Standard roller blinds are a pipe with a chain control unit on which the fabric is wound. They are installed on windows with a width of more than one and a half meters or an area of more than two squares. Roller blinds of the mini system are small blinds adapted for plastic windows. They are designed for mounting on a sash or closing small window openings. The operating principle and basic equipment of both types of products are the same.
Original mini roller blinds
- Curtains “Zebra”
- Installation methods for mini roller blinds
- How to install a Mini curtain
- Briefly about the main thing
Characteristics of mini roller blinds
Mini curtains are one of the most popular sun protection models. They are ideal for installation on wooden, plastic or aluminum windows, as they are mounted directly on the window sash. They perfectly combine simplicity, reliability, attractiveness and price. They will fit perfectly into any interior - from the bathroom to the office space. A huge palette of fabrics will create a feeling of comfort and protection from sunlight and prying eyes.
The mini system is an inexpensive and at the same time elegant modern window design. These are small and neat curtains with magnetic fixation at the bottom, which allows you to keep the canvas at the desired level, regardless of the shape of the bead. Depending on the color of the window, white, beige or brown fittings are used.
Roller blinds of the mini system are designed for installation on the sash of a plastic window
Custom-made options look ideal. They are made taking into account the features of the window frame and opening, and are also in harmony with the design of the entire room.
The maximum height of the canvas can be 2400 mm, and the width – 1600 mm. The fabrics used for creation are treated with a special impregnation, thanks to which the roller blinds retain their original appearance longer, have a dust-repellent effect and are very easy to care for. Dry cleaning with a brush and vacuum cleaner is quite suitable.
A great variety of curtain models are produced with a huge catalog of colors and patterns of different types.
A big advantage of curtains is the ability to choose options for attaching the product to the window frame. Usually the structure is fixed using self-tapping screws. However, variants of models mounted on double-sided adhesive tape are in great demand. In such cases, special linings are used for the mechanism - they allow you to create a perfectly flat surface for applying tape.
Mini systems can be installed on special hinged plastic or metal brackets.
The color of the curtain can be chosen to suit the interior of any room.
How to choose a compact curtain
A compact roller system is chosen if you need to close each sash separately or limit the access of light through a small window opening. Fittings, color and type of fabric are selected depending on the lighting of the room, the orientation of the windows to the cardinal points, and the interior of the room.
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How to decide on the right sizes
The maximum manufacturing size in width is 1.5 m, in height – 1.8 m, minimum dimensions – 0.35 m. Despite the fact that the price of mini curtains is several times less than a standard system with a reinforced shaft, you should not order compact ones blinds measuring 1.5x1.8 - the product will not withstand such a load. You should focus on the area of the product - no more than 2 sq.m.
The width of the shaft is always several centimeters greater than the width of the fabric. When purchasing roller blinds, you should pay attention to both of these parameters.
Important: The width of the mini cornice must fit on the sash, and the flow of the fabric must not be interfered with by the window handle.
Accessories, fabrics, styles
Plastic fittings for mini roller blinds are made in a variety of colors to achieve maximum compatibility with the color of the window sashes. It happens:
Control units, standard mounting brackets with drilling and L-shaped without drilling, chain, bottom bar, holder, weighting material, connector and chain limiters are manufactured in these colors.
The variety of fabrics offered by manufacturers is so great that catalogs sometimes contain more than 300 different samples. All fabrics can be roughly divided into plain and patterned. Each of these categories comes in the following types:
- Transparent - scatter sunlight, the degree of darkening depends on the density of the fabric
- Dim-out - only 10% of the sun's rays pass through due to a special rubberized backing of the fabric
- Black-out - creates a complete darkness in the room.
Blackout model
Numerous shades of fabrics, floral motifs, geometric patterns, materials like suede, leather or wooden straw, the finest muslin fabrics allow you to choose mini roller blinds to suit any interior. The cost of mini systems is several times less than traditional curtains or cassette blinds.
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Description of design
The design of roller blinds consists of the following elements:
- Control block;
- control circuit;
- control circuit connector;
- control circuit retainer;
- pipe D 17;
- bottom bracket for fishing line;
- fishing line ring;
- plumb line;
- plugs for plumb line;
- sealing brush;
- attachment for fastening;
- hanging bracket (metal or plastic);
- tape for gluing the box, guides and brackets.
The width, length and control side of the product are determined based on the customer’s wishes, taking into account the individual design features of the window frame. It is important to pay attention to the location of window hinges and handles. By default, the control height is 2/3 of the product height. The method of winding the fabric can be direct or reverse.
The fabric does not change size when wet and is not susceptible to exposure to sunlight.
The minimum width of roller blinds can be 25 cm, and the maximum - 150 cm. Similarly, the height varies from 20 cm to 180 cm. If mounted in a window opening, it is advisable to subtract 1-2 cm for adjustment in the presence of uneven slopes.
Materials for production
The best modern fabrics are used to make roller blinds.
Transparent
Screen roller blinds are the most modern window design. They look original both in the apartment and in the office. For their manufacture, fabrics are used that can transmit daylight, but at the same time filter harmful ultraviolet radiation. These models fit perfectly into any setting. During the day, prying eyes will not be able to see what is happening in the room, but at night it is better to cover the window with curtains.
Such curtains do not weigh down the window with fabric, open up the space, and regulate the light in the room.
Dimout
This is a three-layer fabric with a double satin weave in combination with polyester fibers that has not undergone any additional processing. Light absorption is 80-90% and is carried out using special fibers located in the middle layer of the fabric. Dark colors absorb light more actively. Such fabrics allow diffused light to pass through during the day, and provide complete darkness at night.
Mini roller shutters are suitable not only for window decoration, but also for balcony doors.
Curtains help keep the house cool and quiet, protect from sunlight and decorate the interior. They are also suitable for offices, hotels and public spaces.
Day and night
Allows you to adjust the intensity of room lighting: from soft diffused rays to maximum darkness. This is a double fabric with alternating stripes of transparent and dense fabric.
The entire system is selected in color according to the specifics of the room.
Curtains are indispensable in children's rooms and recreation areas or home theaters. They are made of dense material that blocks sunlight and at the same time retains heat in the room.
Blackout
Fabric designed to protect rooms from outside light. A true blackout is a dimout with an additional two or three layers of acrylic foam, which forms a kind of rubberized surface. Light absorption reaches almost 100%. Translated it means total eclipse.
Such curtains were created in Finland, where white nights are a common occurrence. Lightproof mini-systems protect against light penetration and make windows stylish and beautiful.
They are guided by whether it is the sunny side or the shady side, because they have different color schemes.
Three-layer fabric is valued higher. It has high levels of light, heat and noise insulation, and also does not accumulate dust.
Plain blackout curtains create an atmosphere of comfort in offices, hotels, restaurants, spa centers and nightclubs.
pros
Mini roller blinds have a lot of advantages:
- the edges do not bend or wrinkle;
- resistant to fading;
- do not flutter in the wind;
- special impregnation;
- protection from sun, dust and noise;
- reliable mechanism;
- Possibility of installation on different types of windows;
- wide selection of fabrics (texture, color, pattern);
- special Blackout fabrics provide varying degrees of sun protection (partial scattering of rays or complete darkening);
- ease of installation allows you to install them yourself;
- affordable prices.
Minuses
There are practically no downsides to this system. This can only be: poor-quality fittings, incorrect installation or careless operation.
The main features of curtains of this type
There are a number of signs by which you can distinguish mini roller curtains from their regular cassette counterparts. First of all, these are the sizes. One name suggests that the curtains of this option are small in size and cover only the visible part of the window. We also must not forget that such a curtain differs from a cassette curtain in the absence of some elements. An example of such a part would be a guide.
One cannot help but remember that a roller curtain of this size differs significantly from its larger counterparts in the methods of fastening. In our case, the installation of the canvas is carried out directly on the plastic sections of the window, while for full-fledged traditional analogues, special cornices are attached. Well, of course, such a curtain is available to every person, since the cost of the design is very reasonable.
The main features of mini curtains are the possibility of maximizing the release of the window sill and installing panels in any plane. All roller blind materials are not special. As in the case of ordinary curtains, these options are sewn on the basis of cotton, calico, velvet, etc. Still, there are some differences.
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The shaft is used with the smallest diameter to save space and lighten the design. Each curtain is a separate system designed for a specific area of the window opening. Each blade is equipped with a system of tools that greatly simplify the operation process. Mini systems are attached directly to plastic areas through the installation of so-called brackets.
Experienced designers do not recommend using such mechanisms on very spacious windows, since one curtain may not be enough to equip the window opening. According to them, it is better to order high-quality curtains in regular sizes, as it will be both cheaper and much more beautiful.
How to install it yourself
Such designs are designed for installation on a window frame. Most often they are attached using special brackets; they can be plastic or metal. However, there are simpler models that can be glued with double-sided tape.
To correctly select and install a roll system, you need to measure the window parameters.
When installing brackets or gluing tape, you must strictly adhere to the horizontal markings, otherwise skew of the canvas may occur during operation of the roller blinds.
Let's look at a few instructions on how to install mini roller blinds yourself.
Standard installation:
- Draw a perfectly straight horizontal line at the fastening site.
- Mark the installation locations of the brackets and the holes for the screws on the window sashes.
- Using a screwdriver or drill and a thin drill bit, drill holes in the window frame for fastenings.
- Attach the brackets to the frame and fasten with self-tapping screws. It is important to note that regardless of the type of fastening, the open part of the chain mechanism is directed downward.
- Latches with gears are inserted into the pipe with the fabric.
- Next, a bracket is installed into the pipe. Afterwards, lightly press on it so that the latches with gears are recessed into the bracket until a click appears.
- We fix the decorative elements - bracket covers.
- When installing mini systems on tilting or roof windows, lower brackets and rings for tensioning the fishing line are installed parallel to the window to fix the canvas.
It is imperative to maintain a horizontal line during installation.
Installation of roller blinds using tape:
- First you need to snap on the attachments for gluing the brackets.
- Using alcohol, degrease the areas of the window profile where the fasteners will be glued.
- For better adhesion of surfaces, the tape should be heated with a hairdryer, then remove the protective film and, pressing tightly, stick it on the surface of the window.
- Further assembly steps are carried out similarly to standard installation from points 5 to 8.
Minirollo Installation Guide
Rolls are secured with or without drilling. Usually, to prevent damage, it is installed on brackets or tape. The tape is attached to any of the plastic windows, and this process is suitable for beginners.
With drilling
However, first we will consider the method of drilling into the fasteners supplied with the curtain.
Scheme for installing curtains on self-tapping screws with drilling the frame
The process goes like this:
- the packaging is removed, all the design details and fittings are taken out;
The curtains can be supplied with several installation options. - the control unit and blind bushing are inserted;
- plastic fasteners are put on the sides;
- The blinds are applied to the window, and the holes for fastening are marked.
Important! In this case, you need to maintain a horizontal line in the installation.
- the fasteners are removed and one of them is drilled;
- blinds are inserted into the fastenings;
- the second bracket is drilled.
Installation procedure for open roller blinds
Then the entire mini rollo system is assembled:
- the shaft with the canvas is installed;
- the canvas is lowered and a limiter is installed;
- the canvas is raised and the second of the limiters is installed;
- a weighting material is put on, a chain holder is attached;
- the curtain is ready.
Lastly, the guide line is installed, if this is provided for by the design of the curtain
No drilling
The surface where the tape will be applied is degreased, and the gluing points are precisely marked. At the same time, horizontal position is maintained, otherwise the system is not operational. The system is glued and placed on the brackets.
Installation diagram for curtains without drilling using double-sided tape
Important! The shaft must be horizontal.
Scheme for installing curtains without drilling on brackets
Installation on hanging brackets is only possible on a movable sash of a plastic window
Care Tips
For the manufacture of mini roll systems, fabrics treated with a special impregnation are used, which enhances their strength and extends their service life. In order for the mini-system to remain attractive for as long as possible, you should adhere to some rules:
- When caring for the canvas, it is best to use dry cleaning using a brush or vacuum cleaner.
- Wet cleaning can deform the canvas and damage the layer, which has protective and dust-repellent properties.
- Some fabrics allow very gentle wet cleaning using a soft sponge, as well as the use of powders with neutral pH. After this procedure, the canvas should be dried unrolled.
- A regular eraser will help remove minor stains.
- Direct contact of dirt with the surface of the canvas should be avoided. For example, when cooking, it can be rolled up so that drops of fat do not spoil the fabric.
- In order for the roller blind mechanism to work properly, reliably and for a long time, it is periodically treated with a special silicone aerosol.
- Do not allow mechanical deformation of the canvas.
Following simple tips will help extend the life of your favorite curtains and maintain comfort in your home.
Advantages and disadvantages
When choosing mini curtains for installation on plastic windows, you should pay attention to the positive and negative aspects of using these functional structures.
Among the advantages, experts and consumers highlight the following characteristics.
- The minimal dimensions and lightness of the products allow you to decorate the window in an elegant and simple style. Most fabrics and traditional blinds create a feeling of heaviness and pressure when decorating small openings.
- There is an option for additionally equipping blinds, which will make it possible to use the systems on the surface of the attic window, albeit with a small angle of inclination.
- The plumb line on the mini curtains is represented by a soft seal in the form of a brush, which ensures that there is no noise when the system is operating and when it is completely lowered.
- The canvases are unpretentious in care. It is enough to treat them with a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment and periodically wipe with a damp cloth.
- To create structures, durable materials are used that will last for many years.
- Thanks to special impregnations, resistance to moisture and fire and long-term preservation of the original color are achieved.
The disadvantages include the following points.
- The systems are designed for mounting only on plastic windows. Other options are possible, but the quality of the product may noticeably suffer.
- The canvas moves only from top to bottom, which reduces the number of possibilities when adjusting the light flux.
- The specific type of systems and their lightness do not allow their use on large windows. In practice this is possible, but the attractiveness of the image will suffer.
Mini roll systems are a very specific product that must be used strictly for its intended purpose.
Rules for managing decorative systems
Despite the small size of the products, the canvas can be controlled mechanically or using an electric drive. With the first type of control, it is possible to choose a design based on a spring or a chain. With the second, there is a whole range of solutions up to complete automation of the system.
The location of the control unit and fittings depends on the wishes of the customer and is installed on any side of the product. Another advantage of such structures is the possibility of self-repair of products. You just need to purchase special parts that are freely available and fix the problem.
