The presence of a door places increased demands on the functionality of curtains. Access to the balcony should have as few obstacles as possible. Balcony door blinds combine beauty and practicality. They can be a good compromise. Let's consider the options for these designs and what is better to choose.
Features and Benefits
Blinds are rarely associated with home warmth and comfort. It is more common to see this type of curtains in office spaces. This was the case several decades ago, but modern models are diverse. This allows you to choose an item to match the color and mood of the interior, as well as personal preferences.
Blinds were created to protect rooms from the sun and prying eyes. They consist of separate plates (lamellas) connected to each other by a strong thread. Today, an aesthetic one has been added to the practical task. Windows can be decorated with blinds only or combined with curtains. In the first case, choose devices with decorative slats that not only protect from the sun, but also decorate the room. In the second case, a light curtain is responsible for aesthetics, and blinds perform a protective function.
Blinds for a balcony door have advantages compared to standard curtains:
- Maximum protection from sun rays. In terms of protection from bright light, blinds can be compared with thick curtains or even surpass them.
- Greater access of oxygen. The pass-through design allows more air to flow inside. Regular curtains, especially those made of thick fabric, are an obstacle to air circulation.
- Space saving. Blinds fit more tightly to the frame, so they take up less space at the door and on the windowsill.
- Ability to adjust the intensity of light penetration. Thanks to the panels rotating around their axis, the angle of inclination changes. This allows you to choose the degree of illumination of the room.
- Easy to install. You can install the structure yourself with simple tools.
- Low maintenance requirements. Unlike curtains, most types of blinds do not require washing. The plates are wiped with a cloth or a special brush.
- Versatility. Thanks to a large selection of models, blinds can fit into almost any interior. The exception is the Baroque style with its pomp and tendency to excess.
- Convenience of using the balcony door. Every time you visit the loggia, the curtains need to be moved to the side and then straightened again. This causes inconvenience, and the curtain wears out quickly. Blinds attached to the door leaf solve this problem.
Curtain for the bedroom: design rules
The legacy of previous years of development of architecture and construction is the balcony door in a residential area. If its location in the kitchen and living room is considered acceptable, then access to the balcony from the bedroom area causes a lot of inconvenience. To brighten up the interior dissonance a little, it is recommended to choose a curtain.
The situation is complicated by the presence of heating radiators under the window unit. Using a long curtain is inappropriate; a roller blind will do. However, it is not cozy and requires a certain style in the interior. Let's consider several criteria and rules for selecting curtains for the bedroom:
Cozy, bright bedroom
- Avoid pomp and large volume . If you create airiness in the window area, this will not only visually reduce the size of the bedroom, but will significantly impede movement. Exiting to the balcony will be difficult, which is not recommended. It is better to choose light and thin materials, without the additional use of asymmetrical compositions.
- Add practicality . Curtains in the bedroom play not only a decorative role, but are used from a practical point of view. In order for the fabric not to transmit light, it must be dense and dark. To ensure that the product is not subject to frequent contamination, its material must be universal.
- Quick release . Curtains located on the balcony door in the bedroom come into contact with the inhabitants of the house much more often than other textile items in the house. Make sure that the material is easy to clean and can be quickly removed from the curtain rod for washing.
- Material . The raw materials for making curtains for the balcony door should not be exposed to moisture. The specified place in the apartment is considered vulnerable to the penetration of dampness and air, especially if the balcony is not glazed from the inside.
Advice It is better to avoid bright colors for the bedroom, because this is a place for privacy, relaxation and tranquility. Choose blue, light green, sand, olive, beige colors. It is appropriate to combine several shades at once that will be present in the palette of the bedroom interior.
The best materials to choose from are blinds, thick linen curtains or organza tulle. A combination of several types would also be appropriate - you can hang blinds on the balcony door, on top of which you can place light tulle. A comfortable lambrequin that is not too voluminous will also fit well into a classic bedroom setting.
For ease of use, long curtains can be secured with tiebacks: wide ribbons, strips of fabric, and magnetic tapes.
Japanese curtains will fit well into a bedroom with a large opening.
It is better to avoid bright colors for the bedroom
If the balcony door does not have additional windows, this greatly simplifies the situation. In this case, you can use a thread curtain - muslin. It will not help hide the room from sunlight, but it will look great in the bedroom, creating coziness and romance.
Kinds
According to the location of the panels, sun protection devices are:
- Vertical - have long been established in offices, but have also found application in residential buildings thanks to variations in color, material, and patterns. The structure consists of a cornice (plastic or aluminum), slats, weights, and runners. The mechanism is controlled using a plastic chain: the doors rotate in different directions, and the canvas can be completely moved to one side. For a balcony opening, choose a combination of a long leaf for the door and a short one for the window. The cornice is attached to the ceiling or wall.
- Horizontal - a more suitable model for a balcony block. The design can be mounted on a window frame, which provides much more convenience when opening and closing doors and windows. To go out onto the loggia you don’t need to move the curtain to the side. Horizontal slats (plastic, aluminum, wood) rotate up and down, and the entire canvas is rolled up if necessary. Often included are limiters that secure the structure from below. Thanks to this, the canvas does not dangle when ventilating or when the window is tilted. Limiters can be magnetic or plastic.
Blinds also include roller blinds for the balcony door. They have all the advantages of horizontal blinds. They are a canvas with a roller and a control chain. Once assembled, the fabric is wound onto a roller. The degree of lowering is adjustable: you can close the entire opening or partially. Roller blinds are attached to the wall, ceiling, frame. The last option is the most preferable, since it allows you to save space by the window.
The canvas has different colors and patterns, but rarely the opening is decorated only with roller blinds. Thin curtains are selected for them.
There is another type - pleated. Such products consist of two profiles, which are mounted on guides at the top and bottom of the frame, and a folded fabric is fixed between them. Unlike the models described above, the pleated can be folded not only up, but also down. The canvas moves freely and is fixed in any part of the window.
Photo: roller blinds on the balcony
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Colors
The color of the lamellas practically does not depend on the material from which they are made. Modern technologies make it possible to add any color or imitation of textures. Plastic can be painted to resemble wood, and wooden plates can be white. The fabric color options are endless.
In the first case, the tone of the curtains should differ by several shades. This calm design is suitable for children's rooms, bedrooms, and lounges. In the second case, it is important not to overdo it, otherwise it will be uncomfortable to be in the room.
Bright blinds should complement other items in the interior of the same color: chandelier, upholstery, paintings. Then the overall impression of the room will be harmonious.
Design and drawings
Roller shutters, decorated with spectacular and original designs, transform the loggia and give it uniqueness.
Flowers and vegetation
Plant and floral motifs form a very delicate and sophisticated design. They add romanticism to the atmosphere of the balcony and create a spring-summer mood. When designing a window with curtains with such a print, first of all you need to pay attention to the size of the balcony or loggia, since large flowers will be more appropriate in a spacious room.
The photo shows a balcony with roller blinds decorated with designs in the form of flowers.
Stripes
A simple, but at the same time very interesting solution. This print is distinguished not only by its aesthetic appeal, but also has the ability to visually adjust the space, making it taller or wider.
Patterns and ornaments
Loggias add contrast and visual interest. Various intricate patterns and ornaments can transform even the most faceless room.
With photo printing
One of the most original design solutions. Photo printing on roller blinds allows you to make your interior bright, colorful and give it a unique and special look. Various images of animals, natural landscapes or cities determine the mood and set a unique, personal style.
How to choose
Manufacturers of blinds offer a wide range of products that differ in shape, material, color, and control method. Everyone can choose the option that suits them in terms of configuration and cost. It is important that the model harmonizes with the overall space and does not look like an alien element.
For a balcony block, the best option is roller blinds or horizontal blinds on the door. They are compact and do not create obstacles to access to the loggia. A variety of colors allows you to choose a canvas for any room. Roller blinds in the living room or bedroom can be complemented with curtains. It is better not to hang curtains, so as not to “weight down” the window opening.
Interesting! The option of installing blinds inside a double-glazed window is popular. In this case, the control mechanism is brought out.
Lightproofness of roller blinds
Rolled fabrics are divided into several types based on light transmittance:
- Translucent. They have a fairly low density and transmit light well. As a rule, they are more often used as room decor rather than for sun protection.
- Reflective. Thanks to special impregnation, they reflect ultraviolet rays. These models are especially suitable for balconies located on the south side.
- Scattering. They create a slight darkening effect and softly diffuse the light passing through them.
- Day night (zebra). Very popular models. Alternating dense and transparent stripes make it very convenient to adjust the degree of lighting on the loggia and the adjacent room, such as the kitchen, bedroom or living room.
- Complete sun protection. They provide maximum darkness and completely block out sunlight.
In the photo there are white day-night roller blinds on the loggia.
Materials
Depending on the material of the slats, blinds are divided into:
- Aluminum - inexpensive and practical, resistant to external influences. Do not fade over time. Thin metal panels can become deformed under mechanical stress.
- Plastic is the most affordable and common material. From excess ultraviolet radiation, plastic lamellas become fragile and can break.
- Fabric curtains can fully replace curtains due to the decorative nature of the panels. They are presented in different colors, plain and patterned. The fabric used is special with protective impregnation, which prevents dust from being absorbed and also protects against fading. Most often, fabric blinds are made of polyester.
How to install it yourself
It is easy to install the product yourself. It does not take much time and does not require special skills. Many manufacturers include detailed instructions and also include the necessary fasteners.
Let's consider the stages of installing horizontal blinds on a frame:
- Prepare tools: drill, screwdriver.
- Attach the blind rod to the top of the frame and mark where to drill.
- Screw the brackets. To install the cornices of vertical blinds, it is rational to use construction dowels, which are driven in with a special gun.
- We attach the cornice.
- On the lower part of the frame, under the glazing beads, mark the exit points of the fishing line threaded through the slats of the blinds, and drill the same neat holes.
- Remove the plugs from the ends of the planks.
- We remove another round plug, under which there is a unit.
- Remove the bottom bar by untying the two knots.
- We remove excess plates from below if the blinds are too long.
- We attach a plastic rotating mechanism (transparent stick) to the hook.
- Insert the bottom bar and cut off the protruding threads.
- We insert all the pulled out plugs.
- Take a plastic retainer.
- We make markings, drill holes, and fasten the fastener with a screw.
- We fasten the clamp on the other side.
- We insert the bottom bar into the clamps.
- The ends of the fishing line are inserted into the plugs, and the plugs are inserted into the holes in the frame, resulting in tension in the fishing line.
- We check the functionality.
Blinds with vertical slats are attached using a similar technology. Only the mounting location is not the frame, but the wall or ceiling.
Video instructions for installing blinds without drilling:
Blinds for windows and doors: photos and selection rules
Blinds are modern window devices for protecting living spaces from bright sunlight. Currently, blinds are very popular. There are a lot of types of blinds and they all differ in the way they are closed and positioned, as well as in the color scheme. But it is difficult for an ordinary person to choose blinds for his home from such a variety. And it is precisely the huge choice that requires understanding which models are suitable for achieving goals in each individual case.
What are blinds for windows and doors made of?
Traditional blinds consist of several parts:
- Holding frame (plastic or metal narrow profile);
- Lamellas (sometimes can be reversible);
- Lifting mechanism;
- Lambrequin (decorative insert that covers the upper stop frame);
- Adjustment hook (sometimes supplemented with a rope tension mechanism).
The so-called roller blinds allow you not only to adjust the tilt of the lambrequin (reducing or increasing the amount of light passed through), but also to be pulled vertically upward, thereby completely opening access to the window. According to their purpose, they may well replace curtains, although this is usually done exclusively in office premises, where the overall interior design is made in a simple style.
Diagram of the horizontal blinds mechanism
There are other designs of blinds, which, for example, are mounted on the most ordinary Velcro. In such variations, the slats are made of thin wood or paper (papyrus, bamboo cutting). It all looks quite attractive, especially if the interior is made in the style of the late 19th century. This is the main advantage of blinds - there is always something to choose from, because they are made from a wide variety of materials.
Manufacturing materials
- Metal;
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
- Synthetic fabric;
- Paper;
- Tree;
- Leather;
Plus, they are available in many standard sizes, so they are suitable even for huge windows (although designers prefer to use a conventional layout).
Many models of blinds are made of plastic, aluminum, wood, and meet high-class standards
There are also so-called louvered interior doors. This is one of the best options for small apartments, where you just need to delimit space, but there is simply no room to install full swing doors (for example, at a corner joint where there are several openings).
Window blinds: types
Window blinds come in the following types:
- Venetian. Sometimes they are simply called horizontal. They are designed in such a way that a thin and invisible rope is stretched between each lamella. It is thanks to it that the blinds can be moved to the side (like traditional porter curtains) and placed perpendicular to the window (providing maximum access to the sun's rays).
- Horizontal blinds. These options are considered the most popular, as they have the simplest design, are cheap and are universal. They can be easily mounted on a balcony or on a doorway.
- Pleated blinds. Visually similar to horizontal ones, but they simulate fabric with folds. There are no usual slats here. Blinds are a single piece that can be moved to the desired height.
- Dutch blinds. They are also a subspecies of horizontal ones, but they consist of a rigid frame and wide wraparound slats. They have a non-lifting mechanism.
- Rolled. Ordinary blinds, but the slats do not move to the side or up, but are rolled into a roll thanks to a rope system.
This is only a short list of existing types of blinds, however, there are many more. Some manufacturers also produce so-called window ones, which are mounted specifically in the opening, and not attached to the window or around the perimeter. These can be placed on the outside of the house (and not inside). Their key difference is the presence of a reflective layer, which ensures coolness inside the room (up to 80 percent of the heat is retained).
Please note: Curtains for verandas, terraces and gazebos - types and design
Pleated blinds will create an atmosphere of aesthetic perfection in your home
All types of blinds are beautiful, so they are guaranteed to be a great addition to your interior design.
Fashionable blinds: roller blinds in the interior
A few words should be said separately about fashionable roller blinds, which can replace curtains. They are attached to a traditional cornice, which in the future will be covered with a lambrequin, and reach the very floor. Also, in width they are slightly larger than the window or doorway itself (in this case we are talking about horizontal varieties). They consist of wide slats. And due to the fact that their number is large, they are wound into a roll, and not just pulled on a rope. It is not recommended to place them in a children's room. But for a bedroom or hall, living room they will be just right!
Furniture blinds are a worthy alternative to traditional hinged cabinet doors
Due to the fact that they have a large area, they can be decorated with a mosaic pattern (can be ordered individually, according to the selected sketch). The most difficult thing with them is choosing the right height, although some models are collapsible. There you can independently adjust the desired height by removing several unnecessary slats or adding spare ones (also included in the kit).
Furniture blinds for closet
One of the first companies that was asked to choose furniture blinds was Rehau. Now dozens of other manufacturers have taken on this trend, because it is beautiful, profitable, and reliable. For the closet, it is recommended to choose vertical blinds, which can be supplemented with another paper layer. They are assembled and mounted in the same way - along the frame (guides). Sometimes manufacturers make a fence from tubes, thus preventing the slats from bending when using the doors. And the child will not get hurt by them.
The choice of blinds must be treated with due attention, having studied their properties, characteristics and features
Without a doubt, blinds are better than simple doors or even sliding mechanisms, because they save space (no need to worry about the doors moving freely) and allow you to create interesting compositions (combine blinds with lighting).
By the way, you can make blinds for furniture yourself. Now it’s not difficult to find instructions on how to make them from ordinary newspaper tubes. It will be a lot of work, but it will be worth it.
How to choose blinds yourself
When choosing blinds, it is recommended to seek help from a designer. After all, the most difficult thing is to choose their appearance. With the standard size, everything is much simpler - just measure the opening. If in the future they will be installed on windows, then ordinary or Pleated windows will be suitable for smaller ones, and horizontal ones for large ones. In this case, you can easily control the amount of light that enters the room. After all, blinds are used not only to hide from prying eyes.
If double-glazed windows are installed on the windows, you can even install blinds on the outside, which will serve as shutters. In this case, the color is selected based on the design of the house’s exterior decoration, and installation is carried out on a lambrequin, which is attached to the wall with dowels or anchors.
If the blinds will be used as a door, for example, on a balcony or loggia, then it is recommended to take those with Velcro. After all, in winter they will still have to be removed and a normal door installed.
Blinds: making the right choice (video)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rL85BSdyE4k
In terms of reliability, the best blinds are metal ones. But due to the weight of the structure, they are attached rigidly to a PVC profile or to the wall itself. Wooden or plastic are the best choice. Paper or fabric ones are suitable for a small window, but they cannot be called reliable (they will not be suitable if there are cats in the house, for example).
Blinds for windows (photo)
Photo ideas
When decorating a balcony door, you can move away from the traditional options with curtains and drapes and choose comfortable and modern blinds. They have many advantages, including a large selection of models. This makes them a universal way to protect a room from excessive light and ensure privacy.