Roller blinds for plastic windows: how to measure, attach, instructions and photos

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.

What types of roller blinds are there for plastic windows?

There are two varieties: open and closed, that is, cassette. The principle of the opening mechanism is the same for both types of products, but each of them has its own characteristics. Let's consider them separately.

Open roller blinds

This type of curtain consists of a plastic or metal shaft attached to the top crossbar of the frame, on which the fabric is wound.
Opening and closing is done using a simple mechanism - by pulling a chain (a rope with plastic balls attached at a certain interval), the shaft is set in motion, and the curtain fabric is either wound onto it and raised, or untwisted and lowered. To prevent the fabric from sagging on a window opened in ventilation mode, magnetic pads are attached to the bottom of the transom. With their help, a weighting agent (metal strip) mounted into the lower edge of the curtain is fixed.

Cassette roller blinds

The type of cassette, or closed roller blinds, are improved models of open-type products.
The shaft is located in a box, or cassette, and covers the canvas collected in a roll. Cassette blinds have an advantage over open ones in that dust does not collect on the fabric when the curtain is in the closed position. Thanks to this, they are easier to care for and can be washed less often. In addition, this type of curtain is equipped with side guides that hold the fabric and prevent it from deviating to the side when the window is opened for ventilation. Cassette roller blinds can be used on all types of plastic windows: tilting, rotating and tilt-and-turn.

Step-by-step instruction

Before assembling the roller blinds, they sew the curtains. After cutting the fabric, a “bag” is sewn from it, it is turned right side out and the area that is not stitched is sewn up.

In the part that will be the bottom of the curtain, mark a pocket for the weighting material, place the element there, and stitch it on the machine. However, this can be done in different ways: leave both sides open, close only one so that the weight can be easily removed if the curtain is washed. The most impractical option is stitching on all sides.
The rod shaft is attached in several ways. The simplest is fixation with a furniture stapler (thread). An alternative is to attach it to the fabric with Velcro, one part of which is sewn to the fabric in advance.
Rings intended for a cord or tape are attached at a certain distance from the sides and rod of the structure - 150-200 and 50-70 mm, respectively. To fix them, use two narrow strips of the same fabric. Another method involves making holes in the fabric; they are camouflaged with eyelet rings.
Hooks are screwed into the weighting material. Fasteners are attached to them, which are pulled along the fabric, leading through the rings, they are sewn in the upper part. The tape or cord is attached to the wall using a hook screwed into the wall. When the clamps are pulled, the curtain roll will rise up, and vice versa.
The rod holder is hung on the window - to the frame, opening. In the marked places of the wooden frame, holes are made for self-tapping screws or metal corners are fixed. If the window is plastic, use double-sided tape or plastic fasteners.
The canvas is pulled over the attached shaft, the ends of the Velcro are aligned, then the mechanism is hung in its rightful place and tested. If the product unfolds (rises) unevenly, a more massive “candidate” is sought for the role of weighting agent.

It is not difficult to build the simplest mechanism for roller blinds with your own hands, but the quality of such crafts does not always satisfy the owners. If making your own canvas doesn’t inspire you, then it’s easier to purchase a ready-made model or choose and order the one you like.

One of the ways to get the desired design can be found here:

Advantages

The biggest plus is compactness. They cover only the glass, leaving the window opening completely open, so they are ideal for small spaces: kitchen, small bedroom, children's room. They are especially often used to decorate the kitchen, when the work surface of the tables, stove or sink is located in close proximity to the window, since ordinary curtains quickly get dirty and there is a danger of the fabric catching fire.

The next advantage is that the curtains are hung on each sash and do not interfere with the opening of the frame. The window can be opened even with the curtain down. It is also not necessary to lower the fabric all the way to the windowsill - by unrolling the roll only partially, you can limit the access to sunlight. This is convenient, for example, when you need to get rid of glare on the monitor.

Photo gallery of using curtains with Velcro in the interior:

CurtainsCurtains and tulle with lambrequin for the bedroom

CurtainsTypes of curtains for two windows with a wall: for the living room, hall

Flaws

There are three disadvantages of roller blinds:

Unreliable design. Indeed, roller blinds require careful handling; sudden movements should not be made when opening and closing. If there are doubts that these conditions will be met, it is better to buy products from reliable manufacturers;
There is a gap between the edge of the open-type curtain fabric and the glass, into which sunlight penetrates. It must be remembered that they are used as an additional darkening option. The problem is solved by combining roller and regular curtains made of thick fabric. Also, you can buy cassette curtains rather than open curtains;
The laconicism of roller blinds can cause difficulty when creating an interior in a style that requires some pomp. The problem can be solved by using additional curtains made of tulle, organza or other material suitable for the design of the room. They will give the window opening a more presentable look.

Common installation errors

Despite the simplicity of the design, typical errors occur during installation. Let's describe them so you can avoid them.

When choosing, it is important to remember that the width of the fabric is a separate characteristic, and the total width of the curtain is the distance from the edge of one connection to the edge of the second.
Having chosen the installation position of the roll, lower the curtain and twist the window handles in all directions, open and close the windows. Very often, after installation, it turns out that the canvas interferes with the functionality of window handles or frames.
When choosing the installation position, it is necessary to take into account the full length of the canvas so that its top does not end up being raised unreasonably high, while the bottom does not cover the window and allows light to pass through unhindered.
When using adhesive tape, it is important to thoroughly wash and degrease the surfaces. Neglecting this rule significantly reduces the strength of the structure. She can fall at the most unexpected moment.

How to take measurements

You can measure the window yourself, but for open and cassette models they are performed differently. For closed roller blinds, measurements are made depending on the configuration of the glazing beads. If they are straight on a plastic window, only the glass should be measured: the width is equal to the distance between the side beads, and the height is between the upper and lower beads. If the glazing beads have a beveled edge, the distance is taken taking into account their width, that is, the width of the glass + 2 widths of the glazing bead. The height of the curtain is measured in the same way - the height of the glass + 2 widths of the glazing bead. Measurements should be taken with an accuracy of 1 mm.

Since open curtains do not require such precision, taking measurements for them is much easier. First, the width of the glass is measured and 30 mm is added to the result. Then the height of the glass is measured and added 120 mm. Additional millimeters can be increased depending on the size of the plastic window, but it is important that the additions are made equally on all sashes.

If something is not clear, watch this visual video:

How to attach roller blinds to plastic windows

There are three ways to attach open roller blinds to a plastic window. The easiest way is to glue them with double-sided tape. First, the upper part of the transom is wiped with a degreaser, after which the tape is heated with hot air from a regular hairdryer, the protective film is removed, and pressed tightly to the frame above the glass. To avoid mistakes and glue the curtain correctly, it is recommended to first draw a horizontal line along the bead. This fastening method is only suitable for curtains made of lightweight fabric. It is not recommended to use Moment type glue, which can damage the plastic surface.

The most reliable fastening with self-tapping screws. The brackets are pressed against the frame above the glazing beads and screwed into the mounting holes with self-tapping screws. Next, latches with gears are put on the shaft with the wound fabric and, when assembled, they are inserted into the brackets. You need to lightly press the tube-shaft until it clicks, which is a signal that the gears are in their proper place. By installing decorative plugs on the brackets, the mechanism is checked in action.

Suction cups for curtains, scope of application and installation

Another way to attach curtains is to use suction cups. Most often, they are used to secure curtains in the bathroom, shower, or combined toilet. It has its advantages:

simplicity;
cheapness;
saving time;
no need to drill into walls.

However, such products are not always pleasing: after a short period of use they lose strength and fall along with the curtains.

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the integrity and smoothness of the surface of the suction cup. If they are broken, then the period of use will be short.

But even absolutely high-quality products will not adhere tightly if the wall has defects: potholes, cracks, remnants of the previous coating. It will be difficult to strengthen them on the embossed surface of the facing tiles.

To securely fasten them, you must use:

degreasing agents;
petroleum jelly and petroleum jelly-based preparations;
lining made of self-adhesive PVC film;
silicone sealant.

How to install cassette types of roller blinds

It is not difficult to handle the installation of cassette types; the main thing is to control the accuracy of the measurements and prevent distortions.

The cassette is applied to the top of the frame as close to the glazing bead as possible and the horizontal level is checked;
Make notes with a pencil through the mounting holes;
The product is secured with self-tapping screws, making sure that they exactly coincide with the previously made marks;
Put on decorative covers and check the mechanism in action;
The protective coating is removed from the underside of the vertical guide, its upper end is inserted under the cover and glued along the glazing bead;
In the same way, glue the guide strip on the opposite side;
Using a chain, lower the curtain fabric to the bottom bead, and install a limiter on the chain;
Install a control chain lock that will hold it when the frame is tilted into ventilation mode.

You can install cassette curtains without drilling by using double-sided polyurethane foam tape, which securely holds products made of plastic and aluminum. But you need to know that this method of fastening has its drawbacks - over time, the plastic in places of contact with the tape may change color. If after a few years, for some reason, the curtains are removed, traces of their presence will forever remain at the place where the guides and brackets are attached.

Important! The chain should be located on the side of the canopies (slopes). In this location it will not interfere with opening the window.

Briefly about the main thing

Correctly selected curtains transform the interior, emphasize style and add coziness. The method of attaching the decor also plays a role in this transformation. The type of fastener is determined by the chosen cornice, which, in turn, depends on the interior style.

For each type of cornice, there are several types of fastening, which greatly simplifies the task of choosing. All types of fasteners have their own scope, advantages and disadvantages. When choosing fasteners, they take into account what fabric it is intended for, and also consider whether it fits into the style of the living room, bedroom or office.

How to care

The way to care for roller blinds depends on the situation and the fabric from which they are made. Typically, the product's operating instructions indicate products that can be used to clean the canvas. If a stain appears, remove it with an eraser. During routine cleaning, non-aggressive detergents are recommended that do not contain acidic or alkaline components that can change the color of the fabric.

It is easier to care for cassette types, since they are in the box most of the day, and no dust gets on them - just wipe the guide strips and the case itself with a damp cloth, and vacuum the canvas.

Recommendations for choosing fastenings

You need to choose a location for attaching roller blinds based on the dimensions of the room, curtains, and window openings. If the opening is small, it is better to mount the product on the ceiling or wall at the top of the window.
If the plastic double-glazed windows are new, you should not injure them with self-tapping screws. Once dismantled, the holes are difficult to hide from them. In this case, you should give preference to mini roller blinds. They can be secured without drilling - using double-sided tape.

The choice of fastening is primarily determined by the size and weight of the roller blind
In some cases, tape and spring brackets cannot be used. We are talking about installing large curtains that have a considerable weight. Such a mount simply won’t hold up. It is better to use self-tapping screws.