Roller window blinds are all based on fabric or material attached to a tubular roller
mechanism. They include: Standard roller window blind - free hanging blind with wood or
metal roller using a variety of fabrics for solar screening or decorative
purpose; Blackout window blinds; Cassette window blinds - blinds with rollers in head box,
side and bottom channels. Primary use as dim-out blinds, or solar screening or
insect screening. The types of mechanism for roller window blinds are:
Wood spring roller window blind - traditional check action spring mechanism inserted into
wood roller tube. Diameter of roller and size of spring increase with width.
Maximum drop determined by size of spring.
SPONSORED LINKS
Metal spring roller window blind - as above, except using steel or aluminium roller tube.
Friction roller window blind - a friction mechanism or clutch unit inserted into an
aluminium tube, operated by bead or cord control on endless loop for precise
positioning. Maximum drop determined by weight of cloth (mechanism sometimes
referred to as a sidewinder or ball chain roller).
Flange end roller wind blind - spool inserted into steel or aluminium tube. Gravity drop
operated by cord or tape and cleat.
Fibre roller window blind - check action spring or friction mechanism fitted into a roller
tube made from compressed and glued wood fibres - produced in standard sizes
only. Usually DIY or mail order supply. Not recommended for commercial use.
Ballrace roller window blind - as metal spring roller, except action mechanism uses
encased ball bearings instead of gravity drop pawls. Aluminium or steel rollers
can also be fitted with gear handle operation or electric motors.
Pleated Window Blinds
A pleated window blind could be described as a venetian window blind with pleated fabric
instead of slats, giving a softer effect. The pleated fabric, usually in 25mm
pleats, is attached with double sided tape (or similar) to a headrail at the
top and to a bottom rail. With a standard free-hanging window blind, it is opened by
pulling the lift cords, the bottom rail being raised towards the top rail
causing a concertina effect as it retracts. The lift cords pass through a cord
lock, thus enabling the window blind to be held at any height. Fabrics range from
translucent to opaque and blackout. They are either plain or patterned
(including Jacquard or multi-coloured). Materials are polyester and
cellulose-impregnated paper. Reflective metalised finishes to the external
face, flame retardant and Scotchguard treatments are available.
Venetian Window Blinds
Venetian window blinds consist of horizontal, overlapping slats which are
generally either made of aluminium or timber. The slats are suspended from a headrail and supported by ladder braid or ladder tape. Aluminium slats, for
internal use, are available in 15mm or 16mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm and 90mm widths.
Aluminium slats are also produced in 65mm and 80mm widths primarily for
external use but can also be used internally. Timber slats are available in
25mm and 50mm widths. Types of Venetian Window Blind include:
Micro window blinds - a term used to describe aluminium slat venetian
window blinds using
15mm or 16mm wide slat.
Mini window blinds - a term used to describe aluminium or timber slat venetian
blinds using 25mm wide slat. Timber slat is always plain but aluminium can be
plain or perforated.
Dual control - dual control window blinds have a cord to raise and lower the blind
and either a cord or rod to tilt the slats.
Mono control - mono control window blinds have a cord or rod which both raises and
lowers the blind and tilts the slats.
Electric control - electric operation is now available for venetian window blinds
of all slat sizes. The motor is located in the headrail.
Audio visual - provides room darkening effect by increased slat overlap and
has channelling to both sides plus top and bottom.
Between glazing - special fittings are available allowing window blinds to be
installed between glazing with remote control facility (see mid-pane blind).
Perforated - aluminium slat available in all slat widths except micro,
provides sun screening protection without eliminating the external view.
LEADING UK WINDOW BLIND SUPPLIERS
Blindtrack Services Ltd, based in
Carpenders Park, Hertfordshire, sells window blinds of all types through its
website. There are sections for: Hand Drawn Curtain Tracks, Cord Operated
Curtain Tracks, Decorative Curtain Poles, Electric Curtain Tracks, Roman Blind
Systems, Sliding Panel Systems, Rolller Blind Systems, Vertical Blind Systems,
and Venetian Blind Systems.
Interior Power: Window
Blinds. Interior Power, based in
Surrey UK, supply fully installed made to measure blinds to commercial and
residential customers in central London and Surrey. Blinds are sourced from
high quality European manufacturers including Silent Gliss, Luxaflex,
Eclipse, Decora, Sampson and Velux. Interior Power provide a free site
visit followed by a comprehensive free written quotation to all customers.
Click here
for an easy-to-use listing of leading UK suppliers of window blinds, provided by Archbone.
We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include manufacturers' specifications and CAD details: Barbour Compendium at www.barbourcompendium.co.uk, RIBA Product Selector Plus at ww.productselector.co.uk, ASC Bricsnet at www.ascinfo.co.uk, Building Products Index at www.bpindex.co.uk, British Board of Agrément at www.bbacerts.co.uk, British Standards Online at www.bsonline.bsi-global.com.
Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd. It is financed only by Google advertising; no payment is received from included websites.