Roller blinds for wooden windows (selection, installation, design)

If you understand how roller blinds are attached, you can choose a balanced installation system and install sun protection structures without the help of others.

Curtains and roller blinds are being used more and more often in the design of residential premises and offices. There are different aspects that affect the mounting option for roller blinds. Certain types of structural fixation can make the atmosphere in the room more cozy or festive, add a little free space, and provide reliable protection from weather conditions and sunlight. You just need to figure out which system is more suitable for a certain type of window.

Open roll design

Types of roller blinds

All roller blinds are divided into 2 types:

With an open design consisting of a shaft with a cloth wound on it, connected to a guide mechanism and a dense bottom strip.
With box (cassette system). It covers the shaft and the assembled fabric, protecting and fixing it, preventing it from sagging and deforming even in an inclined position of the window.

The first type is more rational to use for covering the entire window opening, it costs much less and is more practical to use. The second is designed for fastening directly to the sash. The product ensures tightness due to its tight fit to the glass. In addition, by installing closed roller blinds on wooden windows, you don’t have to worry about the material getting dirty. The box will protect the wound fabric from dust and dirt.

Products are also divided by type of control:

Using a chain cord attached to either side of the shaft, the blade is manually raised and lowered and fixed in the desired position.
The spring holder allows you to automatically fix the blade when it reaches a predetermined level.
Electric drive control is the easiest to operate, but the most complex in operating principle. Suitable for installing curtains in hard-to-reach places.

Any control mechanism has its advantages and disadvantages, which should be taken into account before purchasing one or another type. Thus, the spring clamp is not durable, and remote control via a high-quality electric motor will require significant financial investments.

Roller curtains differ in the material used to make the fabric. The most common are polyester, nylon, and cotton, but if desired, you can equip the system with any fabric. The material is treated with special means that protect it from the penetration of dust and bacteria, prevent paints from fading and significantly increase their service life. Depending on the fabric throughput, curtains can be:

Transparent. They easily transmit the sun's rays and are used in combination with curtains as a decorative component.
Dimout. They partially transmit light and retain heat.
Blackout. Completely lightproof, great for home theaters, bedrooms and children's rooms.
Day Night. They combine opaque and transparent stripes, thanks to which you can adjust the degree of darkness without opening and closing the curtains.

Popular options

Classic roller blinds are essentially a metal pipe (usually aluminum) on which fabric is wound, secured on the sides in two plastic brackets. The brackets can be attached to both the ceiling and the wall. These open, free-hanging systems are controlled using a chain mechanism.

Cassette types are mounted on double-glazed windows of wooden or plastic euro-windows. They are equipped with a decorative box with side guides. There are also attic options that have special strings that reliably fix the canvas in an inclined position.

You may get the idea that such beautiful curtains are only necessary to cover the window with thick fabric to protect from the hot rays of the sun, sometimes forcing you to even turn on the electric light. This opinion is absolutely groundless, since “letting in” all the shades of light of a sunny summer day into the room or flooding the room with light of your favorite shade, for example, soothing greenish or light blue, is not at all difficult. To do this, you only need light filters that use special fabric of different color shades and different light transmittance.

Due to this you can get:

transparent roller blinds that diffuse the sun's rays well. They are recommended to be installed on windows facing southeast and east;
translucent (Dim-out), like tulle, which lets in sunlight and retains heat. It is always bright indoors on sunny days. This is an excellent solution for shading mini-greenhouses, winter gardens and indoor plants.
completely opaque - Blackout, which block sunlight up to 90%. Very convenient for use in bedrooms, children's rooms, living rooms facing west or southwest. Models with guides give a particularly good effect.

Design options for roller blinds

Window decoration using roller curtains is possible in many designs. First of all, there is a large selection of densities and colors of linen fabrics. The palette of curtains should be combined with the entire furnishings of the room in the case of creating a single composition. If you want to focus attention on the opening, choose bright, contrasting colors.

Transparency is chosen depending on the room and its location, functional orientation. It will be possible to protect yourself from the scorching rays from the south side with the help of a dense material, and a transparent one will ensure full access to light. The versatility of roller curtains allows you to complement the composition by hanging ordinary curtains or lambrequins as a frame for the opening. Additionally, the products are decorated with tassels and fringes.

The pattern of the canvas is of great importance in the interior of the room.

A large print visually reduces the opening, which is in demand in small rooms with roof windows. A fine pattern of soft shades will enhance it. If it is necessary to visually expand a narrow sash, a horizontal strip is recommended, and a vertical strip is recommended to raise it.

Installing roller blinds directly on the sash increases the functionality of the windows. The material does not need to be moved apart or lifted to open the doors. They even make mini models, which are used to cover the smallest window.

Which ones are better for Euro windows?

For plastic and wooden euro-windows, open roller blinds of the Mini system and cassette Uni system are most suitable.

Mini system

The Mini system has a minimum configuration, which includes:

a pipe with a wound sheet of fabric;
side brackets for pipe mounting;
chain of command;
plumb plank

Due to the absence of a box and side guides, the cost of the product is significantly saved.

To fix the Mini system in the lower position, two special magnets attached to the frame are used. They are controlled by a classic chain mechanism, which can be installed on the right or left during manufacture.

Uni system

The Uni system is a cassette system and, by attaching directly to the frame, allows the installation of roller blinds separately on each window sash. The Uni system has also improved the control mechanism - the curtains can be fixed in any position without fixing the chains in a special clamp.

For Euro-windows with a bead depth of more than 6 mm, many special designs cannot be installed. The Uni 2 system is designed for these cases. They are similar in shape and color to the Uni system. However, the special profile provided in its design, which is attached to the window, makes it possible to move the roller blind and secure it. In addition, they are equipped with original U-shaped profiles.

How to install correctly

The installation of mini models differs from the installation of classic ones - in addition to self-tapping screws, high-quality adhesive tape can be used during installation, especially since the weight of the product allows this. That is, Mini systems can be installed without causing damage to the frames. If necessary, they can be removed almost without a trace, since traces of adhesive tape can be easily wiped off with kerosene or acetone.

Uni can be installed either using self-tapping screws or using drop-in brackets, plastic or metal, without drilling (for opening sashes). Moreover, Uni curtains are another type with Velcro: for their installation you can use special double-sided tape. Installation, based on the design features of the frame, is carried out either in the light opening or directly on the sash with a glazing bead depth of less than 6 mm.

Advantages of roller blinds

Any window structures are designed to protect the room and everything in it from sunlight and paint fading. In addition, hide the inhabitants from prying eyes. Rolled structures also perform these functions, but have a number of advantages:

Special treatment of the fabric does not allow dust and dirt to penetrate, not absorbing it, but repelling it. The colors do not fade even after many years of use.
An air gap is formed between the curtain and the glass, which can keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
The versatility and large range of models and configurations allows you to choose a product to suit any style and interior.
They look great either alone or in combination with other decorative elements.
Easy to install. They are easy to use. They are easy to care for, and thanks to the method of winding the fabric, the fabric does not wrinkle or deform.
The fixation system allows you to close the window not completely, but only partially. The choice of light transmission of the canvas expands the implementation of lighting or darkening rooms.
The possibility of mounting on the sash provides full access to the window at any time. There is no need to open the curtains to open it.

Advantages and features of the open type of fastening of roll structures

This type of fixation allows you to strengthen the curtains both above the window opening and in it. The system is usually installed on plastic windows, but there are also multi-purpose mechanisms.

There are a few things you should know about open mounts for roller blinds.

They come in several types. The “mini” mount is perfect for a sash or frame. “Standard” is ideally mounted above the window opening. “Attic” is suitable for windows of complex shapes.
Regardless of the type, the principle of structure and operation of the mechanism is similar everywhere. The curtain is wound on a special shaft, which is secured between 2 holders. Roller
curtains are controlled using a chain or spring mechanism. In the 2nd case, the holder is installed on the bottom bar. The curtain only needs to be pulled down and fixed at a level that provides the desired darkening of the room. In order to raise roller blinds, their canvas must be pulled down to unlock the system and released.
Often, to fix the structure parallel to the window, guides with a hook are used.
There are several options for fixing systems on plastic and wood windows. This can be double-sided mounting tape. Its drawback is the melting of the adhesive layer during hot periods. You can use hangers, but they are not suitable for all types of frames. The most common option is to fasten structures using screws or self-tapping screws.
The diameter of the shaft depends on the width of the web. Oversized roller blinds need a strong bar. Otherwise, the system may become deformed or break.

Closed roll box

Features and rules for fastening systems

There are certain points that you need to pay attention to when choosing and selecting a system.

Not only the diameter of the shaft is important, but also the length of the fasteners on which it is attached. The longer the element, the greater the winding volume it will provide. Therefore, when choosing a fabric made of loose or very dense material, you need to take fasteners of the greatest length.
One of the positive aspects of roller devices installed on plastic windows is silent operation. Therefore, if the slightest noise is heard when checking the system, this indicates design flaws or incorrect assembly.
In the near future, many exotic options for systems on plastic frames have appeared. For example, there are boxes that are attached in such a way that they move along with the curtain. This allows you to control the structure in 2 directions.
Another exotic option is temporary systems on special strips that are attached with tape and allow the system to be transported if necessary. This is often used to decorate cottages and rental premises.

Experienced specialists will help you understand the variety of systems. It is better to consult with a specialist in advance than to not have to redo complex work later.

Roller structures combined with classic curtains

What should be the basis for choosing the type of fixation for roller blinds?

When choosing a rational option for attaching curtains, you need to rely not only on your sense of style, but also on the features of the multifunctional load on the window clearance.

It is recommended to decorate the widest and deepest window openings with closed systems that are attached to the frame. This will allow you to use the window sill area for decorative purposes, and a large roll will not distract attention.
If there is no window sill and the window size is small, it is better to prefer the option of mounting above the skylight. This will allow you to take a longer cornice, which will visually stretch the gap. The choice of system type in this case depends on personal preferences.
The space of a small room can be visually enlarged by choosing roller blinds to match the color of the walls and fixing them above the window opening. It is better to fix colorful and contrasting panels on the doors; this will leave more free space.

Such an abundance of mounting options and amazing colors of roller blinds allow you to decorate the room to your own taste without sacrificing free space. Ordinary fixation variations can be dealt with without the help of others. It is only necessary to correctly make the annotations that are attached to sun protection systems.

Operating principle

Roller blinds consist of two main elements - the canvas and the roller on which it is wound. The package also includes a lifting mechanism: rope or chain; and a weighting agent - a plastic or metal strip inserted into the drawstring at the lower edge of the canvas. Additionally, a decorative cornice can be used to cover the roller, as well as clamps that press the canvas to the window frame. With the help of a lifting mechanism, the canvas rises, wrapping around the shaft - the light opening of the window opens. When lowered, it closes.