When carrying out cosmetic repairs or changing the overall design of the room, the question arises about the appropriate design of the windows, but very often you can save significantly by replacing only the slats of vertical blinds. If the installed curtain rods are in working order, then there is no point in throwing them away. You can purchase and replace vertical stripes on blinds yourself; it is not much more difficult than simply hanging curtains on curtains.
What are slats for blinds
Blinds consist of slats - strips of fabric, plastic, wood or metal. The fabric of the light-protective device is formed from such plates. The lamellas can be stationary or rotate around their axis. The mobility of the plates allows you to adjust the level of illumination in the room.
Thanks to their functionality and a huge selection of lamella designs, blinds can be used to stylishly decorate a window opening of any shape.
Requirements for lamellas:
- resistance to deformation;
- ability to repel dust;
- resistance to fading and wear.
The strips are attached to the cornice using a special type of holders. The color, type of material, its texture determine how the canvas will look externally. Today we offer a wide selection of blinds with different slats. Using them, you can harmoniously complement the interior.
Choosing the right design
To select slats for blinds, you should be guided by the following criteria:
- Determine the temperature conditions of the room, conditions of use, type of room, expected frequency of cleaning.
- Determine where the device will be used, since the device can be attached not only to windows, but also to doors, and can also act as a partition. Depending on these factors, the type of lamellas is selected - horizontal or vertical.
- Vertical blinds are mainly used to fill wide, massive openings.
- The desired level of light transmission is controlled by the material or density of the fabric with which the slats are made.
- Blinds are designed to complement the overall interior of the room, so it is important to choose a high-quality color and additional elements that will harmoniously match the design of the room.
Application area
It was already mentioned above that lamellas are widely used in various areas of life. If we talk about blinds, then the slats have several areas of application:
- Interior decoration. Blinds help refresh the interior and make it more modern. If you apply a three-dimensional pattern to the canvas, the space of the room can be completely transformed.
Horizontal blinds have many mounting options. They are very convenient, practical and can significantly save space. - Sun protection. The design of vertical or horizontal plates makes it easy to adjust the light intensity in a living room or office. Fabric curtains are becoming less and less relevant today. Their place is taken by durable, reliable, easy-to-maintain blinds.
- Zoning of space. Any room can be zoned using hanging structures made of lamellas. A partition made of blinds allows you to create several separate areas in one room. Due to its airiness, a conditional wall will not “eat up” the space, which is very important for small rooms.
Vertical slats visually increase the height of the room and raise the ceiling. - Separation in cabinets, openings, niches. Blinds can be used as a partition not only for a room. With their help, it is easy to divide the space of niches, openings, pantries and built-in cabinets into several parts. This will allow you to better organize the area and place things more rationally.
- Design of public institutions. Designers often use slats to design SPA salons, medical centers, shopping centers and other public spaces.
Blinds with wide slats can be used for large windows or for interior partitions. - Bathroom arrangement. In the bathroom, slats can be used for different purposes: to separate a combined bathroom, disguise water meters, and as a screen to hide the space under the bathroom from prying eyes.
Roller blinds are the best solution for your home or cottage
The presented rolllight system is one of the varieties of roller blinds.
The peculiarity of this system is its fastening, it occurs close to the glass, which does not allow the curtain to sag. Cassette roller blinds have their advantages:
- the design is invisible and does not interfere with window cleaning;
- even if the blinds are closed, you can ventilate the room;
- The window sill is open for creativity. You can put pots of flowers or several antique vases here;
- ease of care. It is enough to wipe roller blinds several times a month;
- They do an excellent job of protecting from sunlight.
The presented roller blinds are attached as follows:
The roller blind fabric is located under a plastic or aluminum frame, and such a system can only be mounted on a plastic window sash.
Cassette roller blinds have a maximum width of one and a half meters. The height can reach 2 meters. During production, a special fabric is used that protects the room from the penetration of light rays and is not susceptible to fading. Roller blinds are quite durable and unpretentious. All elements of this system are made of aluminum.
Source: shtorinsk.ru
Varieties
There are several types of lamellas according to the way they are arranged:
- Horizontal. The slats are located in a horizontal position. When adjusting, the strips rotate up or down in the transverse direction of the window.
Laconic horizontal designs are ideal for small rooms; they look neat and do not overload the space. - Vertical. The blind slats are fixed vertically to the cornice runners. The number of slats for vertical blinds varies depending on the width of the window, so this device can consist of a small or large number of strips - up to 76 pieces.
When choosing rotating vertical models, you should pay special attention to their length. It is desirable that the distance between the slats and the floor be at least five centimeters.
The types of lamellas also depend on the material from which they are made:
- fabric;
- plastic;
- metal;
- wooden.
The most popular of these are fabric blinds. This demand can be explained simply: fabric curtains are more familiar to domestic consumers and are considered a classic option for window protection. Let's look at each type, its pros and cons.
Vertical blinds, due to their functional and aesthetic qualities, such models are perfect for any room interior.
Plastic slats
Plastic slats are the most budget-friendly. They are easy to care for and do not fade under the influence of detergents. Due to their light weight, they can be mounted on frames, individual window sashes, walls, and ceilings. They are often used to decorate partitions in hospitals, cafes, swimming pools, and offices. The material retains its original appearance for a long time: it does not deform, does not fade, does not absorb dust and does not absorb grease. Available in a wide range of shades.
The plastic does not fade, does not accumulate dust, and is easy to clean.
Pros:
- increased rigidity;
- durability;
- high wear resistance;
- easy care;
- budget cost;
- wide selection of shades;
- resistance to UV rays, humidity, temperature changes.
Minuses:
- if low-quality plastic was used in the manufacture of the lamella, then after a while it turns yellow;
- curtains made of plastic sheets should not be installed near a heat source. Warm air currents can cause them to become deformed.
Metal slats
Aluminum is most often used to make plates. Such lamellas are reliable, resistant to moisture, do not deform, and are fireproof. They are UV resistant and reflect the sun's rays well. This quality is especially important where the windows are exposed to constant sunlight. They are mainly used for shading the windows of the living room and kitchen.
Suitable for decorating a bathroom or kitchen. They are hygienic, do not absorb odors and are easy to care for.
They require minimal care: they are cleaned with a cloth and a special washing liquid. Some models of aluminum blinds can provide protection against burglary. Paint of various shades is applied on top of the aluminum. There are also perforated slats. Small holes on the surface of the strips allow diffused light into the room.
Pros:
- easy care;
- strength and reliability;
- good sun protection;
- do not fade or fade;
- are not subject to corrosion.
Minuses:
- may rattle when exposed to gusts of wind.
They have high performance qualities, are easy to clean and are intended for use in rooms with high humidity.
Fabric slats
Externally similar to conventional fabric curtains. They create an atmosphere of comfort in the house, which is why they are most often used to decorate living rooms. Depending on their ability to shade rooms, there are three types:
- translucent;
- darkening;
- opaque.
Fabric blinds are the most popular among buyers today due to the varying degrees of shading and the comfortable environment they create. Different types of fabrics are used for their manufacture: polyester, cotton, linen, silk. All of them are impregnated with a special composition that repels dust. Impregnation also protects paints from fading and the surface from moisture. Due to these qualities, fabric slats can be placed on the windows of loggias, balconies and verandas.
They look stylish and modern, they can be matched to any window opening and interior.
Fabrics of various shades are used to make curtains. Drawings and patterns are applied to the canvas. A wide range of models attracts designers who often use fabric blinds to decorate a room.
Pros:
- large selection of colors;
- creating a cozy atmosphere;
- the ability to apply prints;
- the presence of various textures: jacquard, fiberglass, blackout.
Minuses:
- despite the dust-repellent impregnation, they become dirty over time;
- may lose shape after cleaning;
- Expensive price for curtains made from high quality fabrics.
A huge range of fabrics of different densities, such as satin or jacquard, will create a unique effect of diffused light in the room.
Advice. When choosing slats, you should pay attention to the density of the fabric. The higher it is, the stronger the blinds will be. They are less susceptible to deformation and will last longer. But at the same time, the higher the density of the material, the greater the degree of darkening they provide. The most darkening option is blackout fabric, its density varies between 270-320g/m2.
Horizontal
They are used both in residential premises and in offices. Various materials are used for their manufacture: plastic, metal, including aluminum and steel, polymer materials, artificial and natural fabrics, wood and bamboo.
There are several options for fastening structures with horizontal slats:
- on the window sash;
- on the ceiling;
- in the window opening on the upper slope.
Horizontal blinds are made from a variety of materials, which allows you to choose their color and texture to suit any interior.
Composite models look especially beautiful. They are made from a combination of wood flour and polymers. The horizontal direction of the slats allows for uniform illumination of the room. Completely closed plates reliably hide the view of the room from the outside.
According to the method of placing the rolled fabric, horizontal lamellas come in several types:
- Open type. When raised, the canvas is openly located above the cornice.
- Closed type. When folded, the canvas is placed in a special box.
Based on installation features, models are distinguished:
- External. Installed on the outside of the window. Often called blinds or roller shutters.
- Internal. Used for shading and decorating the inside of windows.
They are practical, functional and create an ergonomic design.
Care
As already mentioned, the easiest to care for are plastic and metal options. They can be washed, wiped, vacuumed, and metal ones can even be cleaned with a brush. Things are a little more complicated with wooden ones: moisture is contraindicated for them, so you can remove dust with dry cloths or a vacuum cleaner. As for the fibers with which they are fastened, they are treated with a dust-repellent substance.
The most difficult thing is with fabric blinds. Despite the dust-repellent impregnation, they will need cleaning after just a year. It should be recalled that fabric slats can become deformed, so the cleaning process should be as delicate as possible.
Advantages and disadvantages
Vertical and horizontal slats have advantages and disadvantages. Knowing them, you can choose the most suitable blinds model for different rooms.
Advantages of lamellas:
- Easy care. It is necessary to wipe them once a week with a cloth or vacuum them using a special attachment.
- A simple system for attaching slats to the cornice.
- Not too expensive compared to other models.
- Possibility to adjust the degree of illumination.
- A selection of design options for interior decoration in diverse styles.
- Adjustment of room illumination, protection from prying eyes from the outside.
- The outer coating repels dust and moisture.
- Possibility of replacing lamellas individually if one of them is deformed.
Vertical blinds refresh and update the interior.
Disadvantages of slats:
- Vertical streaks of light passing through the plates can cause eye fatigue over time.
- Do not install near a heat source - rapid deformation of the strips occurs.
- Sometimes the weight of the structure does not allow attaching the curtain to the ceiling.
- Slat blinds can “eat up” the space of the room.
- In windy weather, panel curtains become loose and create noise.
Thanks to the huge selection of materials, you can choose the most suitable option for rooms of various styles and purposes.
How to choose the right one
When choosing slats for blinds, pay attention to the following nuances when purchasing:
- The direction of movement of the vertical slats depends on how the window sashes open.
- The larger the window, the wider the plates should be. And, conversely, for narrow windows, choose blinds with a small slat width.
- When choosing vertical stripes for the entire length of the wall, keep in mind that they should not reach the floor by 5 cm.
- The length of the blinds should be 1.5-2 cm shorter than the height of the opening. If you do not take this nuance into account, the canvas at the bottom will gather into an “accordion”.
- When attaching the curtain to a window sash, the width of the curtain should be 30 mm greater than the width of the glass.
- If you plan to install blinds on the wall, then their width should be 10-15 cm greater than the width of the window opening. The length of the canvas is chosen according to personal preference. The curtain can either cover the window sill completely or not reach it a little.
Practical, easy to operate and maintain. Vertical slats collect less dust.
Fabric selection
When purchasing such designs, you have the opportunity to choose both natural and synthetic fabrics, it all depends on your preferences, financial capabilities and interior features. Nowadays, fabric strips are made from a variety of materials, but the most commonly used are linen, cotton, rayon, fiberglass and polyester.
When choosing fabrics, you need to take into account their characteristics. For example, cotton and linen strips may shrink slightly after washing and will not hold their shape well. This must be taken into account when choosing their length and always buy 5-7 cm more.
For those who love tapestries, the best choice is jacquard, which can be either artificial or natural. This fabric is made by weaving, so it has a long service life.
If you want to buy high-quality and durable models, then opt for fiberglass products. This material is not afraid of moisture and high temperature, and has a long service life. The disadvantage is that such products have a high cost.
Installation rules
To assemble vertical blinds, you need to rotate the runners perpendicular to the plane of the window. The runners contain special seams or clips. A tongue from the canvas is inserted into them. Horizontal lamellas are assembled strictly according to the diagram. They should be located at an equal distance from each other. The plates are also secured using runners. They must be connected at the bottom with a chain.
The photo shows a diagram of the design of vertical blinds.
How to remove slats from blinds
Most often this question arises among owners of vertical blinds. The slats are removed from them in the following order
- Remove the plug on the cornice.
- Remove the bottom chain and weights.
- Detach the strips from the runners one by one, similar to removing curtains from hooks.
With horizontal slats, the procedure looks a little more complicated. But, if you learn to dismantle the horizontal sheet once, this procedure will not take much time later.
The work flow looks like this:
- Unfasten the cornices from the brackets that hold the structure with the canvas.
- Remove decorative covers.
- In the upper part, find the protrusions of the clamps.
- Raise the plates up.
- At the same time, direct the clamps first towards you, then to the right.
- Pull the plates towards you, then down.
The runners are designed in such a way that one side is attached to the cornice, and the other side holds the slats.
Carrying out such manipulations alone can be difficult. Therefore, it is better to find helpers, especially when it comes to removing large structures. Dismantling can be simplified if you initially install not one large system, but form it from several identical compact structures.