The word “blackout” refers to light-proof interior fabrics. Materials of this kind have a three-layer structure, they are shape-resistant, made from synthetic raw materials and are not used for sewing clothes. Most often, blackout is used to make curtains for living rooms, offices, restaurants, hotels, and educational institutions. Thanks to a special reflective coating or weaving fabric, this material protects from the scorching sun, allows you to make daytime sleep comfortable, and is also used for working with projectors if it is urgently necessary to darken the room.
One of the popular types of curtains that are made from blackout is roller blinds (they are also called roller blinds). This type of textile has a special design, thanks to which the curtain can be raised or lowered like blinds. Such roller blinds are very popular due to their laconic and stylish appearance, ease of operation and the ability to effectively shade a room.
Pros and cons of blackout roller blinds
Main advantages:
- effective dimming;
- the ability to conveniently adjust the flow of light;
- fire safety (in case of fire they do not burn, but melt);
- practicality, wear resistance (the curtain does not fade, does not fade, does not deteriorate over time);
- environmentally friendly, no toxic substances are released at high temperatures;
- an effective addition to the interior;
- Possibility of use in any room;
- variety of assortment and the ability to match any interior;
- the ability to close only part of the glass without completely blocking access to sunlight;
- significant cost savings (when decorating a large window with curtains, you need to buy significantly more fabric to create folds);
- variety of types: cassette UNI, Mini, MGS and others;
- no special care is required (during production, the fabrics are impregnated with a special composition).
In addition to controlling light, window coverings play an important role in maintaining the comfort of your home.
Main disadvantages:
- limited choice in color, pattern and size (the largest width is 280-300 cm);
- synthetic materials;
- the cost is slightly higher than other window accessories.
There are significantly more advantages, and where protection and darkening of windows is important, the disadvantages seem insignificant.
Blackout roller blinds are made of special light-proof material.
Functionality of roller blinds
Main functions:
- darkening windows at any time of the day;
- completely cover the room from prying eyes;
- help maintain the indoor microclimate;
- will help provide high-quality thermal insulation and slightly reduce heat loss;
- will help protect against extraneous noise;
- provide comfort while sleeping;
- will help protect furniture and interior items from fading;
- decorative function - if selected correctly, they will perfectly decorate the interior of the room.
In the children's room, they will protect the window from the sun's rays in the early morning and during the day during sleep. The bedroom will create a comfortable environment for sleeping during the day. In the hall, living room and office, interior items are protected from fading, TV screens and computer screens from the sun. Kitchen curtains are usually chosen in light colors or you can choose bright ones.
It is already difficult to imagine modern buildings without roller blinds. The design and color palette change and improve every year, pleasing more than surprising.
Accessories perform darkening and decorative functions in cafes, bars, photo salons, cinemas, shopping centers and hotels. The company logo can be applied to roller blinds or sent to customers as advertising for the company.
Thanks to the use of modern technologies, the level of comfort in our homes increases.
They are used in kindergartens, schools, and public institutions. In each place, curtains perform a specific function.
Recommendations
In the interior, blackout blinds will only look good if you follow a number of recommendations:
- select the canvas according to the size;
- the design must correspond to the installed interior items;
- the presence of vertical stripes visually lifts the walls, and horizontal stripes expand the room;
- canvases in light shades – visually enlarges the space;
- Warm colors are best used in northern rooms, and cool colors in southern ones.
To ensure the longevity of the products, certain restrictions must be followed. Not only curtains can be cleaned, but also the surfaces that come into contact with them. The fabric should not react with detergents. Natural ventilation of the room helps clean the fabric from dirt.
What are roller blinds made of?
The material from which the curtains are made has a special structure.
The fabric consists of several layers:
- the first outer layer is opaque and reflective of sunlight, most often thick polyester is used (the fabric does not wrinkle);
- the second dense layer retains heat and diffuses light;
- the last layer is the decorative front layer; it can be of various colors and textures.
Note! There is a special type of Black Out fabric - with a “mirror” side facing the street. It is able to protect even from the extreme southern sun, and also helps reduce room temperature by 20%.
The color palette of fabrics is very rich. Daylight emphasizes the beauty and purity of white curtains and visually increases the volume of the room. Beige color is the most popular; it goes well with any interior colors. Blue color brings lightness, peace and carefreeness to the atmosphere of the room.
Blackout roller blinds mean privacy and comfort. They give you the right to decide what can go through your windows.
Additional Information! The black color on the window looks elegant and sophisticated. However, designers do not recommend using it; it is still a depressing color.
Zebra
Zebra blackout
Watch the video with Zebra striped fabric.
Video: Zebra MGS (video from the ZHALYUZNIK online store)
Zebra blackout roller blinds are an interesting system. The fabric on it consists of two layers, moreover, it is made of strips, one translucent and the other opaque, blackout. Can be installed on any roller blind system. It can also be equipped with an electric drive. The only thing is that a spring-inertial mechanism cannot be installed on it, since the plumb line of the fabric is not static, but rolls between two sheets of fabric, and there will be nothing to attach the handle to. Watch the video of how zebra roller blinds work for a more precise understanding.
All other properties are the same as for roller blinds with one layer of blackout fabric.
How to choose the right opacity
The opacity of blackout fabric is affected by:
- material structure;
- condition of the outer layer;
- density and thickness of layers.
A unique solution for windows that improves lighting, interior, and comfort issues.
The denser and thicker the fabric, the less light it can let into the room.
How to attach roller blinds to plastic windows
Depending on the size and weight of the blackout roller blind, it can be mounted on windows with or without drilling fasteners. They can be attached directly to the doors using special hooks or Velcro, or using self-tapping screws. Lightweight plastic, pleated and fabric curtains usually attach without drilling. And horizontal wooden or heavy fabric roller blinds need to be fastened with self-tapping screws or the walls must be drilled to install brackets. Heavy curtains with cornices need to be mounted on brackets to the wall, like regular curtains.
The material is called "blackout" because it blocks 100% of incoming light.
Note! When choosing fasteners, it is important to clarify for what type of windows they are intended - for opening sashes or fixed ones.
How to attach blackout roller blinds to plastic windows without drilling
Usually, the curtain kit for fastening includes screws, fasteners, fishing line for guides, and tensioners. They come immediately complete with curtains for free.
This applies not only to black, but white, pink, colored, any - they are all light-protective.
Important! You can install a blackout roller blind with your own hands. You don't have to be a master to do this. All you need is a tool and you need to read the instructions carefully. When working, be careful not to damage the plastic.
As a rule, lightweight curtains are hung at home, which are hung using special fasteners directly on the frame without drilling.
Blackout roller blinds regulate the natural outside light entering the home.
If you have a not very heavy curtain up to 1 m wide, then it can be secured without drilling. It is better to mount roller blinds with tubes with a diameter of 25 mm on self-tapping screws directly into the window opening or above it.
Not too heavy curtains are secured using special fasteners with Velcro, this is done as follows:
- degrease the surfaces, apply Velcro or special sticky plastic fasteners for curtains;
- snap fasteners;
- insert the chain mechanism of the curtains and the plugs into the pipe, placing the control mechanism for lifting the roller blinds on the side convenient for you;
- check that the open part of the tube is pointing straight down;
- connect the curtain tube fastenings to the fastening mechanism on the window;
- check that everything is working properly and remove the curtain, allowing the adhesive fasteners to grip well without loading;
- then after a few hours, finally install the curtain.
The added insulation helps insulate the windows, potentially lowering your heating bill.
If you have a window with opening swing doors, it is better to hang the curtain on brackets. The most convenient way to do this is with the help of special plastic brackets for roller blinds. The mounting sequence is similar to that described above - first attach the brackets and click them, then install the curtain.
Such curtains serve as a filter for external light and create a comfortable feeling in the room.
What are they?
Their name comes from English and means “to darken.” In fact, that's what they do. They are made from special materials and using special technologies that help absorb all or almost all light from the street.
Light-proof curtains were created thanks to the Finnish white nights, when in June even at midnight it is as bright as day. However, subsequently they began to be used in many countries around the world, both in homes and in office spaces.
There is nothing wrong with the sun's rays illuminating the rooms, but in the summer, when the dawn is very early, and this light also increases the heat, you want to shade the bedroom so that you can get some more sleep on the weekend. That’s when a set of curtains that can cope with these problems comes in handy.
It is not uncommon for offices to be located in multi-storey buildings with huge windows through which the sultry Sun can shine. This heat will interfere with work and negatively affect performance and productivity. These curtains will help save your office from excessive brightness and heat.
How to attach a roller blind with drilling
For fastening with drilling, you will need a tool: drill, level, screwdriver/screwdriver.
Important! There are several options for mounting with drilling - to a window opening or walls, or to the ceiling. It is necessary to determine as accurately as possible the location of drilling holes for the subsequent screwing in of screws.
On hot days, thick curtains will provide the desired coolness in any room.
Sequence of fastening with drilling holes:
- Check the installation location of the fastening parts. To do this, you will need to stick double-sided tape on the back of the fasteners. Then assemble the structure and attach it to the window frame in the same way that it will be secured. Glue the mounted elements with tape and remove the tube with the curtain.
- Install the guide lines, secure the ends of the guide threads. Thread the end of the fishing line into the hole and carefully secure it with a knot.
- Drill holes with a drill and install brackets.
- Install the tube with the curtain, check the ease of operation of the curtain folding mechanism.
They are easy to install and use, making them a reliable, stylish way to control room lighting in your home.
Characteristics
What are they?
Curtains made of blackout fabric for plastic windows are presented by manufacturers in various variations.
- Roman. Laconic folds in tandem with a simplified control system are significant advantages. It is interesting to combine them with curtains in the hall or living room.
- Pleated. Using them in the interior is an ideal way to decorate arched windows. Any window openings with non-standard configurations do not lose their exclusivity with blackout pleats.
- Japanese. This option allows you to give the room an oriental character, filling it with ethnic flavor and exotic traditions. The ideal area for using Japanese design is large or panoramic windows. They subtly emphasize bright design ideas without losing sight of their functional purpose.
- Rolled. Universal in style. Country, classicism, oriental motifs - all styles accept blackout canvases, without drawing undue attention to themselves and elegantly complementing the decoration of the room.
Light filter curtains come in different designs, expanding the area of their application.
Controlling blackout roller blinds
The curtain control mechanism is simple and convenient. To fix roller blinds in any position, raise or lower, you need to pull the cord or chain.
The reflective coating of the Blackout curtain allows you to achieve the required level of shading.
Remote control from the remote control is possible. Such systems use an electric drive and a built-in battery. No expensive cable required. This type of control is chosen for panoramic windows or in rooms with a large number of windows.
From which manufacturer is it better to buy roller blinds?
The difference between brands and production is significant. The quality of the lifting mechanism is important, whether it will work for a long time and whether the lifting of the curtain will be silent. The quality of the curtain material is also very important.
According to the rating, the following manufacturers are noted:
- Garden – high quality products with original design, large sizes available, low prices;
- Isotra – especially large assortment, LED lighting, easy installation;
- Comfort – high quality products, practical and easy to use, very low prices;
- Escar is an excellent option for decor connoisseurs, a variety of fabric colors, convenient fastening;
- Delfa - will delight aesthetes, large assortment, easy installation, rich color palette, cheaper than analogues.
For those who want to combine an attractive window design with the ability to completely block out natural light, fabric blinds are the ideal solution.
Also leaders in the production of blackout curtains are manufacturers from Germany, Holland, Sweden, and Belgium.
Blackout roller blinds are an ideal choice for darkening windows and decorating the interior. A huge selection of materials differing in density, color, pattern and texture allows you to choose blooming opaque and impenetrable roller blinds taking into account your preferences. They are the most modern window accessories to protect from light and go well with different interiors.
Blackouts are suitable for absolutely all rooms of the house. Curtains will decorate the interior of any room; it is important to choose the right one.
Complete set, installation, assembly
Read about: fabric roller blinds for windows: care and important nuances of a good choice.
Blackout curtains are equipped with special strips with guides. This technologically advanced design eliminates the appearance of side gaps and sagging of the woven fiber. The fabric is fixed on a shaft, which is placed above the window opening. If desired, you can open the window opening; just roll the canvas into a neat roll.
The design features of products are divided into two types:
- Open, i.e. the roller with the canvas is not equipped with a protective box, which often serves a more decorative function. An open design is a simple but attractive option.
- The closed version involves rolling up the blackout roll inside the box itself. The different color palette of the box attracts buyers seeking to create a harmonious image of the interior.