Roller blinds (rollers) are a worthy alternative to traditional curtains or blinds. Due to the ability to quite accurately regulate the light and heat flow, they are gaining increasing popularity despite the rather high price.
Roller blinds for plastic windows are a type of horizontal curtains, which is a structure that completely covers the glass surface
What are the advantages of roller blinds day-night
Roller blinds day and night compare favorably with other types of window decoration by the ability to smoothly regulate the daylight entering the room. They take up minimal space and are often mounted directly on the frame.
Recently, many interesting and improved models have appeared, thanks to which you can provide an additional feeling of comfort in any space.
In addition, their strengths are:
- multifunctionality - four modes of use are provided (day, night, open, closed);
- ease of care - special impregnation prevents dust from settling, the fabric material does not require washing, if necessary, you can additionally wipe the fabric with a damp sponge;
- a large selection of textures and colors, allowing these curtains to be used in almost any room;
- ease of installation - using the instructions, you can attach the curtain to the window with your own hands without any problems;
- ease of operation thanks to a simple and reliable mechanism;
- the ability to remotely control the operation of the curtains - installing an electric drive will not take much time, but will increase the total cost of the purchase;
- relatively low cost - unlike the first models, the prices for curtains sold today are very affordable.
Day-Night roller blinds are becoming increasingly popular due to their original design, which can regulate the penetration of light.
One of the biggest disadvantages of roller structures is the need to take careful measurements of each sash. As a rule, curtains are sold up to 300 cm wide, but taking into account the fact that the windows in modern apartments are multi-leaf, instead of one wide curtain you will have to order several narrow ones and fix them on each sash.
The mechanisms by which roller blinds are controlled are similar to those used to control conventional roller blinds, but their quality and variety are much greater.
Note! Day-night roller blinds perform the functions of both tulle and curtains. Their use is especially justified in small rooms, where other window design options will eat up the usable space of the room.
Line and torso
A fishing line or “string” is stretched between two support points. There are several ways to attach a day and night roller blind to a fishing line:
- Use clothespins or colorful clips. With one end of the clothespin you need to fix the edge of the curtain, and with the other edge, use a special hook or ring to fix it on the fishing line.
- Sew loops for curtains. If you sew loops along the entire length of the fabric in advance and insert fishing line into them, it is easy to fix the curtain. As a rule, loops are stitched from the wrong side.
Advantages:
- Aesthetic appearance.
- Low cost.
- Practicality.
Flaws:
- The line can be easily torn off.
Operating principle of day-night curtains
The curtain control mechanism allows you to wind two parallel layers of dense fabric containing alternating horizontal transparent and opaque stripes onto the shaft. Depending on how much they overlap each other, the brightness of the light flux changes. The rotation of the shaft and, accordingly, the throughput of the curtain is ensured by a chain mechanism.
Unlike conventional ones, such curtains are ergonomic, easy to use, and do not require washing or major cleaning.
In the “day” position, the transparent stripes of both layers are opposite each other and transmit maximum light, and in the “night” position they are completely covered by light-proof areas. If the light and dark stripes partially overlap, then the required level of illumination is established in the room from twilight to dim daylight.
Note! Curtains of different models and manufacturers may have their own design features. Therefore, before assembling them and proceeding with fastening, you should carefully read the instructions.
Varieties of such curtains
When choosing a type of double roller blind, you should take into account the size of the room, its design features and cost. There are several classifications of day-night curtains. For example, depending on the size, there are two types of roller blinds:
- Standard - traditionally used for mounting small windows on casements in kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and halls. As a rule, their width does not exceed 1.8 m.
- Lux is the best option for shading large windows in offices, industrial premises, and office centers. The width of such curtains can reach 3 m.
In fact, they can be called an improved model of blinds with the ability to regulate light.
Below are the most popular varieties of these systems, depending on the design features of their manufacture.
They were developed specifically to cover plastic windows, but at this stage there are developments for wooden windows of various shapes.
Open
These are the most common and easiest to manufacture systems. They are an aluminum shaft onto which a roll of curtain fabric is wound with two parallel tapes. Adjustment of the length of the fabric, its fixation and the degree of overlap of the stripes is regulated using a chain.
"Zebra" is a double blinds consisting of horizontal stripes that alternate with each other.
Closed
They differ from open ones by the presence of a plastic box covering the shaft with wound fabric. This provides, on the one hand, additional protection for the panel and shaft, and on the other, the appearance of the window design becomes more aesthetically pleasing.
If the transparent stripes on the two canvases coincide, the room will be very light, and if the opaque stripes completely cover the transparent ones, there will be absolute darkness.
By type of control
The vast majority of installed curtains have intuitive manual control. Even a child can handle the chain that regulates the opening and closing of the curtains. If desired, you can install a remote control system for the operation of the mechanism and adjust the level of illumination using the remote control. The popularity of using an electric drive is growing every year.
When adjusting the canvases, you can get other lighting options due to the fact that more compact strips alternate with more transparent ones.
Note! The electric motors installed on the curtains are powered by built-in batteries, which allows for remote control without laying cables, installing additional sockets or carrying out any other electrical work.
Cassette
Cassette roller blinds are a type of closed blinds. In addition to a plastic box to protect the shaft, they are equipped with side profiles (guides) for the fabric. This ensures that the curtain fits as tightly as possible to the window. This is especially in demand on opening sashes, which are installed at an angle in ventilation mode.
The option provides a durable protective plastic box, which additionally protects the roller shutter from dust and also provides an aesthetic effect.
What are they made of
The roller blind material must meet a number of specific requirements. The canvas should not fade, absorb odors and moisture. In addition, special impregnations ensure its antistatic and dust-repellent properties. Very often jacquard fabrics are used as the starting material.
One of the main practical advantages of Day-Night roller blinds is that they are made from environmentally friendly materials that have a special repellent impregnation based on Teflon.
Initially, polyester was most often used for these curtains in combination with various impregnations. Today you can find such curtains based on natural fabrics.
Plastic clamps
A plastic clip is a more modern way of attaching roller blinds. When installing such clamps, you should make sure that they can support the weight of the fabric and do not clamp the fabric too tightly, otherwise the teeth of the clamp may simply damage it. Thanks to the plastic clips, the fabric is securely fastened and can slide smoothly and quietly along the rod.
Advantages:
- Beautiful, modern, wide variety of colors and sizes.
- Fixed securely.
- Suitable for different types of cornices.
- Low cost.
Flaws:
- They often break.
- Can't withstand heavy fabrics.
How to choose the right curtains
When choosing double roller blinds that are both transparent and thick, you should, first of all, take into account the size and design features of the window. In addition, it is advisable to take into account:
- purpose of the premises;
- general style of the room;
- combination of warm and cold colors in the interior.
Unlike monumental curtains, such a roller blind weighs very little.
Note! Both excess and lack of sunlight have an extremely adverse effect on performance. They result in frequent headaches, fatigue, and blurred vision. Therefore, it is extremely important to be able to set the optimal light conditions in the room.
The colors from which roller blinds are made are not limited in their range.
Popular color schemes for unique sun protection products
Do not forget that curtains in a room should not only protect from the sun, but also please the eye. Achieving a harmonious combination of the decorative design of curtains with other interior items is possible only with the correct selection of the color of the sun filter.
- For small rooms, curtains in the color of the walls or as close as possible to the main shade used in the decor are suitable. But if the room is very long and the window is located on the narrowest wall, it is better to give preference to bright materials. This will not add space, but it will make the room more harmonious and cozy.
- Positive reviews speak in favor of contrasting curtains. True, this option is applicable only in spacious rooms. If you introduce several supporting parts into the interior to maintain the color scheme of the curtains, the room will look very stylish.
- Day-night roller blinds have a striped pattern and combine fabrics of different textures. The introduction of a pattern or ornament will overload the image.
Related article: Bedroom design in a country house: layout, lighting, decor (photo)
You can follow the recommendations of professionals and use one of the following ideas, which are based on the functional purpose of the room:
- Calm but rich shades of green, blue, pink, and orange are suitable for the kitchen.
- Mint, aquamarine, beige and lavender look harmonious in the bedroom. For a more glamorous interior, coffee, wine, and purple colors are suitable.
- It is better to decorate the living room with noble metallic, pastel or chocolate colors.
The main thing to remember is that the shades of the curtains should be supported by several elements from the main decor.
Attaching curtains day-night (on a window, wall or ceiling)
Depending on the size of the window, the distance to the ceiling, and the presence of opening sashes, the following is used as a base for attaching the curtain:
- A double-glazed window frame is the simplest and most common option for residential buildings. Many novice home craftsmen are attracted to this mounting option due to its minimal set of tools and consumables. Double-sided tape can be used to secure the curtains. Although, many users believe that it is much more reliable to secure it with small self-tapping screws and deliberately sacrifice the tightness of one chamber of the double-glazed window.
- Wall – used for attaching large and heavy curtains. In this case, you won’t be able to do without a drill or hammer drill. You can fix the curtain on the wall only if there is a supply of free space above the window opening, and the window or sash is blind.
- The ceiling is another place to attach heavy curtains for non-opening windows. A similar fastening option is used when curtaining industrial and office premises.
One of the most advantageous ways to “play along” with existing interior tones is the possibility of alternating the colors of zebra stripes.
For self-tapping screws
Fastening roller blinds with self-tapping screws is the main method of installing roller blinds. Self-tapping screws allow you to securely fix the curtains and prevent them from falling and breaking. This method is good for attaching both heavy and light roller blinds.
Advantages:
- Fixed securely.
- Prevent curtains from falling and sliding.
Flaws:
- The only drawback of this fastening method is the need to drill holes for the dowels. The presence of holes can spoil the appearance of the room.
How to care for curtains day and night
Manufacturers of day-night roller blinds claim that their products require minimal care, since the selection of raw materials and pre-treatment of the fabric minimize the likelihood of contamination. As a preventative cleaning, it is recommended to periodically use a dry brush or damp sponge with soapy water to remove dust. There is no need to wash the fabric. A well-installed curtain will serve faithfully for many years.
It is important to tastefully choose combinations of the right colors that will help create an indescribable atmosphere in any place.
Note! It is strictly not recommended to use various chemically active agents and preparations to clean curtain fabric day and night.
Exploitation
There are very few tips.
- Use detergents that do not contain chlorine or acids for cleaning. If the design allows you to remove the curtain for washing, then a thorough rinsing and drying is necessary after which no folds are formed.
- It is better not to vacuum clean (or use special attachments), but to wipe with a dry cloth. Wash with a cotton cloth. Apply a soap solution to heavily soiled areas for a while. To remove small stains, it is better to use an eraser.
- In the kitchen, it is better to roll the rolls while cooking to avoid possible contamination.
That's all.
The best models of roller blinds day-night
Among the popular models of day-night roller blinds, experts note:
- Plain curtains (“Plain”, “Frost”) - these models evenly diffuse daylight and are distinguished by high-quality fabric impregnation, which provides reliable protection from dust and the accumulation of static electricity.
- “Zebra” is a classic representative of day-night systems. Sold in a wide range of colors and can be equipped with an electric drive. In the cassette version it fits as tightly as possible to the frame.
- “Nostalgia” is an original multi-color curtain, characterized by high quality fabric and actuator.
- “COMFORT Kansas” - this curtain is made of 100% polyester and provides guaranteed protection from bright light and prying eyes. Can be used both to protect the entire window opening, and for placement on individual sashes.
The sizes can be selected according to the wishes of the buyer, and the curtains themselves can be decorated with any pattern.
With double-sided tape
If you don't want to drill into walls, ceilings or other surfaces, you can use double-sided drill bits. In this case, it is not the curtain itself that is attached with double-sided tape, but the fasteners. Before using this method, you must carefully prepare the mounting location - remove dirt, dust and carefully degrease the area where it will be installed. Only after this can you paste a layer of double-sided tape and secure the bracket.
Advantages:
- No need to drill holes.
Flaws:
- Only light tissues are fixed.
