Roller blinds (fabric roller blinds) are a design that includes a solid fabric sheet and a shaft that wraps the fabric around itself, protecting the room from daylight. The industry produces two types of roller blinds:
- Open system.
- Closed system.
Roller blinds fit perfectly into any interior style, and they harmonize perfectly with modern plastic windows.
The first one is cheaper and easier. Its design consists of a fabric sheet and a winding shaft. The shaft diameter depends on the dimensions of the product and ranges from 19 to 45 mm. Closed models are a cassette that contains a shaft with a fabric cloth and guides attached to the sides of the sash or the window itself. The cassette design provides maximum protection from daylight, making it ideal for children's rooms or areas for viewing films or slides.
The mechanism of fabric roller shutters makes it possible to fix the position of the fabric at any height, thereby regulating the flow of daylight.
Determining the size of fabric roller shutters
You can install Mini roller curtains or regular fabric roller blinds on your windows. Mini roller blinds are mainly used as a decorative element for plastic windows. From a practical point of view, this option can shade a room from bright light or serve as an element that will protect a glazed room from prying eyes (balcony, terrace, etc.).
This option is great for plastic windows; it requires installation without drilling, so it is used most often.
When installing roller window curtains, the sizing process depends on the type of home. In typical apartment buildings, window and door openings are standardized by the current GOST and SNiP. Therefore, you just need to go to the store and choose the pattern and fabric density that suits your interior, depending on your personal preferences and the purpose of the room.
Separately, it is worth noting the existence of lovolight type curtains, which are huge in size and controlled by a motorization unit using a remote control.
Those living in a private house whose windows differ from current standards will have to visit either a workshop for the production of roller curtains, or a company specializing in the installation of windows and doors made of polyvinyl chloride and equipping its products with the appropriate accessories.
If the windows face south, it is better to choose cool shades that will compensate for the excess sunlight and make the room visually cooler.
The choice of width depends on how often you open a particular window, and where you will mount the curtain, on the outside or on the window sashes. The length of the curtain in this case should be at least 1 cm longer. The maximum length of the canvas compared to the size of the window depends on the height at which the shaft will be mounted and the distance between the lower edge of the window and the window sill. It is considered optimal to lower the fabric below the bottom edge of the glass by 2–4 cm.
If you rarely or do not open the window at all, and your curtain will be attached to the wall, then measure the window opening and add 8 - 12 cm.
When attaching the roll directly to the sash, the width of the curtain depends on the width of the window or door profile. With straight glazing beads, the dimensions of the fabric sheet will be equal to the dimensions of the double-glazed window, with beveled beads - the length and width of the glazing beads.
Rooms with northern windows, on the contrary, need warm, bright shades.
Determining the size of cassette systems depends on whether they will be mounted on an opening or a “rigid” window sash. For windows with straight glazing beads, the dimensions of the fabric are equal to the dimensions of the window glass, and for beveled windows, the width is determined by the outer edges of the side glazing beads, because the guides will be attached to the front surface of the bead.
Color and pattern can also correct some of the shortcomings of the space.
conclusions
Taking measurements to determine the size of roller blinds that are ideal for your plastic window is not at all difficult. The main thing is to first decide on the model and before going to the store, take and write down the dimensions of your window or door.
When taking measurements, use only a construction tape with metal tape. Do not use school rulers or tailor's measuring tape on an oilcloth base for measurements. They may not have the correct scale or may stretch during the measurement process. And it is necessary to measure windows very carefully, with an accuracy of 1 millimeter.
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As soon as roller blinds appeared on the market, they seriously competed with metal and plastic blinds. The popularity of the new product is explained by its ease of use, compactness and original design of the products.
They are suitable for decorating the interior of any room: living room, children's room, bedroom, kitchen. But the main advantage is its exceptional compatibility with plastic windows. They are mounted directly on the frame, harmonize perfectly with the smooth surface of the transom, and if necessary, they can be installed without violating the integrity of the metal profile.
Determining the opacity of curtains
The protection from sunlight that fabric roller blinds should provide depends on both personal preference and the purpose of the room, as well as the side on which the windows face relative to the sun. It is ensured by such a characteristic of the canvas as light resistance. Different values of this parameter can provide a level of room illumination from almost complete darkness to slight dimming. The opacity of regular fabric is 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100%. It should be noted that the quality and density of the fabric roll must be selected for each room separately.
When choosing roller blinds, look at the material, design, and adjustment mechanisms.
A fabric with complete opacity (100%) is called Black Out. Roller blinds with such fabric are usually used in rooms that require maximum darkness, rooms in which children sleep during the day, home theaters and others, as well as rooms whose interior furnishings and situation need to be hidden from prying eyes: country cottages, private houses, apartments on the ground floor.
When choosing the color of roller blinds, you should also pay attention to its combination with other elements of the room.
Fabric roller blinds with low opacity (up to 25%) are optimal for installation in dimly lit rooms.
It is worth taking into account not only the color, but also the pattern, so as not to overload the space with different ornaments.
Fabric sheets with rates of 50 and 75% are primarily intended to create a unique interior. Thanks to the variety of materials that have this indicator (linen, cotton, polyester, suede and others), they perfectly perform a protective function and allow you to choose the required model depending on the style in which the interior is decorated.
The fabrics used to make roller blinds have a special dust-repellent impregnation.
When choosing opacity indicators, you should also remember that fabric roller blinds not only create a comfortable environment and protect from immodest glances, but also prevent furniture and interior items from fading from sunlight.
They perform the function of protecting furniture and wallpaper from fading under the influence of sunlight. In winter, they additionally protect the room from cold air.
In addition, by reducing the level of illumination, you thereby reduce the degree of heating of the room, which allows you to save on air conditioning. Optimal protection is provided by a combination of traditional curtains and fabric roller shutters.
Easy to use. They are easy to remove to wash, adjust and reinstall.
Measurement Rules
To select and buy suitable roller blinds, you need to measure the window correctly. To do this, you need to find out the following parameters:
- Width.
For correct measurement, indicate the width from the joint of the bead to the frame on one side, and the joint of the bead to the frame on the other side - this will be the width of the fabric. In roller blinds with an open type mechanism, the overall width of the roller blind will be 38 mm larger than the width of the fabric due to the upper side mounting fasteners. The roller blind measured in this way completely covers the double-glazed window and the window bead, which ensures maximum overlap of the opening. - Height.
To correctly measure a fabric roller shutter, indicate the size from the joint of the bead to the frame at the bottom to the joint of the bead to the frame at the top. The size of the roller shutter mechanism is added to the height of the fabric and is about 70mm (36mm roller shutter +34mm bottom space).
It is worth paying attention to the depth of the roller blind mechanism, which is approximately 36 mm. It is necessary to take into account the distance from the edge of the roller shutter mechanism to the slope. The opening angle of the window depends on this distance.
To correctly measure the width of roller blinds with flat guides, it is necessary to measure the following parameters:
- The width of the opening at the junction of the glazing bead to the double-glazed window (width of the fabric).
- Width along the edge of the bead (width of the box).
- Bead depth. It must be at least 10 mm, since the fabric should not touch the glass unit.
- Bead width. It must be greater than 10 mm, since the minimum width of double-sided tape for guides is 9 mm.
- Height. To correctly measure the roller shutter fabric, indicate the size from the joint of the bead to the frame from below to the joint of the bead to the frame from above.
It is worth paying attention to the depth of the roller shutter box, which should be 36 mm and a height of 70 mm. It is necessary to take into account the distance from the edge of the roller shutter mechanism in the slope, since the opening angle of the window depends on this distance.
To measure closed roller blinds with U-shaped guides, you first need to find out the width. For correct measurements, indicate the width from the junction of the bead to the frame on one side, and to the junction of the bead and frame on the other side - this will be the width of the roller shutter along the edge of the guides. The overall width of the roller shutter will be 20 mm wider than the guides.
To correctly measure the height of a fabric roller shutter, indicate the size from the junction of the glazing bead and the frame at the bottom to the junction of the glazing bead and the frame at the top. The distance from the slope on top of the window frame to the junction of the glazing bead and the frame (for fixed windows) must be at least 35 mm.
Designers prefer to use roller blinds in modern home interiors. They are especially suitable for residential premises where active people with a modern outlook on life live. Their advantage is that you can choose any pattern, design and high-quality fabric for production.
To learn how to install a roller blind on a plastic window, see the following video.
How to measure roller blinds correctly so that the product looks good aesthetically and is also practical. To do this, you need to look at some of the features of the procedure for measuring indicators for each type of curtain separately. After all, they can be made in several versions.
Choosing a pattern for roller blinds
The offers from sellers and manufacturers of fabric roller shutters are so varied that sometimes the problem of choice can cause a lot of hesitation. On the other hand, the variety of textures and patterns allows manufacturers to please the most capricious and demanding client.
You should carefully select fabrics with ornaments. They should emphasize the purpose and dignity of the room.
The different purposes and decoration of rooms in the house require an individual approach to the choice of pattern and color of the canvas. For kitchens, due to their small area, a light-colored curtain is better suited, and its impregnation will protect the fabric from moisture and aggressive kitchen environments.
Roller shutter fabrics are treated with special impregnations that will protect them from the kitchen environment and moisture.
In the nursery or living room it is better to hang curtains with thicker fabric.
In a child's room, it is better to install roller blinds in light, bright colors: dark shades can negatively affect the child's psyche.
The bedroom will look better with fabric roller shutters in natural colors (brown, green) or pastel colors (pale pink, beige).
Flashy colors are inappropriate in a room designed for relaxation.
The choice of color is usually determined by the personal preferences of each family member. But when choosing a color, you should take into account the following factors.
- Room decoration style.
- Color and sizes of plastic windows.
- Illumination of the room.
- Room dimensions.
- Features of wall decoration (color and texture).
- Furniture color scheme.
- Small accessories used in the interior.
To highlight the windows, the colors of the curtains should dominate the color scheme in the room.
It is not always optimal to purchase roller curtains with a pattern. By buying such fabric roller blinds without a designer and a subtle sense of taste, you can “ruin” the previously created interior. The existing general rule: the darker the room, the lighter the curtains is the first recommendation when choosing.
In a room with a TV or computer, it is also better to use structures made of fairly dense material in dark shades.
Correctly selected color shades of fabric roller shutters will allow you to correct the shortcomings of the room itself and mistakes made during its design.
For the kitchen, the material is light and not very dense, so that there is enough light.
Mechanism and equipment
Open type or with box.
A simple roller blind with an open shaft will cost at least 900 rubles. The price of roller blinds with a shaft in a box or mini-cassette, as well as curtains of the Rollite system, popular in Russia, with side rails will be 20-30% higher.
Color and material of fittings.
The shaft mounts or box, the bottom bar, the chain - all this also affects the final price of the product. Standard plastic fittings in white or dark brown will not add an extra ruble to the price of the curtain, but metal fasteners in nickel or bronze or a wooden bottom strip can significantly increase its cost.
Standard dimensions of roller blind fabric:
width - from 25 to 250 cm, height - from 165 to 300 cm. Curtains with mini-cassettes and the Rollite system are more limited in size. Their width does not exceed 120 cm, and their height is 150 cm. You can also negotiate with some companies on non-standard models (up to 6 m wide).
In the photo: roller blinds from a design project implemented by architect Boris Uborevich-Borovsky and the bureau of Alexandra Fedorova.
Availability of electric drive.
The price of roller blinds with a lifting electric mechanism differs by an order of magnitude. Decorating one window with such curtains will cost 12,000-15,000 rubles. In addition to materials, the price also includes the cost of preparatory work to supply power to the curtains (it is better to do this at the initial stages of repair).
Cheap or expensive?
The abundance of manufacturers allows you to choose roller blinds not only depending on the required characteristics and design, but also from the point of view of reducing the cost of decorating the interior of rooms. The manufacturer produces products in three price ranges: “economy”, “standard” and “premium”.
Translucent fabrics scatter bright rays, making natural light in the room comfortable.
By purchasing “economy” fabric roller blinds, you get a great opportunity to save money. In appearance, these curtains may not differ from more expensive models. But we must remember that in their production raw materials of poorer quality and less advanced equipment were used. As a result, you may encounter the appearance of curls at the edges of the fabric, the appearance of a “belly”, failure of parts of the mechanism for raising, lowering and fixing the fabric. It is also possible for the fabric to fade relatively quickly and unevenly.
You should carefully select fabrics with ornaments. They should emphasize the purpose and dignity of the room.
The “standard” series of roller blinds will be the best choice for homeowners who pay attention to the cost and quality of roller curtains. Manufacturers who have passed certification of their products in Europe and our country supply goods that are worth their money. They are protected from fading, absorption of unpleasant odors, dirt and other “enemies” of any curtains.
An interesting effect can be achieved if the curtains are made of the same fabric as the textiles in the room, for example, a tablecloth or bedspread.
The “premium” series is an exclusive product and is characterized by natural fabrics and reliability of mechanisms, as well as additional functions. Such “abilities” include fabrics with special properties, non-flammable and washable, with remote control, and so on.
The advantages of roller blinds also include original appearance, compactness, simplicity and ease of use, and versatility.
We hope this article answered your question: “How to choose the right roller blinds?”
Accessories
Braid, figured edge, photo printing.
All these additional decorations are negotiated separately and increase the cost of the order. Using photo printing, you can apply any design you like to the entire curtain fabric, thereby turning it into a unique object in the interior.
Side guides or cables are required for roller blinds designed for sloping (dormer) windows: without them, the canvas will sag on the sides.
In the photo: a children's room from a project implemented by architect Yulia Borisova and the UKDESIGN bureau.
Peculiarities
When choosing left- or right-hand control systems, it is necessary to create such a control so that the chain does not get caught in the handles of the structure during operation. This control method is quite simple and ergonomic. The length of the chain component is adjusted depending on the preferences of the owner.
Although roller blinds are quite reliable, simple and cheap, they will not always be appropriate for tilt-and-turn window systems. After all, the maximum recommended height of the material is 150 cm. The fastening system will definitely support it. This is relatively little. With such glass parameters, a small gap may form due to the size of the fastening elements.
When taking measurements of roll systems, it is worth carefully studying the details. Especially when installed using self-tapping screws.
At the customer's request, the canvas is equipped with a top box, as well as directional details. Curtains with a decorative box are mounted with special elements. In this case, there is no need to use spring control elements for the slots and chain. The products are produced in ready-to-install kits. The box is attached to the surface using special clamps, which are located separately for all walls.
How to take measurements - video for reference:
Canvases are produced from materials that are resistant to stains. For rooms with high humidity levels, special types of fabrics are used. Caring for them involves using a brush and a vacuum cleaner.
Silicone aerosol is used to lubricate the mechanism. It is not recommended to use excessive force when working with spring or chain mechanisms. They will last for a long time.
Such products, as a rule, have a compact shape, their length does not fall below the window sill, while the panel fits tightly to the glass, occupying a minimum of free space, which allows the window sill to be used for functional purposes.
However, there are also large roller blinds designed for panoramic windows. They are fixed under the ceiling and unfolded to the entire height of the wall, to the floor.
The main emphasis in such curtains is on their functionality - it is in rolled products that the most modern fabrics are used - blackout, dimout and “day-night”.
Blackout textiles, thanks to the presence of two reflective pads, ensure complete darkness of the room, while dimout fabric, on the contrary, transmits sunlight, but filters ultraviolet rays that spread heat, which guarantees a pleasant coolness in the room even during the hot summer.
Day-night curtains combine the advantages of the two above fabrics; such panels consist of alternating strips of dimout and blackout materials, the position of which can be adjusted, thereby setting the desired level of lighting in the room.
Which blinds to choose, vertical or horizontal?
There are two options for blinds: horizontal and vertical. They differ in the way the slats are attached and moved.
In the first option, the rotating strips are located horizontally, parallel to the window sill. The width of the lamellas is from 16 mm to 25 mm. Such a curtain can be partially or completely raised to the top of the window frame.
Horizontal blinds are fixed to PVC windows in two ways:
- Hanging: mounted above the window, like ordinary curtains.
- Attic: fixing a plastic window on each sash allows you to open or close the window without interference.
With fastening above the opening With fastening on each sash
Models with vertical slats are popular among designers for two reasons:
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- there is no danger of individual lamellas sagging;
- There are different ways of moving the canvas: it can be moved to one side of the window opening or moved apart from the center of the window to two sides. Modern models are equipped with an electric drive.
The vertical type of blinds sometimes serves as a hanging screen for zoning an apartment or room. To maintain the correct shape, each lamella can be equipped with a lower weight.
