Conventional curtains do not always fit into the interior design. In some styles (minimalism, hi-tech) blinds look more organic. Blinds are also appropriate in a familiar classic interior, where they go well with regular curtains. In addition, blinds are functional and practical, with their help you can easily change the amount of sunlight entering the room.
Operating principle and design of blinds
Classic blinds are made of lamellas - thin narrow strips that can be made of metal, plastic, wood, or fabric. The slats of vertical blinds are attached to the cornice using runners. In horizontal models, the stripes are connected to each other with a cord, and only the upper lamella is attached to the cornice.
The cornice can be plastic or aluminum. In the side part of the cornice there is a chain and cord for controlling the slats. At the bottom of the slats of vertical blinds there are weighting agents, thanks to which the strips do not change their position at the slightest draft.
Horizontal.
The most popular blinds. They are installed both in the sash and in the opening. The choice depends on the width of the slats and your color preferences. Sizes are simple. The wider the window, the wider the slats. Reliability. Simplicity of design. Horizontal blinds for plastic windows photo prices:
Types of blinds for apartments
Vertical
Thanks to vertically positioned slats, which are attached to the cornice using special holders, blinds of this type resemble conventional curtains.
They go perfectly with large windows and fit perfectly into arches and bay windows. Vertical blinds are attached to the ceiling or wall, or placed inside the window opening.
The control mechanism allows you to rotate the slats 180° around their axis. By changing the angle of rotation of the lamellas, the degree of illumination of the room is adjusted. Similar to curtains, blinds can be moved and pulled apart along the window opening; a special cord is used for this purpose.
Advantages:
- The ability to create a single ensemble with curtains;
- Visually increase the height of the window and room;
- To a lesser extent than horizontal models, they are deformed by wind and when heated;
- Possibility of replacing individual structural elements.
Flaws:
- The noise effect that occurs when the blinds sway in the wind and when they come into contact with the window sill.
Horizontal
Horizontal blinds, as a rule, are installed on small window openings, and the structure is mounted on the surface of the window frame. By pulling the cord, the blinds are lowered or raised. And by changing the angle of the slats, they regulate the flow of light entering the room.
Advantages:
- Low price;
- Expanded scope of application (installed not only on windows, but also on doors with double-glazed windows, openings, as well as inside pavilions made of double-glazed windows);
- Easy adjustment of light intensity;
- Mounting on a window frame makes it possible to use blinds together with curtains and drapes (they serve a practical function, while the curtains are a decorative element);
- The use of special brackets allows you to install blinds on the window frame without drilling holes.
Flaws:
- The need for regular maintenance, as more dust accumulates on horizontal surfaces;
- When attaching blinds to a window frame without using special brackets, there is a risk of damaging the glass unit. After dismantling the blinds, holes remain on the surface of the frame.
Rolled
In roller blinds, instead of slats, a polymer or fabric canvas is used, which, thanks to a special mechanism, is rolled into a roll at the top of the window.
Roller blinds can have the following types of design:
1. Mini - have the simplest device: an open box, without guides or weights. Opens from bottom to top.
2. UNI-1 – cassette blinds, in which the canvas moves along side guides and opens from bottom to top.
3. UNI-2 – improved cassette blinds with the ability to be installed at the bottom of the window (they open from top to bottom). Made from two types of fabric of different densities, which allows you to adjust the level of lighting in the room.
Advantages:
- Combined with curtains and curtains, this is the most “homey” version of blinds;
- Possibility of fixing the canvas at the desired level;
- Can be installed on any type of window (with frames made of plastic, wood);
- Possibility of photo printing on canvas.
Flaws:
- At home, removing stains is difficult, since you cannot scrub them off in the usual way, and strong chemicals can damage the fabric. It is advisable to entrust stain removal to dry cleaning professionals;
- They do not tolerate wet cleaning well.
Pleated
Pleated blinds are the most aesthetic way to decorate a window opening. They go well with plastic windows. Often, only pleated blinds are installed on the window.
If necessary, they can be supplemented with the usual curtains, with which they combine perfectly (subject to the correct selection of colors).
Advantages:
- Easy to attach (using double-sided tape);
- The designs can be for windows of any type: vertical, horizontal, arched, as well as any non-standard shape, including roof windows;
- Not prone to sagging even after a long period of use due to the tension of special cables;
- Ability to move and move individual folds;
- They look harmonious when installed with regular curtains, giving a homely feel to the room;
- Thanks to special processing of the material, the blinds do not attract dust;
- They do not fade in the sun and are not deformed at high temperatures.
Flaws:
- Curtains can only be cleaned with delicate hand washing;
- Compared to other types of blinds, they have a relatively high price.
conclusions
So, we have examined the properties of aluminum and plastic blinds in comparison, and now we will summarize their advantages and disadvantages and draw conclusions.
We also recommend: Curtains for the kitchen in the Provence style - simple, cozy, harmonious
Advantages and disadvantages
Aluminum blinds
Advantages:
- more durable, last longer,
- reflect sunlight
- protects well from bright sunlight,
- resistant to temperature changes,
- stable coloring,
- easy care.
Flaws:
- thin strips are unstable to mechanical stress (they bend, deform),
- when moving, the metal strips make noise and a popping sound when they close,
- small variety of shapes and colors,
- special care is required when caring
- at a higher price.
Plastic blinds
Advantages:
- more resistant to mechanical stress,
- withstands the temperature of sunlight,
- many shapes, textures, colors,
- beautiful,
- simple and easy care,
- more favorable in price.
Flaws:
- cheap low-quality plastic is more fragile and fades quickly,
- insufficient protection from the bright sun,
- instability to temperature changes.
Blinds with curtains
Options for choosing blinds for an apartment
Material of lamellas or canvas
1. Aluminum.
Such models are quite practical, affordable in price, and also do not fade in the sun. Maintenance will not be particularly difficult - just regularly wipe the surface of the lamellas with a damp cloth or a special brush, however, the lamellas are easily deformed if handled carelessly.
2. Plastic.
Plastic blinds are most often used in office premises. But due to their practicality, they are popular when installed on kitchen windows, as well as on windows of loggias and balconies. Plastic products can imitate wooden blinds.
3. Tree.
Wooden blinds look the most noble. They will look great on windows whose frames are made of wood. The thickness of the lamellas is from 2 to 4 mm, they are made from various types of wood: cedar, linden, beech, larch, abashi and other types of wood.
4. Fabric.
Fabric blinds are made from synthetic or natural fabrics, impregnated with a special composition, which gives the product dust-repellent and water-repellent properties, as well as helping to maintain a given shape (for example, pleating).
If necessary, the vertical fabric slats can be shortened yourself. To do this, you need to remove the weighting material from the groove at the bottom of the strip, trim and hem the fabric.
4. Multi-textured.
This is a type of vertical blinds, for the manufacture of which several types of fabric are used (from two to seven), differing in tone, density and texture. The composition may include decorative elements made of plastic or wood. Most often, blinds of this type look like a composition of curtains with lambrequins.
Blind size
To install blinds inside a window opening, the height of the product should be a couple of centimeters less than the height of the window. Otherwise, the blinds will come into contact with the window sill. When placing the product above a window, its cornice should be 20-30 cm wider than the window opening.
Vertical blinds that are planned to be placed from ceiling to floor should not touch the floor. There should be a gap of about 5 cm between the floor and the slats.
Weights
When choosing vertical blinds, it is better to give preference to models with plastic weights. They are more practical and will not leave rust marks after wet cleaning, unlike metal elements.
Connecting chain
It holds the slats of vertical blinds in a single sheet. The quality of the chain is related to the color of the plastic. Preference should be given to products with a whiter chain without yellowing.
Cornice material
It is advisable to choose blinds with aluminum cornice. It is more reliable, stronger and has a longer service life than a plastic curtain rod, which can become deformed over time, causing the control mechanism to lock.
Control mechanism
Before purchasing, it is tedious to check the blinds control mechanism - all structural elements should move smoothly, without difficulty, and not make squeaks or other extraneous sounds.
Finally, a little about care.
Whatever type of blinds they are. And from what material? Dirt and dust will always accumulate on them. Therefore, they need to be cleaned regularly. There are special napkins and brushes for this. The slats of some blinds can be removed and placed in water. And then dry and hang in place.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this article was written to help answer the question of which blinds to choose. We hope that, guided by it, you will make a profitable purchase. And she won't disappoint you.
Which blinds for an apartment to choose
1. For the bathroom, kitchen, balcony or loggia, you can purchase inexpensive blinds made of plastic or aluminum;
2. Wooden blinds, matched to the furniture or combined with wooden window frames, will be appropriate in any room;
3. You can install fabric blinds in the bedroom, living room or children's room. At the same time, they must be in harmony with the furniture upholstery, curtains, wallpaper;
4. Horizontal and roller blinds look good on a small window;
5. Pleated blinds can be installed on skylights and windows with a non-standard shape;
6. In a small room, light-colored blinds made of narrow slats would be appropriate; this will visually enlarge the space;
7. Multi-textured models will look good in a spacious, wide room with a large window.
Popular brands
"Cosiness"
is a manufacturer of vertical and horizontal blinds, cornices and baguette slats from Russia with affordable prices. The website has a designer and the ability to online select blinds for your interior.
"Escar"
- Russian supplier of plastic and aluminum curtain rods, blinds and pleated blinds, roller blinds in the economy and middle segments.
"Amigo"
— a variety of sun protection systems and components in the middle price segment.
"Verend design"
— sun protection, roller shutter and gate systems, middle price segment. The company has stores with showrooms in many large cities.
Wooden blinds "GoodMaster" in the interior: the rich dark coffee color of the slats matches the shade of the furniture, helping to create a harmonious space
Isolite
- manufacturer of premium aluminum horizontal blinds. Products can be purchased from companies specializing in the installation of blinds.
Magellan
is a Russian manufacturer of cornices, blinds and various types of curtains in different price segments.
"GoodMaster"
— blinds and roller blinds in all price segments. The site has a calculator and visualizer. Own production in Russia and sale of blinds from other manufacturers.
Burgos
— blinds jointly produced in Russia and Spain at affordable prices. Ready-made models are presented in large retail chains.
Delfa
is a Belarusian-German company that specializes in the production of blinds, cornices, curtains and components. Products from economy segment to premium.
On the cover are wooden blinds from The Shade Store
The best manufacturers
Before choosing good blinds, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with proven and well-known manufacturers who are very popular and characterized by high quality.
The modern market for blinds and curtains can offer different types and options for any interior, so everyone can choose the optimal model for themselves. There are no clear leaders among the companies that produce blinds, but the most popular are the following:
- Designers Guild;
- Watts;
- Byron & Byron;
- Casa Valentina;
- Hope and Phillips;
- PROMA;
- RolTech;
- Katrice.
The companies described offer a large assortment from different collections, with any color scheme.
