Mini roller blinds are one of the most popular and affordable roller blind systems. The versatility of its device, low cost, and the ability to purchase ready-made in retail stores or large shopping centers make it very popular among buyers. Many types of fabrics, especially if you decide to order these wonderful products from manufacturers in your city, will undoubtedly delight the consumer. The possibility of applying photo printing makes this product completely exclusive and it will fit very well into your interior. After reading this article you will know everything about this system that is necessary to make the right and informed choice. Enjoy reading!
- Kinds
- Mini
- Zebra mini
- Day night mini
- Installation locations
- On the sash
- Into the opening
- On the wall
- Control
- Chain
- Chain holder
- Spring
- Automatic
- Fastening
- For self-tapping screws
- On tape
- For clamps
- Additional plumb clamps
- Guide string, fishing line
- Magnets
- Plastic fastenings
- Scheme
- Fabrics
- Fabric catalog video
- Video
- Reviews
Types of mini roller blinds
There are only three types of mini roller blinds . The first is a regular roller blind with one sheet of fabric to which we will dedicate this article, but so that you don’t have any confusion in your head, we will briefly mention two more types of mini roller blinds - a mini zebra, and a day-night roller blind system.
First, look at very detailed reviews about classic roller blinds of the Mini system from the manufacturer, and roller blinds of the Zebra Mini system, I’m sure you’ll learn something new. And it’s better to watch once than to read once)))
Video: Mini roller blinds (video from the ZHALYUZNIK online store)
Video: Roller blinds Zebra Mini (video from the ZHALYUZNIK online store)
Mini roller blinds
Mini roller blinds for plastic windows are a free-hanging roller blind system equipped with a fabric sheet, which is attached at the top to a movable shaft using an adhesive base. At the bottom edge of the fabric there is a lower plumb line, a weighting agent for the roller blind. Which by default is not fixed by anything, unless you use additional clamps, which we will talk about a little below. The edges of the fabric sheet are also not secured by anything and their shape is supported only by the lower weighting strip, which can be sewn into the fabric or fixed in special grooves of the steel, magnetic lower plumb line with a plastic strip with a retainer.
On the sides of the shaft, the pipe on which the fabric is wound, there are plastic brackets for attaching the curtain to a vertical plane. A control mechanism is installed in the shaft, which can be chain, spring or electric.
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Zebra mini
Mini zebra roller blinds are the same mini system, only with a double sheet of striped fabric. The entire system is completely identical to what was said above, with one small difference that the lower plumb line of the fabric is not fixed to it, but rolls between two layers of fabric, has the shape of a pipe, on the sides of which special plugs are inserted so that the plumb line does not fall out of the fabric. If you like the zebra mini system, click on the more details button, there is a whole article with photos and videos dedicated to this particular system.
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Double roller blinds mini day night
Mini roller blinds with two sheets of fabric - day and night can also be installed on a plastic window sash, but this is done very rarely; much more often they are simply installed on a wall or in a ceiling niche. This system is called day-night, but there are other day-night systems with double sheets of material, which, in my opinion, are much more attractive than this curtain. An article has also been written about them, click for more details.
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What errors occur during measurement?
Even if you are sure that you know how to measure a window for roller blinds, sometimes it is impossible to avoid mistakes. To ensure that further installation does not cause difficulties, you need to try to provide for everything. If you do not want to install roller blinds that are too large or narrow, then you need to take measurements at several points.
The most common mistake is to take measurements in only one place. However, sometimes the width or height of typical window openings may vary at several points. Therefore, it is better to measure it in 3 places, and when ordering, indicate not the maximum, but the minimum value so that the decorative element fits.
For roller blinds, it is also important to take into account the dimensions of the roller shutters. The difference due to fastenings may differ by several millimeters. If this is not taken into account, you may end up with blinds that are too wide and extend beyond the frame. This option is primarily inconvenient because the day-night curtain can block access to the handles and touch other elements. In this case, there is a high risk of tearing it off during use.
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Determining the dimensions required for installing roller blinds is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Since the height of most finished products is standard, experts advise paying more attention to the width. If you make a mistake with it, then there may be gaps in the window openings through which light will penetrate. For open type fastenings, the fabric can most often be cut, so the wide fabric can be adjusted to the desired size. Write down all the information you receive so you don't forget anything. And remember that individual double-glazed windows sometimes require rolls of different widths. Do not forget to measure each glass so as not to make a mistake with the size.
The video shows how to measure and install roller blinds:
Installation locations for mini roller blinds
Mini roller blinds have great versatility and can be installed on almost any horizontal or vertical plane, attached both to the wall and to the side or top slopes. Let's take a closer look at where and how you can install roller blinds of the mini system .
On the sash
Mini roller blinds are installed on plastic windows, namely on the sashes of the window frame in the vast majority of cases, moreover, this is exactly what it was created for. The product is compact and lightweight, does not weigh down the window sash, which allows the swing sash to work for a long time without adjustments or other troubles. The lower plumb line of the fabric in these cases is usually fixed with additional fasteners.
Into the opening
Mini blinds on plastic windows can also be installed in the window opening, either on the side vertical slopes, but this requires slightly different brackets, with the possibility of side mounting, or on the upper slope or on the frame of a plastic window, covering the entire window. But in this case, you need to look to see if the window handle will interfere with the canvas when closing the curtain, and the roll of fabric itself may interfere with the opening of the sash. They are usually installed in the opening when the window is blind and does not have opening sashes.
On the wall
Mini roller blinds can be installed on the wall, covering the entire window opening, you just need to look at the overall dimensions of the product so that it is not too large, otherwise the shaft or brackets may not withstand it. If a thin shaft with a diameter of 18 mm is installed on a roller blind with a mini mechanism , then the width of the product should not exceed 1.5 meters. And the height is no more than 2.0 meters. You also need to take into account the weight of the fabric. There are very heavy, dense blackout fabrics, when using which you should reduce the size of the product (for example, you can install it on each sash), or increase the diameter of the pipe to 25 mm; for this shaft there will also be more durable brackets.
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.
Mini roller blind control
Mini roller blinds can be controlled in three ways. The most common and budget-friendly one is the chain option. But the chain can be damaged, and in this case the spring-inertial control mechanism comes to the rescue. But it also has its drawbacks. And the most modern and at the same time expensive is the electric method of controlling roller blinds. Let's take a closer look at them.
Chain control mechanism
Small blinds with a chain - the most optimal, price-quality, roller blind control mechanism. The chain consists of plastic balls, which are strung on a durable braided braid and closed in a ring by means of a control chain lock. The chain also contains two travel limiters for the curtain fabric, which set the final positions, upper and lower. These are very important elements of the curtain.
If, for example, the bottom position is not set, then the curtain may fall lower than necessary and peel off from the shaft. Since 2-3 turns of fabric on the shaft should always be present. To avoid sagging, the chain is attached to the window sash using a special chain fastening.
The mechanism of interaction is as follows: when force is applied to one end of the chain, the curtain rises and falls to the other. The mechanism is not expensive and can be easily replaced in case of breakdown.
Control circuit holder
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The mini curtain chain holder is used to keep the control chain from sagging. This will be relevant when the sash is open for ventilation, or in cases where the wind can swing the plumb line of the chain and when it hits the frame of the plastic window it will make unpleasant sounds.
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Spring control mechanism
Mini roller blinds with a spring-inertial mechanism are an option more expensive than conventional curtains with a chain mechanism, but in some cases they are irreplaceable. The fact is that the chain can be damaged by children, pets or an adult with a careless movement. Roller blinds with springs do not have this drawback. But there is also a negative point. When opening the curtains upward, you have to reach up to the top point, which for small people, or if the upper slope of the window is high, can cause inconvenience.
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Automatic mini
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Automatic mini rollers are an expensive and modern type of roller shutter control. Control can be carried out from the remote control, switch or Smart Home. The peculiarity is that there are no wires connected to the curtain, and the curtain is equipped with a non-removable battery, which simply needs to be charged once every six months. The connector for connecting the charger is hidden in the side bracket behind a decorative plug.
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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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Mini roller blind mount
Mini roller blinds, if we are talking about installation on a window sash, can be attached in two ways, with self-tapping screws or with double-sided tape, without drilling the plastic frame. Fastening with self-tapping screws will be reliable, while fastening with tape will be less reliable. Never attach the product to a wall, slopes or ceiling with tape. Let's take a closer look.
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Mini curtain with screws
Self-tapping screws are the most reliable way to attach roller blinds; the screw is screwed into the frame of the plastic window and firmly fixes the bracket in its place. Many people are afraid that as a result of this, heat loss in the room will increase, I hasten to reassure you. Nothing will happen to the internal climate of the room. Since the profile of a plastic window does not consist of one chamber, often 5 or 7 air chambers. The hole is made only in the first one, and besides, a screw is screwed into these holes. This will not affect the heat exchange between the environment and the room at all.
But there are times when you don’t need to drill windows, and in this case you need to install roller blinds with double-sided tape. For example, the landlord prohibited anything from being done to the windows in the premises.
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Mini curtain with tape
The mini curtain can be attached with tape. For this, a special platform for double-sided tape is used. Both surfaces, the frame of the plastic window and the platform, are thoroughly degreased before applying the tape. The products generally hold up well. But there were cases when they still “fell.” I think this is due either to poor preliminary cleaning of the surface. Or with quite a long period of use, as a result of which the glue on the tape has dried out. Or by applying enough force to the curtain so that it can come off.
In this case, the bracket is simply inserted into the slide on the platform.
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Attaching mini rolls to clamps
Fastening the mini with clips is used quite rarely, because they can only be installed on an opening sash; on a blind sash, you still have to install it only on a platform with adhesive tape. In this case, the curtain bracket is inserted into the grooves of the clamp on the side.
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Various mini system manufacturers
Escar minirollo
This is a domestic manufacturer that produces beautiful, comfortable curtains of many types and colors. Escar curtains are suitable for windows, balconies and doorways. Natural fabrics and polyester are used in our work. In particular, “day and night”, blackout and other designs are produced. Product prices are lower than for imported manufacturers.
Curtains “Day-Night” are made of polyester with dust-moisture-repellent impregnation
Each curtain comes with instructions for cleaning and use. They include the following prohibitions for the Escar product line, which must certainly be observed during operation:
- one turn of the fabric must remain on the shaft when unrolling; it cannot be unrolled to the end;
- only neutral products are used for cleaning; chemicals spoil the natural fabric of the linen;
- dried only in unfolded form;
- stain remover for curtains should be based on natural ingredients.
The design features allow the system to be used on all windows in our country, especially plastic ones; it is very reliable in operation and cheap. A great variety of blinds models are produced with a huge catalog of colors and patterns of different types.
Minirolla Escar does not cover the entire window opening, but only the glass itself
Mini-curtains are fixed to the frame without drilling using clips or double-sided tape
The color of the curtain can be chosen to suit the interior of any room
Garden minirollo
The designs are made from plain fabrics with a shimmering effect of very high density and strength. The fabric does not change size when wet and is not susceptible to exposure to sunlight. Attaches without drilling, with clamps or adhesive tape, covering the entire window.
Minirolls “Garden” open type – the most affordable
Cassette mini-blinds with side rails are more expensive, but provide complete protection from sunlight
Such curtains do not weigh down the window with fabric, open up the space, and regulate the light in the room. The country of origin is Türkiye, they are made of plastic and fabric. They are very reliable to use, although they are somewhat more expensive than their domestic counterparts. Curtains are processed directly on the window, because their fabric does not deform when wet. There are many colors available, but they are monochromatic and come in different systems.
Minirolls are suitable not only for decorating windows, but also for balcony doors
Additional lower plumb clamps
When installing on a sash, it is recommended to use one of the types of fixation of the lower fabric weighting material. This can be done in three ways. Magnets, guide line or plastic clips. But the latter is used quite rarely. Let's look at them.
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Guide string, fishing line
Mini roller blinds with guide strings have a number of advantages over magnetic fasteners. But there is also one drawback. The advantages include the fact that the roller blind with a fishing line or cable will be fixed at any height to which the roller blind is raised. And the negative aspects include the property that the fishing line can be broken, for example, this often happens when you turn the handle of the opening sash and hook the string with your fingers.
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Magnetic latches
Magnets for fixing the bottom bar are used quite often. The advantage is convenience. When the curtain is lowered, the finishing strip itself is pressed against the magnets, and so in order to raise the curtain, you do not need to perform unnecessary movements.
But there is also a negative point. If you need to slightly raise the mini curtain fabric, then as soon as the steel bar moves away from the magnet, in this case it will no longer be fixed by anything.
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Plastic clips
Plastic fastenings on mini roller blinds are used quite rarely; they are more often used on horizontal blinds. If the curtains are used frequently, they will become uncomfortable. And for constantly closed curtains, there are such situations, the finishing strip is very securely fixed.
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How to hang roller blinds with fishing line
Curtains for plastic windows are often produced with string guides. The fishing line helps to avoid the movement of the canvas during closing and opening of the doors.
How to attach roller blinds with fishing line:
- Connect the grooves and holders.
- Insert the strings into the bottom holes of the holders.
- Glue the grooves to the frame or mount them with self-tapping screws.
- Install a chain mechanism on the tube with the blade and install plugs.
- Fix the shaft in the brackets.
- Attach line tension devices to the bottom of the sash.
- Pull the strings, press them with clamps.
Installation diagram for roller blinds with string guides
Fabrics
The mini system can be used to install almost any fabric that is used for roller blinds, including zebra. Fabrics can have different densities, composition, texture and other properties. The blackout mini roller blind with reflective fabric and a guide line is described in detail in the video below, be sure to watch it. In this article I will not describe all the fabrics, since it turned out to be quite voluminous, but I will link below to an article dedicated only to fabrics for roller blinds.
We calculate the sizes ourselves
To avoid possible discrepancies in the sizes of your windows and roller curtains, you need to take careful measurements. Only then will the product you choose match the window slot as closely as possible and allow you to install the curtains on the frames as accurately as possible.
The easiest way to take the necessary measurements is to use a handy measuring tape. It is best to measure the frame at several points in order to take into account all uneven places and small distortions.
Important! Before starting measurements, you must take into account which curtain system will be used, as well as the method of its attachment.
We take measurements.
- If installation will be carried out on a wall, measure the width of the opening and add 1 cm on all sides. This will avoid the occurrence of gaps on the sides of the slopes.
Calculate the required size of roller blinds
- In the same way, we measure the height of the opening, adding another 5 cm to the result obtained. If the window has a protruding window sill, then the canvas should not touch it, take this into account.
We measure the width and height of the glass and window sash
- If the roller shutter is attached to the opening, then it will subtract 1-2 cm in height and width from the measurements obtained.
We measure the depth of the glazing bead in order to determine which roller blind system will suit us best
- When installing on a window frame, the starting measurement points should be located at the outer edges of the glass. Add another 4 cm to the height.
- If you are planning a floor-length vertical roller blind with a ceiling mounting system, then you need to measure the height of the wall to the ceiling, it is advisable to take into account the width of the cornice, if present. Do not forget that you will have to subtract 1-2 cm from this size to avoid the canvas coming into contact with the floor and deforming it.
The standard length of the canvas is 160-170 cm, cut to the desired length on site
- If you need to attach a roller curtain to only one window sash, measure its width from the outer edge to the handle. We subtract half a centimeter from the obtained value, this is necessary so that the edges of the canvas do not break when opening the sash. You need to subtract one to two centimeters from the length of the sash.
Determining the size of a roller blind on a window with a handle
When choosing a ready-made roller blind for a balcony door, you need to take into account that its standard size is 68*215 cm
In order for roller blinds to fit perfectly and serve for a long time, you need to take into account several important factors.
- fastening type;
Mounting options for roller blinds
- features of materials;
Variety of fabrics for roller blinds
- the style in which the room is decorated;
Striped roller blinds look great in a country style kitchen
- the level of illumination in the room and the level of transparency of the curtain material.
Most of these criteria are easy to find out; just carefully study the product catalog provided by the curtain store. You can take measurements yourself. But if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to involve specialists in measuring manipulations.
When you need to visually stretch a room, install roller blinds from the ceiling
Structure management
Roller curtains can be controlled mechanically. Manufacturers offer the following devices:
- cord with chain. The simplest adjustment is to select the position of the material with a cord on the panel. You will need to lift, fix in the desired position and lower the roller blinds manually. The chain cord can be placed on any side of the mechanism. If handled carefully, the system does not sag and can be used for a long time;
- spring holder. The device is suitable for classic sun protection options and curtains that open from bottom to top. The control process is implemented by automatically fixing the material at the desired level. Spring mechanisms are only suitable for curtains without constant adjustment. Otherwise, they may stretch and weaken. Problems with fixing blinds lead to expensive repairs to the holder;
- electric drive. Despite the complexity of the design, the system is easy to use. The electric motor allows you to control the canvas on high windows, ceilings, and sloping attic walls without going near it.
Advice! Before choosing a control system, test it in a store.
