We choose blinds for plastic windows. How to choose blinds? We choose the most practical and convenient.

Blinds represent a cornice with a built-in drive of mechanical or electronic control, with the help of which the plates move in the required direction. Chains and laces are used to adjust the slats.

Such structures are different types. They differ in the location of the plates, the material of manufacture.

Varieties

To date, there are twelve types of protection for windows, each of which has its positive and negative sides.

Vertical blind type

vertical

The plates are perpendicular to the floor. They are attached to the cornice, the plates are connected below with a chain. As a rule, vertical structures are resistant to moisture, dust does not accumulate. This type can be safely attributed to universal blinds, as it will suit any interior.

If the plates are fabric, then a weight is sewn at the bottom for stability. Plastic and aluminum do not need weighting. Lamels also happen and wooden, metal. Standard Width: 89, 100, 110 and 127 mm.

Model with horizontal slats

Horizontal

The design is a set of panels arranged horizontally. The lamellas are connected to each other with a twine suspended from the eaves.

Such blinds are internal (you can install both on the ceiling and on the wall or window sash from the inside) or inter-frame (they are mounted on the cornice between the window sashes).

Types of horizontal blinds

Horizontal types are:

• Aluminum. Standard width: 16, 26 and 35 mm. The advantages include:

1. a wide selection of colors;
2. high rate of rigidity;
3. well tolerate both high and low temperatures;
4. do not burn;
6. You can mount them in any room (even unheated);
7. they do not need special care (in order to clean stains and dust, it is not necessary to use special cleaning compounds).

• Wooden or Venetian views. The main production is from bamboo. Standard width: 25-30 mm. The positive aspects include: environmental friendliness and durability. Despite the advantages, there is a negative point - the high cost.

Wood window sun protection

• Faux wood. This type is an artificial lamella that imitates a real tree. Pros:

1. low cost;
2. will last more than a dozen years;
3. moisture resistant

• fabric types. The slats made of fabric have a standard width. Unlike aluminum and wooden options, fabric plates require careful maintenance, burn out over time, despite impregnation with protective agents. Fabric blinds are produced in two types:

1. first type: wound on a drum;
2. second type: folded using built-in plates.

Model with slats made of fabric

• plastic types. The standard lamella width is 25 and 50 mm. Advantages:

1. acceptable cost;
2. durability;
3. do not need special care;
4. resistant to moisture;
5. well tolerate both low and high temperatures;
6. can be mounted in any, even non-residential premises.

Roller blinds

With the help of a lifting mechanism with a latch, the fabric is wound onto a roller. The fabric is lowered to any height. Such curtains are especially relevant for a small-sized room. For the manufacture of polyester, cotton or fiberglass.

You can install them both on the window opening, on the wall, and on the ceiling and roof.

Roller blinds fixed in the window opening

Roller blinds can be:

• simple without guides;
• with special guides.

Curtains can be operated with an electric drive, chain / cord or with a spring mechanism.

Pleated

This variant has appeared quite recently. Pleated combines the advantages of pleated fabric and horizontal blinds. The fabric is collected in the form of an accordion. You can control the canvas with an electric drive, or with a spring mechanism.

This type allows you to beautifully design non-standard windows.

Projects with electric drive

Such models were specially designed for cases when manually (for some reason) it is impossible to open the curtains. Models with electric drive are not only convenient to use, but also have an attractive appearance. AT recent times they are gaining popularity.

You can attach them to the wall, to the window opening or to the ceiling. Due to the installed electric drive, you can tear off / close or turn to any angle.

With such curtains, you do not need to interrupt your rest if there is a remote control nearby

In addition to the above varieties, there are also:

• Roman blinds (most often they are made of fabric, less often of bamboo / straw);
• attic (most often used in cases where it is necessary to install blinds at an angle);
• protective (installed in non-residential premises, metal is most often used for manufacturing);
• archery (designed for windows in the form of an arch, fasten them to the wall / ceiling);
• interframe (a kind of horizontal blinds designed for wooden windows).

What are lamellas made of?

Currently, blinds are made from:

• aluminum;
• plastic;
• nonwoven fabric;
• fabrics;
• jacquard;
• wood fibers;
• wood.

Each of them has its own characteristics.

Aluminum

For the manufacture of such blinds, perforated aluminum is used, so that the product will last for more than a dozen years.

Aluminum lamellas are characterized by a high rate of rigidity, so they are most often used in the design of complex window openings. They do not need special care, it is enough to wipe them with a dry cloth once every three months. Less often, once a year, it should be wiped with a damp sponge.

You can install such a structure in any room (heated / not heated).

This model has aluminum fins.

Plastic

Plastic lamellas are able to completely darken the room. They are used most often for the bathroom and toilet. Like aluminum, plastic plates are resistant to moisture, are not afraid of temperature changes and do not burn, and they also do not need special care.

Concerning colors, then the construction market today offers lamellas different colors and shades, so choosing the right color for the interior will not be difficult.

Nonwovens

These types of blinds are most often used for rooms with a high level of humidity and air pollution. They are mainly installed in non-residential premises. Their main advantage is low price.

woven fabric

To date, there are many different options for fabric lamellas, but the most popular option is woven fabric. Positive sides such material: long service life, easy maintenance, low price. Unlike many options, woven blinds do not fade.

Due to special impregnation, the material has a water and dirt-repellent effect.

Jacquard

Made from high quality polyester. Such blinds are characterized by a textured pattern that looks great in any room.

Due to special impregnation, the strips have the desired rigidity and dust-repellent effect. They are installed mainly in residential areas.

jacquard collection

Wood fibers

Outwardly, they are similar to bamboo counterparts, so they are often called that and are called. Wood lamellas do not need special care, they have a long service life.

Natural bamboo window curtains

Control systems

Mechanical control is:

• spring-inertial (most often used for weighty lamellas and is based on the use of spring energy, which is installed inside the shaft);
• rope (most often used for light weight blinds);
• cable.

Electrical control

Blinds are controlled by an electric drive, which is located in the body of the eaves. You can control it with a fixed/remote control.

What to consider when choosing?

When choosing blinds, consider:

• the place where they will be located (in a residential or non-residential premises);
• appearance (the chosen option should be in harmony with the stele in which the room is decorated);
• price.

The blinds are pretty long history. Translated from French, "jalousie" means "jealousy." This is due to the fact that the East was characterized by windows covered with wooden planks, which let in enough light, but hid from prying eyes women who walked at home without a veil.

Blinds allow you to perfectly regulate the intensity of penetration of light into the room, sun rays and air currents. This detail of the interior plays a serious role in the design of the room. It is important that the integrity, harmony of color and stylistic composition under artificial lighting depends on it. In order not to bring disharmony into the comfort of your room, you need to know which blinds are better to buy.

Article outline:

Types of blinds

According to the principle of design features, blinds are divided into:

• vertical;


• horizontal;


• pleated;


• roller blinds;


• cassette.

"Classics of the genre" are. This type provides excellent protection against exposure to the sun and rising room temperatures. The design of this type of blinds is very simple and effective. There is an opinion that horizontal blinds are less reliable. However, experts say that the only drawback of devices of this type is the failure of the entire system if one lamella breaks down.

They can be inter-frame (mounted between window frames) and internal (attached to the inner surface of windows).

Opening and closing control is very simple and convenient. Blinds of the horizontal type do not create obstacles for the circulation of indoor air from the street, facilitating ventilation. This type of blinds can be used as room dividers into separate zones in offices and apartments. Thanks to the choice of material and color schemes, such blinds can decorate any interior.

They are a more modern trend and bear a clear imprint of classic curtains. They are perfectly combined with large windows, bay windows, arches and sliding doors. In this type of blinds, the slats are arranged perpendicular to the floor surface. They are equipped with a comfortable control mechanism that rotates the slats at any angle around its axis. This makes it possible to create different degrees of illumination in the room. Vertical blinds are moved apart with a cord, like curtains. Materials for vertical blinds are in most cases impregnated with antistatic and dust-repellent solutions. This prevents the accumulation of dust on them. Rolled into a roll, the slats of vertical blinds are very convenient to wash in the washer.

- This is a curtain made from a single piece of pleated fabric, which, if necessary, is gathered in folds. The system is installed directly on the window and allows you to close the opening of any size and form factor. Closing-opening is realized with the help of a cord and a weight, which makes the lower part of the curtain heavier. This type of blinds well protects the room from the sun's rays. The abundance of colors and textures allows you to fit these curtains into any interior.

- are a sheet of perforated fabric that retains sunlight, wound on a special roller. This type of blind can be lowered to any level, like a horizontal type device. The fabric of the roller blind creates a light scattering effect, in which you see what is happening outside the window, while remaining out of sight for observers outside. These curtains do not create obstacles for opening the window, help save space. They can be free-hanging or housed in a box. If the roller blind is equipped with guides, this allows it to fit snugly against the window, providing more effective protection. Depending on the material of this type of blinds, you can achieve complete darkness in the room. This is useful, for example, to implement the intention to arrange a home movie viewing on a home theater with a projector.

There are also metal shutters. However, they provide an intruder prevention function and are installed outside windows.

They have a mechanism similar to roller blinds. The difference is the conclusion of the curtains in a kind of "cassette" - a box with guides. The box is mounted directly on the sash, so the curtain does not interfere with the mobility of the window, protecting it well from ultraviolet radiation.

In accordance with the level of light protection blinds can be:

• reflective;


• light-scattering;


• light absorbing.

In accordance with the material of the blinds are:

• Aluminum - the metal provides strength and reliability of the structure, has reflective properties, reflects thermal radiation, is easy to maintain and clean.


• Wooden - an eco-friendly material, combined with excellent thermal and light insulation, various color schemes make this type of blinds an excellent option for any interior. Blinds made of bamboo look especially exotic.


• Faux wood - the material consists of synthetic elements interspersed with natural wood, has moisture resistance and high sun protection properties. More affordable than wood


• Fabric - have a good antistatic effect, are easy to wash and, thanks to the rich colors and the possibility of photo decoration, they look stylish and fit into the framework of any room design.


• Plastic - their advantage is, however, the sun protection properties of this type of blinds leave much to be desired.


• Multiimpressive - are a combination of different materials, which gives them a very stylish look that can decorate any room.

The choice of blinds for plastic windows

differ from other types of windows in a tilt-and-turn mechanism. Therefore, so that the blinds do not hang out ridiculously and do not interfere, it is necessary to choose their appropriate design.

For this type of windows, roller blinds with guides and cassette blinds are best suited. The advantage of these types of blinds is the fact that they are mounted directly on the window sash. This allows you to visually increase the volume of the room, while providing effective protection from sunlight. The window sill also remains free, which is undoubtedly very convenient in places with a limited area: in the bathroom, on the balcony, kitchen and others.

Another advantage of these types of blinds on plastic windows is the ability to carry out various manipulations with the window without removing the curtains.

If you are not satisfied with the minimalism of this type of blinds, you can always use them at the same time as classic curtains and tulle.

The choice between roller blinds and cassette blinds in most cases is determined by the design of the premises, the ultimate goals of arranging the premises, and the level of contamination. An important factor will be the floor on which the room is located, since dust and automobile exhausts do not reach a height of 5-7 floors. It is also important to take into account the proximity of the windows of neighboring houses in order to calculate the density of the fabric in order to hide your privacy from the immodest glances of strangers.

Horizontal cassettes are more resistant to dirt, high humidity and temperature fluctuations. They are easy to clean from dirt, and they are extremely durable and resistant to fading in the sun.

Because of the beauty roller blinds and delicacy of fabrics, their preferred installation in bedrooms and living rooms. The intensity of the light flux can be adjusted by selecting suitable fabrics.

Choosing blinds for wooden windows

There are no fundamental differences when choosing blinds for windows with wooden shutters. It is possible to use all types of blinds, focusing solely on the interior design of the room and on your taste preferences.

However, a few recommendations of an aesthetic nature would be useful.

Blinds made of natural materials will look more organically on wooden frames. A wooden window frame with wooden or bamboo horizontal blinds will be especially interesting and unusual. In combination with simple eco-style furniture, this will give the room a certain flavor of naturalness and originality.

In the case of a decent ceiling height in the room, it is advisable to purchase horizontal blinds. This will visually increase the volume of the room. Well, if the ceilings are low, vertical blinds will correct the situation. They will give the ceiling the illusion of height.

The best choice of blinds for a balcony or loggia

First of all, it should be mentioned that blinds mounted on the sash are not suitable for aluminum balcony glazing frames. Firstly, such a type of them can be mounted on metal at the cost of great effort. Secondly, design features frame sashes will prevent normal opening and closing if there are blinds of this type on them.

It should also be borne in mind that we very often leave balconies open for the purpose of ventilation. Therefore, the blinds on the balcony will be subject to frequent and intense polluting influences.

Vertical blinds should not be mounted on a balcony for several reasons. Often the ceilings on the balcony are made of plastic, which makes it impossible to mount vertical blinds on them. Also, vertical blinds will hide a tiny balcony area. The presence of several shutters of the balcony frame makes it difficult to install the blinds control unit.

The best, as it seems to us, will be the choice of roller blinds, cassette blinds and ordinary horizontal types. Their use will save space and provide comfort during operations with balcony glazing sashes.

Blinds or curtains - making a difficult choice

First of all, it is of course a matter of taste and aesthetic preferences. Consider the pros and cons of both curtains and blinds.

They have advantages in the field of decor. They create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort in the room. You can choose the colors and texture of the fabric that will create the right mood and style of the room. The disadvantages include:

• quite relative protection from sunlight;


• difficult .


• weak variability in regulating the degree of illumination of the room;


• obstruction of normal air circulation during ventilation in a curtained state;


• the ability of curtain fabric to accumulate dust, which can provoke the occurrence of allergic reactions of the body;


• hiding the volume of the room and limiting the possibility of using the window sill.

Blinds have great opportunities for the implementation of design ideas. They effectively perform the function of light control and heat reflection, prevent the penetration of sunlight into the room. They also visually expand the space of the room, freeing the window sill, providing freedom of operations with window sashes.

The disadvantages include:

• higher maintenance complexity compared to conventional curtains;


• a tendency to evoke associations with an office or other official institution, which not everyone will like;


• blinds made of artificial materials can emit a not very pleasant smell of "chemistry" when heated.

1. in the window opening. The width of the blinds with this installation option should be one to two centimeters shorter than the width of the opening. We pay attention to the angle of the slopes of the window, since this parameter greatly affects the width of the opening. The height of the slats should be one and a half centimeters shorter than the height of the window opening. The possibility of installing blinds in the opening is provided for if there are aligned window sills. The lack of parallelism of the window sill line with the upper edge of the window significantly spoils the aesthetics. In this case, it is necessary to mount blinds with variable height. The plumb line of the control cord should be fifteen centimeters shorter than the height of the blinds.

2. Installation of blinds on the window opening. The width of the blinds in this case should be equal to the width of the window plus three centimeters. If, due to the presence of heating pipes, the blinds will be mounted with some indentation from the wall, about fifteen to twenty centimeters should be added to the width. The height of the slats is calculated by adding to the height window opening another ten centimeters. If it is necessary to hide the window sill, the length of the slats can reach the floor. It is best to fix the eaves of vertical blinds to the ceiling. This will ensure the reliability of fixing the structure.

3. Video instruction:

Traditional types of blinds firmly occupy their market segment, along with them, modern protective, light-scattering products for windows, partitions and doorways are gaining popularity. Next, we offer an overview of the product, this will help you understand the variety and decide on the choice of blinds.

What are the blinds

Blinds are relevant not only for decorating openings in offices, but also for arranging home interiors. Beautiful, compact, light and easy to maintain. By type of opening blinds are divided into:

• horizontal, the canvas moves up and down;
• vertical, the curtains move aside.

Represented by slats 25, 16 and 50 mm wide and a solid canvas, vertical - only slats 25.50, 90, 100.125 mm wide. Models that open up / down are usually up to the window sill, or close only the glazing, less often they are made to the floor, for example, in gazebos, in doorways or on terraces, if there are panoramic windows in the room. Horizontal blinds include:

• lamella curtains;
• Roman;
• roll;
• curtains Day-night or Zebra;
• pleated.

Blinds that open vertically, to the sides, can be up to the window sill or to the floor. From above they are hung on a special cornice with a system of cords, from below they are fastened together with a chain.

All types of blinds can be used as an independent element of the interior or in combination with traditional fabric curtains, including pelmets, it is important to choose the right cornice for such a multi-layered window design.

Materials for the manufacture of blinds

Traditionally, for the manufacture of lamellas, it was used:

• wood or bamboo;

With the development of technology appeared:

• aluminum - perforated and straight;
• plastic;
• non-woven synthetic;
• multiimpressive;
• pressed and woven from bamboo, wood fibers, straws.

Solid canvas for blinds is represented by:

• woven materials from natural and synthetic threads;
• non-woven fabric;
• weaving from natural fibers;
• paper products.

All materials, except paper, are impregnated with special water and dust repellent compounds, they are antistatic, they do not warp from heat, they do not swell from dampness. They are easy to care for: it is enough to vacuum the blinds during cleaning. If necessary, you can wash with warm water with household chemicals, wipe with disinfectant solutions, if heavily soiled, even clean with pastes with fine abrasive and a sponge. The special finishing layer that covers the blinds reliably protects them from fading in the sun, thanks to which the curtains retain their color for a long time and do not lose their aesthetics.

High-tech processing of blinds with protective compounds makes them universal for all types of premises, they can safely decorate living rooms - bedrooms, living rooms, offices, as well as kitchens, bathrooms, swimming pools, offices, shopping malls, kindergartens and hospitals. Bamboo, aluminum and are suitable for arranging open and glazed openings in gazebos, on terraces, verandas.

Are issued for internal registration of windows and apertures, and for installation from outside of the building. Facade models reliably protect not only from sunlight, but also from the penetration of intruders into the premises. Aluminum products are not combustible, they are suitable for installation in rooms with high fire safety requirements.

Colors

Modern methods of coating and decorating materials allow you to make blinds in a huge color palette. Wooden and bamboo slats are mainly tinted and varnished, rarely painted white, cream, brown, black, cast, silvered and gilded. Woven fabrics are painted in different colors or ornaments are assembled from multi-colored elements. Aluminum slats are made in gold, bronze, silver, and in the main range of colors: white, brown, black. Blinds made of paper, woven and non-woven fabrics are presented in a huge range of colors, including plain, with patterns, textured with a printed pattern. All types of blinds can be photo-printed or hand-drawn.

Multiimpressive - the brightest and most original in the entire product line. Lamellas have a variety of colors: rich colors and pastel shades, including metallics, mother-of-pearl effect. They are also divided by texture: glossy shine, discreet shine and matte. Patterns are collected from them, you can make beautiful layered curtains and smooth lines and with a lambrequin. It is impossible to describe all the colors in one article, the variety of decor allows you to choose blinds for any style of interior.

Control methods

Horizontal blinds are ordinary: the slats are folded like an accordion or the canvas is rolled into a roll, or cassette - it rises and hides in a special box. Vertical models are mounted on rail cornices, including multi-row ones.

Control can be manual and automatic. Raising and lowering the blinds with your own hands is not difficult, just pull the desired cord. But if there are many windows in the room or the openings are large, then it is advisable to install blinds on electric cornices. The automatic drive allows you to control one, a group or all canvases at once, fix them in different positions. Such blinds significantly save time, you can adjust the position from the button fixed on the wall, and remotely from the remote control.

Where and how to mount?

For mounting on the sash, special mini-blinds have been developed - horizontal lamella, pleated, paper, day-night model, as well as rolled. Installation does not require drilling, it is enough to install special clips on a plastic window or stick a curtain on a self-adhesive tape. For installation on inclined sashes, it is better to choose with guides on the sides, they hold the canvas around the entire perimeter. In horizontal blinds, so that when the plastic window is tilted, the curtain does not move away from the glass, a magnet is provided on the lower lamella. Products mounted on a frame are not suitable for sliding systems. In this case, you should choose self-adhesive blinds that can be installed on the glass. The canvas covers only the glazing, the window sill remains free, which is very convenient in rooms where it is important to use every useful centimeter of space.

Standard blinds are hung on a fixed window frame or on a wall, the latter in length can be up to a window sill or to the floor. Vertical views are installed on the upper slope, on the wall or ceiling, it all depends on the choice of the style of the curtains, the proportions of the space and the design decision. For the design of complex openings: curvilinear, semicircular, arched, multifaceted bay windows, it is optimal to choose blinds on a bending cornice. Such models are mounted on brackets and dowel-screws.

• Several important tips optional blinds

Habitual fabric curtains do not always fit into modern design interior. Increasingly, they began to be replaced with blinds, which not only look beautiful on the windows, but also reliably isolate the room from bright sunlight and annoying moonlight. If earlier blinds were used mainly in offices, today they can be seen everywhere: in city apartments, private houses, in summer cottages. Window shutters, which consist of light and durable lamella plates, have earned great popularity due to their versatility, ease of care and use. Properly chosen designs can be a great addition to the decor of the room, so you need to buy them with knowledge of the matter.

For large windows, it is better to install blinds with electric drive.

What are the best blinds to buy? This question is often asked by people who are faced with their choice for the first time. Blinds are distinguished by type, material, colors, texture. In order for homeowners to like the new window frame, they need to familiarize themselves in detail with how some product models differ from others. By type, the blinds are divided into horizontal, in which the lamellas are located across the window, and vertical, which are plates placed along the window openings. For the manufacture of modern structures, various materials are used, among which plastic, fabric, wood, and aluminum are in greatest demand. The color and texture of the blinds should be chosen taking into account the design of the room in which they will be located.

Horizontal and vertical structures

Plastic and aluminum blinds are unpretentious in care and the most affordable.

Horizontal blinds appeared much earlier than vertical ones. Most often they are used in office premises, as they perfectly complement the strict business style in the interior. However, in living rooms, horizontal slats look great. To create a cozy atmosphere in the room, designers recommend complementing them with curtains. Most models of structures do not absorb extraneous odors, are not afraid of temperature changes, high humidity and direct sunlight, so they can be used to shade any room. The customer can independently choose the width of the blinds plates (it can be 1.6, 2.5 and 5 cm) and the way they are installed (in the window opening or between the frames). Horizontal shutters have a mechanism controlled by a special remote control. Such models are folded up, which is not always convenient. When choosing horizontal models, you should always remember that the shading plates on the window should look proportional to the room. In small rooms, you should not install blinds with wide slats, and in large rooms - with narrow ones.

Vertical blinds can also be used in both offices and residential areas. They are made from durable materials and serve their owners for many years. With the help of longitudinally installed plates, you can adjust the amount of sunlight entering the room. When choosing vertical structures, it should be borne in mind that they have lamellas in two sizes (8.9 and 12.7 cm). In spacious rooms, it is appropriate to order shutters with wide stripes, and in medium and small rooms - with narrow ones. Removing vertical blinds from a window is very simple, for this you need to move them to the side or from the edges to the center using a special mechanism. The shutter plates are fixed to a durable aluminum cornice and can be replaced individually in case of breakage. When choosing between horizontal and vertical blinds, you need to consider that the latter option is more durable.

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Advantages of plastic and fabric blinds

Natural cotton blinds are environmentally friendly, but deteriorate from washing.

When choosing blinds for windows, be sure to pay attention to the material from which they are made. The most common option are plastic lamellas. Among their positive qualities is that they:

• perfectly harmonize with any interior;
• horizontally can be combined with tulle and curtains;
• keep their shape well, do not bend or deform from mechanical impact;
• easy to clean and wash;
• are not electrified.

All of these advantages apply only to high-quality plastic. Lamellas made of cheap material do not have such qualities. Having opted for plastic blinds for a window, you need to remember that you cannot place them near heat sources, otherwise they will quickly become unusable.

Fabric blinds are made from polyester, jacquard, cotton, fiberglass. Products are presented in a wide range of shades and textures, thanks to which they can be matched even to the most sophisticated interior. When buying fabric blinds, you need to pay attention to its density: slats made of fine cloth will fade faster in the sun and lose their shape when washed. Stripes made of dense fabric will keep a decent look longer. The degree of illumination of the room also depends on the thickness of the material, therefore, to darken rooms facing the sunny side, you need to take a dense fabric. If there are problems with the choice of material for the lamellas, then it should be borne in mind that:

• polyester strips are the most durable, they do not wrinkle, do not deform, do not fade and do not shrink when washed, while they are cheaper than other types of fabric blinds;
• jacquard blinds with their luxurious look will transform any room, they do not fade in the sun and do not shrink when washed;
• fiberglass structures are highly fireproof and moisture resistant, so they are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, but this product is very expensive and is rare on the Russian market.

The cloth used for the manufacture of strips for blinds is impregnated with a special dust-repellent solution, so that they do not absorb dust. Fabric slats can be washed by hand in warm water with a small amount of washing powder added, after disconnecting them from the mechanism. Natural cotton strips should be washed carefully, as they shrink (so that after washing such blinds do not become too short, they must be ordered with a margin of 5-10 cm). Washed wet slats are attached to the eaves and dried in an upright position. When buying fabric structures for windows, you need to understand that a cheap product will not serve its owners for a long time, so it is better to choose high-quality shutters at a decent price.

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Aluminum, wood and bamboo blinds: pros and cons

Aluminum blinds, covered with heat-resistant enamel, reliably protect the room from bright light and prying eyes, look great on the windows. The following advantages of aluminum lamellas can be called:

Bamboo blinds are not suitable for rooms with high humidity.

• ease of care and durability;
• a wide choice of colors, allowing you to choose blinds for any interior;
• affordable price;
• Choice of vertical and horizontal designs.

The disadvantage of aluminum lamellas can be attributed to the fact that they rattle, finding themselves in a draft. However, with the windows closed, no one will have problems with them.

Designs for windows with wooden plates fit perfectly into the interior, designed in country style. They will look great on the window, both in combination with curtains, and as an independent piece of decor. These blinds are made from valuable breeds tree (usually Cork tree or Canadian linden) and are not cheap, but the high price will fully pay off with their high quality. Wooden blinds not only give the room a special flavor, but also have a lot of advantages over other types of window structures, including:

Blinds options.

• environmental friendliness;
• hypoallergenicity (natural wood does not cause allergic reactions, so interior items from it can be safely used in rooms where allergy sufferers and small children live);
• a fairly wide range of shades (starting with light beech and ending with mahogany);
• durability;
• strength;
• ease of care;
• reliable protection from the sun (if necessary, they can be used to completely shade the room);
• resistant to ultraviolet radiation due to a special coating.

Deciding to decorate the window with wooden slats, you need to take into account that they are not suitable for rooms with a high level of humidity, since the tree does not have moisture resistance.

Another natural material from which blinds are made today is bamboo. According to the main characteristics, bamboo lamellas can be compared with wooden ones. The bamboo window design will harmoniously look in a room designed in the spirit of minimalism. Such blinds are not afraid of moisture, so they can be safely used in bathrooms, kitchens, balconies and attics.

Until recently, blinds were perceived as a purely office window design option. Today, they can often be found in residential areas. However, it is worth noting that horizontal blinds are still more often chosen for the house. To answer the question: "How to choose blinds?" Let's look at the features of each type.

Classic blinds are a device designed to protect the premises from sunlight, which consists of vertical or horizontal plates - lamellas made of various materials. These plates can be rotated around their axis, and sometimes they are immovable. In the first case, it is convenient to adjust the amount of light by changing the angle of rotation or inclination of the plates.

For example, slats located at an angle of 45 °, without darkening the room, will give it privacy, protect it from prying eyes, unlike thick curtains (this is especially important for residents of the first floors). And if we compare blinds with ordinary curtains or tulle, then the advantage of slats is that in the hot half of the day they are able to protect the air in the room from overheating.

Both vertical and horizontal blinds have their pros and cons. The peculiarity of the vertical ones is that their installation requires special conditions: the gap from the window sash to the ceiling (or the upper slope) must be at least 3 cm, otherwise the window simply cannot be opened. However, even when all these requirements are met, there is no particular convenience in using such a model of blinds: each time, in order to open the window, the vertical slats will have to be moved aside.

Horizontal ones are convenient in that they can be installed on almost any windows (as well as glass doors) and in a variety of rooms. They can be mounted on the wall or ceiling above the window opening, on the upper slope of the opening, or directly on the window (door) sash.

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Horizontal slats are connected to each other by cords and a "ladder" attached to the cornice with a control mechanism. In standard models, a rod (turn) and a cord (raise, lower) are designed to change the position of the plates. The control of such a variety of blinds as cassette blinds is somewhat different, but we will talk about them later.

Horizontal blinds can be purchased as a finished product standard sizes(corresponding to the dimensions of standard windows) or order a product that fits the format of a particular window. The total cost (measuring services, manufacturing, installation) will depend on the complexity of the design. In terms of time, work takes an average of 2 to 5 days.

Types of blinds

Venetian blinds are made from various materials: metals, tree species and plastics. It is difficult to answer definitely that one of the types of blinds is better - it all depends on the functional purpose of the room for which the blinds are selected, its style, the microclimate that reigns in it, and the design (size) of the window itself.

Laconic and stylish metal blinds , made from aluminum alloys, look very organically in modern minimalist interiors. They are not only elegant, but also practical: metal plates are immune to moisture and temperature changes. A slight bend in the cross section gives them additional rigidity. But still, such structures require careful handling: with a strong bend, creases may appear on the lamellas that cannot be corrected.

Another feature: under the direct rays of the sun, the plates can get quite hot. Nevertheless, they are fireproof and not subject to fading. By the way, the choice of shades and decor is diverse. The plates are covered with protective coloring compositions that are resistant to scratches and abrasion.

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Blinds in natural shades wooden - a great option for interiors in eco-style.

Structures made of environmentally friendly wood, covered with several layers of varnish (to protect against ultraviolet rays), are distinguished by their noble appearance, strength, and durability.

In such designs, the standard fastening cord is often replaced with a wide decorative tape that has a woody tint - this gives eco-friendly blinds a special charm. But of course, in comparison with blinds made of other materials, wooden structures are more expensive.

In addition to the high price, there is another drawback: due to changes in temperature and humidity, thin wooden plates can deform and change color, and therefore it is undesirable to install them in wet rooms.

Plastic lamellas are often disguised as a tree. They are generally very aesthetically pleasing. Also plastic blinds they are practical: they are resistant to moisture, immune to the action of cleaning agents, easy to clean. Do not heat up and do not fade from exposure to sunlight. In addition to "woody", plastic blinds of light, pastel colors are popular.

However, all the listed advantages of plastic are related only to high-quality products that are not of the lowest price category. In general, the price range for plastic blinds is large: from 500 to 3000 rubles. per sq.m. Cheap designs made from low quality plastic high temperatures and under the influence of the sun can change color and even release harmful chemical compounds.