
Lightproof ones are installed in rooms to completely darken the room. These could be cinema rooms, presentation rooms with projectors or bedrooms.
Advantages
- The main quality of curtains is their versatility. They are great for kitchen, living room and bedroom windows. They are often used in cafes and offices. There are also no problems with the choice of colors and design: chic and simple, plain and colorful, bright and strict. In the kitchen you can combine roller blinds with regular fabric ones.
- There are also no problems with choosing curtain sizes. You can order a product for a balcony, a window in the bathroom or in the kitchen.
- Roller blinds are resistant to fading. When the canvas is lowered, twilight is formed in the room, and when it rises, light enters the room. The market offers solutions with manual and automatic mechanisms.
- There is no need to wash the fabrics. When roller blinds become dirty, just wipe them with a damp cloth.
- Roller curtains are quickly installed even without drilling the frame.
What types of fabrics are there for panels?
Modern materials are used for the production of woven fabrics:
- polyester;
- polyester with cotton, viscose, satin.
Polyester as a base material is used in many types of woven fabrics due to its excellent physical and practical properties. Fabrics with polyester base:
- practical and durable;
- opaque;
- dust-repellent;
- easy to clean.
To add shine and translucency, a thin layer of acrylic is applied to the woven fabric. It gives the panel a silky shine and protects the design from fading.
Materials used
When making roller curtains, durable fabric is used that has the ability to retain its shape. To do this, it is treated with special impregnations. Most often, jacquard fabric is used for these purposes, but there are also less dense models.
For the kitchen and other rooms where textiles can quickly become dirty, polyester or PVC is most often used. These materials are more resistant to conditions of high humidity and temperature changes. Another advantage of such materials is ease of maintenance.
Rules for selecting curtains for an existing interior
- Pay attention to the predominant color in the interior and choose roller blinds to match it.
- If the room is small, then the color of the canvas or pattern should be lighter. In addition, take into account the color of the wall. The fabric should be darker or lighter than the walls so that the curtains do not disappear from the interior.
- Focus on the cardinal directions. On the south side, choose cool shades (gray, blue, green, purple), and on the north, on the contrary, warm shades (yellow, red, pink, beige).
- For plain walls, it is better to choose roller blinds in bright colors.
- When choosing fabric designs, choose images with no more than three colors. The main thing is that one of them matches the color of the walls or the predominant color in the interior.
Light transmittance
Within the framework of this criterion, curtains are divided into the following configurations:
- Transparent curtains in combination with curtains are used primarily for room decoration.
- Dimout (translucent) canvases do not let in much light. They are used on windows facing south and east. They are hung in offices, greenhouses and winter gardens.
- Blackout canvases are made from fabric folded in several layers. They repel up to 90% of light. They are used to decorate children's rooms, bedrooms, photo and film studios, balconies and attics.
Roller blind control
Opening and closing is carried out in three options:
- chain cord;
- spring;
- electric drive.
All three options have their pros and cons. Their use depends on the characteristics of the window opening, the height of the window above the floor, and accessibility.
Chain cord management
This is the easiest way to regulate and control the curtain panel. Cord with
plastic balls engage with the gear wheel. The control is carried out manually, and the curtains are fixed in the desired position. The design is durable and practical.
Spring mechanism
This system is more complicated and works from a spring, which the apartment owner stretches when closing the windows. The panel returns automatically. The disadvantage is that the spring wears out over time. After the control mechanism wears out, it is necessary to either replace the entire mechanism or the entire curtain.
Electric drive system
This type of control is used for roller blinds covering large window openings in hard-to-reach places. Although they can also be used in apartments with regular windows. Closing and opening of window openings is carried out by a remote control. They require constant care and maintenance.
Types of fabric blinds based on the presence of guides:
- MINI system. This system does not provide vertical guides. In order for the fabric to adhere to the glass when the sash is in ventilation mode, forming one whole with the sash, magnets are attached to the lower edges of the sash and the fabric.
- UNI system. This system assumes the presence of vertical guides. The side edge of the canvas slides between the guide and the window profile, fitting tightly to the glass.
- UNI-1 are flat guides; they can be installed only if the window glazing bead is deeper than 12 mm.
- UNI-2 – U-shaped guides, used for narrow and non-standard glazing beads, as well as when placing the structure outside the window opening.
Methods and rules for attaching cassette roller blinds
Before buying fabric roller blinds, you need to decide what they will be attached to. Fabric roller blinds are attached:
- on the ceiling;
- to the window frame;
- to window sashes;
- to the window beam.
Here the width of the window sill will play a major role. If a window sill is needed to place interior items, then fabric roller blinds must be attached to the frame or window sashes. In this case he will be free.
How to choose a mounting method
There are only three mounting options:
- on self-tapping screws;
- on brackets;
- on double-sided tape.
Both types of fabric roller blinds are attached with self-tapping screws to the window frame or sash. However, there is also the option of attaching it to a wall or window lintel using dowels. This depends on the design of the window opening.
For self-installation, you must have a drill, a level, and a Phillips screwdriver. If it was not possible to accurately select the width of the panel, then you need to have a hacksaw and scissors to cut the shaft and fabric panel.
Tip: when screwing self-tapping screws into the window frame with a drill, take into account the moment of inertia of the motor. When you turn off the drill, the motor continues to rotate for some time and you can easily cut the threads in the aluminum frame. Therefore, you need to turn off the drill in advance and tighten the screws with a screwdriver or use a screwdriver with a brake.
Installing roller blinds on a plastic window with drilling
Before installation, it is necessary to take measurements of the window opening and compare it with the width of the panel. If the dimensions match, the rest of the work proceeds in a certain order:
- Check the package contents and ensure that the manufacturer's assembly instructions are included in the package.
- Assemble the mechanism according to the instructions.
- Check whether the panel will touch the window handle.
- Mark the mounting points on the window frame with a pencil and check their horizontalness with a water level.
- Drill holes in the aluminum frame.
- Place the box with the shaft in place and check how the fabric unwinds and winds up, and whether it moves relative to the window.
- Please note that modern metal-plastic windows are installed strictly according to level. Therefore, when drilling holes, check the distances between the holes and the edge of the frame. They should be the same.
- Tighten the screws, install the plugs, install the side guides or fishing line in the lower fasteners.
- Remove the protective adhesive tape.
Installation on brackets without drilling
This installation option is only suitable for modern metal-plastic windows. The brackets are installed directly on the window sashes. For this case, neither a drill nor a water level is needed.
Assembly order:
- Assemble the roller blind.
- Install the brackets on the window sash.
- Place the side plugs on the brackets.
- Insert the shaft with the rolled curtain into the side fastenings.
- Check for correct installation: roll it up and down several times.
- Install the lower position clamps.
Installation with double-sided tape
This method is suitable for installing roller blinds on sashes. To do this, you need to mark the installation locations of the upper and lower fastening elements. You should take the edge of the frame or sash as a guide. Measure equal distances from the edge of the frame or sash and mark the installation locations for fasteners. Remove the tape from the adhesive layer and attach the roller blinds. Before installation, degrease the surface with a synthetic detergent: shampoo, soap, washing powder and dry the surface.
MINI
This is the name for roller curtains for kitchen windows on a compact shaft. Due to their compact size, they can be installed on window sashes without drilling. To avoid sagging of the fabric, the metal strip is fixed to two magnets using foam tape. These roller blinds for kitchen windows are cheap. At the same time, they perform a decorative and darkening function. Although light enters the room through the cracks on the sides of the transparent part of the windows.
Related article: Choosing the perfect chandelier for the kitchen: tips and examples
This is the most popular and frequently encountered option for window curtains. In them, the fabric is wound on a shaft attached to the profile with brackets or screws. The shaft is always open. A special U-shaped fishing line does not allow the canvas to move away from the window. The market offers a wide range of colors and designs of such curtains for plastic windows.
Important! The unsecured section of the roller blind should face down.
Photo examples in real apartments
White roller blinds Leroy Merlin
White roller blinds IKEA
