Roller blinds “day-night” for plastic windows: in the interior, choice of design, installation

You can easily shield a room from the bright rays of the sun or blinding night lights with one of the types of curtains. Of course, curtains and tulles will always remain a classic option for window decoration, but they are not suitable for every room and not every interior.

If you are looking for a more modern and practical solution, pay attention to day-night roller blinds. The variety of models in terms of functionality and appearance allows you to choose an option for both home and office, store, cafe, etc.

What are day-night roller blinds?

This type of curtain is often called “zebra” - unlike ordinary roller blinds, they have alternating translucent and opaque stripes. This effect is created thanks to two different types of fabrics on a canvas thrown over a roller.

It is thanks to these stripes that day-night curtains perfectly regulate the amount of sunlight in the room.

You can easily open the curtains completely during the day, dim the lighting if you leave the house, or hide the bright light of night lights before going to bed. Another feature is that it is not necessary to completely lift the canvas or move it to the side to look out into the street; To do this, just combine two transparent stripes.

Roman

Roman blinds day night

Roman day-night blinds are blinds with two layers of fabric that are folded on the window. The difference from ordinary Roman blinds lies precisely in this. And in general, any type of blinds with two layers of fabric is called day and night.

For a detailed description of the day-night Roman blind system, follow the link in more detail, plus as a bonus, a new product for 2021 has been published there, which you have not heard about yet...

Video of Roman blinds day night

Photos of Roman blinds day night

Pleated

How zebra curtains work

Roller blinds are not as complex a mechanism as it might seem at first glance, but they are very functional.

There are several types of mechanisms for them:

cassette, which is mounted on a profile, and the curtain opens thanks to an aluminum cassette moving along a guide;
spring, where the curtain closes and opens due to a slight impact on the mechanism, have a short service life;
chain, in which the curtain is wound around a tube with clamps and moved using a chain;
automatic with electric drive and controller, with which you can remotely open and close curtains.

The design of any roller blinds also includes the canvas itself and a plumb line that does not allow the fabric to develop in a draft and wrinkle during use.

Day-night curtains are most often made with a chain or automatic mechanism, which is very convenient for use in any room.

Many models can be fixed both in the opening and to the ceiling or wall near the window. A variety of options allows you to combine roller blinds with tulle on the curtain or other types of curtains.

Sun protection

Transparent. They protect well from “those who like to stare” at the windows and from the sun’s rays. At the same time, the view from the window will not be disrupted. Suitable for windows located on the east side.

Transparent roller blinds are used instead of regular tulle
Translucent. This is a lightweight fabric that has sun protection properties, the same as curtains made of thick material. Used to cover windows on the south and west sides. Protects plants in gardens.

Translucent curtains in the interior of a white living room

Types of day-night roller blinds

Depending on how you want to secure the roller blinds and for which window to use, you should choose one type of curtain or another. There are several types of them:

Open - they represent a shaft with a cloth wound around it and an attached opening mechanism;
Cassette - in this option, the shaft with the fabric is hidden under a semicircular or rectangular box. The whole design looks very neat and modern;
Mini - have the same box, but have the dimensions of the opening and are mounted in its space, and not above the window;
Rollo - here the curtain moves along the side guides. This type of construction is most often used for skylights, since they do not “hang” from an inclined surface;
Large rolls - used for decorating large windows, shop windows, etc.

Each of these options can be used at home, in the office, in a cafe or store. A wide selection of prints and colors will help create the right atmosphere in each room, for example, adding coziness to the bedroom or emphasizing the strict lines in the study.

Kinds

Without exception, blinds are divided into types. They are not just a fashionable decorative item, but a functional item.

Open

Such a device consists of a shaft with dense fabric attached to it, a mechanism and a strip. Products are created in different diameters, main element, type of fabric and shape. Moreover, each curtain has absolutely the same functionality.

When choosing an open type, do not forget that the larger the product, the wider the shaft diameter.

Closed

This type is characterized by the presence of a box that covers both the roll itself and the shaft. Such blinds can be either the width of the glass unit or the size of the window opening.

Cassette

The main difference from the closed one is that it does not have a box, which is designed to completely cover the shaft and blade.

Otherwise they are completely identical.

By type of control

Roller blinds come with different control mechanisms.

Using a plastic chain or cord

This is the easiest way to operate a roller blind. Height adjustment occurs through a regular chain attached to the product.

It can be installed on one of the sides of the mounts. When used strictly according to the instructions, it will last a long time.

Mechanical spring installation

This device helps lift the canvas from bottom to top. Thanks to the springs, fixation occurs automatically. Adjusting the canvas will not be a hassle for the owners.

Using an electric motor

It must be said that this is a short-lived control mechanism and is installed only on windows with hard-to-reach places. An electric motor moves the curtain.

Materials for double roller blinds

When it comes to construction materials and mechanisms, manufacturers give preference to high-quality plastic. It produces practical and inexpensive parts that can easily be replaced yourself if the roller blinds break down.

But the choice of fabrics in this case matters. The most commonly used are linen, silk, polyester, cotton, viscose, and tulle.

Of course, synthetic fabrics are most often used because they are easier to care for. Synthetics are also added to natural materials to improve their qualities. Before installation on the roller, any canvas is coated with Teflon impregnation, which gives it antistatic properties.

If you are a lover of environmental friendliness, order roller blinds made from natural fabrics. But it is worth considering that they can no longer be cleaned with a simple brush.

Materials and fabric

Types of fabric for roller blinds.

Cotton + polyester. By mixing two different components, natural cotton and synthetic polyester, the developer created a material that was universal in technical and operational properties.
Fabric "Skin". These are bi-fabrics consisting of plasticized fiberglass and polyvinyl chloride, the percentage ratio between which is 36 to 64.
Artificially burned. It is created using synthetic and natural fibers. It is scorched due to partial processing of the material at the production stage with soluble acids.
Blackout. It belongs to night fabrics because it is made from dense synthetic fibers.
Satin + polyester. In some cases, the outer layer of such roller blinds is treated with durable acrylic.

These are popular materials for the production of such products. Each is characterized by increased wear resistance and ease of maintenance.

Day-night curtains in the interior

In order for this version of curtains to fit well into the interior, it is important to choose the right not only their type and design, but also the color.

Here are some tips for color schemes for different rooms:

rich and bright colors (lime, orange, yellow, etc.) are best left for the kitchen or dining room. Such shades awaken the appetite, help you wake up faster in the morning, and improve your mood;
In the bedroom it is better to place curtains in more muted shades, pastel colors. This is especially true in cases where the curtain occupies the central space in the design of a wall with a window;
for living rooms, the choice of color can be any, the main thing is that it suits the specific style of the interior;
in the nursery, you can give free rein to your imagination and choose curtains with bright prints, for example, with your child’s favorite cartoon characters or cute little animals.

As for office premises, it is better to choose monochrome versions of roller blinds or, again, calmer shades.

Prints fit perfectly not only into children's bedrooms. If your room has a specific theme, it can be emphasized with one or another pattern on the day-night curtains.

Description and design features

The day-night roller blind is a long canvas consisting of alternating strips of transparent and dense structure of the same width. The mesh strip is designed to replace the classic daytime tulle, which allows light to pass through and hides everything that happens inside the room from prying eyes until night falls.

The thicker strip is similar in quality to night curtains, which completely block out light.

To understand how something like this would look tightly on a window, you can imagine striped material that was hung on a horizontal bar. If you pull one edge, the transparent and “blank” stripes will begin to move, periodically overlapping each other.

When the tulle stripes coincide, uniform gaps open. If the mesh is covered by a dense part, then the entire surface turns into an opaque canvas.

Some brands sell such products under the name “Magic Night” curtain.

Caring for roller blinds

Proper and timely care of day-night curtains will help extend their service life, preserve their appearance and rid the room of dust.

Tips for caring for roller blinds:

When washing windows, curtains should be raised all the way and not lowered until the window is completely dry;
To clean the canvas itself, you do not need to remove it from the window;
Dust can be easily removed using a soft brush or a special attachment on a vacuum cleaner;
Dirt and stains can be cleaned with an ordinary sponge dipped in soapy water. After cleaning, the contaminated area should be washed with a sponge with clean water and left to dry;
Do not rub the fabric, crumple it, wring it out, or use products with abrasive particles or hard sponges for cleaning.

The plastic base of the zebra curtains can be simply wiped with a damp cloth to remove dust.

Attention! Under no circumstances should you use cleaning products containing chlorine to care for roller blinds - this will damage the delicate fabric.

For self-tapping screws

A slightly more complex, but most reliable type of fastening. To implement it you will need:

measure at what distance from each other the brackets should be located, taking into account the inserted bobbin;
lean one of them against the window frame in the place where it should be;
attach it to the window using self-tapping screws;
do the same with the other spare part;
insert reel;
attach a weighting agent to the curtain.

To make the screws easier to screw in, you can first screw them in without fasteners. To do this, the bracket is leaned against the frame in the right place, the drilling locations are marked, the part is removed and holes are drilled where necessary. Afterwards the part itself is attached.

Tips for choosing zebra curtains

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a manufacturer and model when buying “day and night” curtains, just follow simple advice from experts.

When purchasing, it is important to consider:

size and type of window - for example, roller shutters with side guides are more suitable for folding sashes;
the color and material of the fabric should be combined with the interior style of the room;
In office and other crowded rooms, it is better to install cassette roller blinds, since the fabric under the frame will retain its attractive appearance longer.

For throw-on brackets without drilling

Another easy installation method. To mount the curtain you will need:

insert mini-type brackets into the throw-on brackets;
install brackets with a latch;
place the fasteners on the window sash, pressing until it clicks;
insert the curtain bobbin into the fastener;
install a weighting agent.

At this point the installation process is completed, the curtain can be used. Please note that the distance between the fasteners must exactly match the length of the reel.

How to install roller shutters with your own hands

Installing roller blinds on a window is not the most difficult task. If you know how to use a screwdriver and a tape measure, there will be no problems.

The installation process begins with markings. There are several nuances to consider:

If the curtain covers a window opening, then at both edges the structure should extend beyond the opening by 4-5 cm. From the bottom edge, the opening should be covered by approximately 10 cm with the canvas;
When installing a curtain inside an opening, its edges, on the contrary, should retreat a couple of centimeters from the edges of the opening on the sides and bottom.

Don’t forget to check whether the window sashes open normally with this arrangement of roller shutters!

Description of the installation process of zebra roller blinds:

First of all, we apply markings based on previously taken measurements. At this stage, it is better to double-check everything again, since remaking holes for fasteners can be problematic;
Holes are drilled according to the markings and dowels are inserted into them;
Brackets are screwed into the resulting holes;
12 cm is measured from the place where the roller shutter control chain is located, then an additional fastening is installed in this place;
The structure is installed on the side of the control mechanism. A click will indicate the correctness of the action;
At the last stage, the canvas is adjusted and the correct operation of the day-night system is checked.

This is the easiest way to install such curtains - even a beginner can handle it. If you have purchased roller blinds with a more complex fastening system or a large curtain and are not sure that you can install it correctly on the window, the right decision would be to seek the help of specialists.

How to assemble roller blinds, watch our video:

On double-sided tape without drilling

The easiest way to install. To install using double-sided tape without drilling, you will need to perform the following steps:

install the cap fasteners on the top bar of the curtain;
peel off the protective layer of double-sided tape;
press the bar tightly against the window sash or the top of the frame so that the tape sticks well;
Attach a weighting agent to the bottom of the curtain.

This completes the installation.

The design of some fasteners does not allow them to be glued exactly so that they hold well. This is due to the presence of protruding parts that can serve as a bracket. In such a case, the protruding parts must be carefully broken off. In this case, the procedure must be performed in such a way as not to harm the rest of the fastening.

Briefly about installation

Self-installation of roller blinds is a painstaking process. Before you read the instructions and understand how to measure the required distance for installation and how to assemble all the elements, it is worth conducting tests on opening window frames. Also an important characteristic will be the distance from the glass to the vertical wall of the opening.

If the width of the window beads is minimal, then a possible solution would be to install the blinds on the wall above the window block. This will visually expand the space and remove the association with “loopholes”. However, there will be one drawback - it will be possible to fully open the window sash only by lifting the entire roll.

Correct installation procedure:

measure all the distances for fasteners and guides, and also decide how to hang the blinds (wall, ceiling, opening, window);
select the desired model, check the equipment;
mark and secure the upper brackets (if the model has a fishing line, then you must first fix it in the holes and block it with plugs);
if the option with plastic guides is selected, then they should be mounted immediately after the base unit;
install the shaft with the roll, check the smooth running of the web;
when equipped with a guide line, the required length to the window sill is measured and clamps are installed to hold the line in tension;
If cassette blinds with a frame are installed, then the decorative part is attached to the grooves last.

There are models with fasteners that extend over the top edge of the frame and are mounted on the front part of the window. However, most often they are designed for narrow double-glazed windows, so before purchasing such a modification, you need to first measure the thickness of the windows or balcony doors.