Roller blinds for the Home
The roller blind is one of the most timeless recognized products in any home. They are cheap, adapt to the decoration, are practical, easy to install, and control the intensity of light that enters the home or our privacy what more could we want!
In fact, this product adapts to any type of window, and more, if we see the different types of roller shades that have multiple mounting systems or technical fabrics with very interesting features.
A type of interior curtain that hides some secrets that we should know…
What is a roller blind
A roll-up blind is a type of fine interior curtain arranged in a mechanism that unfolds to cover a window or door whose main function is to filter or block sunlight that enters. The mechanism can be handled in different ways:
- With a chain mechanism.
- With a spring mechanism.
- With a small electric motor.
Roller shades are the most economical solution to control the entry of light and protect us from the sun’s rays in a window
Although we are talking about a simple and quite economical element compared to its competitors (awnings, venetian blinds, parasols, etc.) it has a great versatility that goes beyond controlling sunlight.
What are the main functions of roller blinds
- Sunlight and glare control. Control the entry of light through a window or door in a simple way and reduce the luminous contrasts between different areas
- Protection from the sun. Protection against the sun’s UV rays.
- External view and intimacy. Allow and maintain a clear view to the outside, as well as protect the interior of the home from indiscreet glances.
- Improved thermal comfort. Reduce the heat gains produced by the sun’s rays by acting as a thermal control barrier. Especially in summer, regulate the interior temperature of the rooms by reducing the use of air conditioning systems, not excessively, but they are already gains, which, as a consequence, will result in a reduction in energy consumption.
- As a decorative element. Due to its versatility of styles, fabrics that combine with interior design and colors, it presents itself as another piece in the interior decoration. Additionally, there are custom-made roller shades.
Reduction of resonance in a space. The echoes in open interior spaces caused by harder materials such as glass, walls, or the floor itself are reduced.
Of course, there is a big difference between buying a cheap shade and a quality one, even more so when we look at the treatments that the fabrics may have. In the following video, we see the main pieces and components of a quality roller blind:
But….What models does the market offer? Are there any for different spaces?
What types of roller blinds are there
The different types of roller shades are mainly classified according to the folding form and type of fabric that forms the screen, and are:
1.- Roller Shade
Due to their versatility and low maintenance, they are the most in-demand in the market. Roller shades (roller blinds) use a simple mechanism consisting of a continuous panel of fabric or polyester thread that wraps around a hollow roller, becoming invisible when it is folded back into the window. Depending on the textile used, we have several types:
1.1- Screen roller blinds
The screen roller shade is made with a technical fabric of glass fiber or polyester filaments coated with PVC, which allows the sun’s rays to be filtered in a simple way. It is the most used in houses or offices due to its easy maintenance and performance.
Thanks to the use of a technical material, different types of finishes can be applied to the fabric, with more or less performance, depending on the quality and use we need. Some notable features are:
- It can have a fireproof layer to be more resistant to fire.
- The interlacing of the threads allows them not to unravel.
- It can provide properties that repel dust, humidity, and even antibacterial properties.
- It can have properties that improve thermal comfort. Although it is very little, something is something.
- It can have a different opening factor (degree of opening) in the interlacing of the threads (pore thickness) that allows controlling the amount of light and transparency that the roller shade will have.
The screens are marketed with different opening degrees according to the luminosity we need: from level 10 with high visibility, to level zero, which is opaque.
How much light do you want? You will normally find:
Screen pieces are ideal complements for modern decoration, adapting to any space with a thousand prints and coatings
There are also special custom-made fabrics for offices or work areas where on the same screen you can have different light filtering, between the lower part of the curtain and the upper part, avoiding dazzle when working without losing too much brightness.
1.2- Translucent fabric roller blinds
In this case, translucent roller shades allow light to pass through the window with a bit of dispersion, soft and pleasant, so it’s not too bothersome or direct. Although they may seem very similar to screen fabric, we are talking about a 100% polyester fabric with a resin coating to be more resistant to the sun and rigid.
What’s the difference between screen and translucent? With screen, you have different degrees of visibility and privacy, but with translucent fabrics, regardless of the fabric, privacy is maximum (you can’t see the neighbor).
1.3- Roller blind with opaque fabric
The opaque curtain, also known as blackout, is made of a thicker fabric that completely prevents natural light from entering through the window. These are used in rest areas and bedrooms.
They are the perfect solution to promote rest, ideal for bedrooms!
1.4- Day and night roller blind
This type of curtain is made up of a combination of two different types of fabrics with horizontal stripes interlaced with each other. The curtain has a double fabric with stripes, some translucent and others almost opaque (Combination of opaque + translucent).
We provide a comparative table of different types of roller blinds based on textiles for better understanding:
| Type of Roller Blind Textile | Privacy | Light Entry | Recommended for | Light Perception |
| Screen Textile | Depends on openness factor | Depends on openness factor | Kitchens, bathrooms, work areas, offices. Optional for living-dining rooms | Natural and clear perception |
| Translucent Textile | Yes (100%) | Yes | Living and dining rooms | Diffuse and soft perception |
| Opaque or Blackout Textile | Yes (100%) | No | Bedrooms and rest areas | None |
| Day and Night Textile | Yes (100%) | Yes – Medium entry | Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms | Diffuse and soft perception |
2.- Foldable or Rod Blind
Among all types of curtains, these have a more traditional style in interior design. They are perfectly distinguished because the fabric folds thanks to rods in a proportional and symmetrical way, like an accordion.
Although from an aesthetic perspective the inner element – the textile – is more visible when folded, since they are not as closed as the screen blind and due to the type of mechanism, their maintenance is more cumbersome.
3.- Japanese or Vertical Blind
Japanese blinds resemble the style of traditional Japanese folding doors. In reality, they are vertical slat curtains (also called Californian blinds) and are essential complements in the decoration of modern offices.
It is formed by a series of wide vertical strips that are between 60 and 80 cm. They are suspended by a top rail that provides sliding, and at the bottom, we find a counterweight to stabilize the panels.
The degree of protection and darkening of the light is produced by turning the slats through a chain or electronic control mechanism.
They are curtains designed to cover doors or windows of large dimensions.
Relegated more to the field of offices.
4.- Bamboo blind
The shades made of bamboo have the same system as the roller shade but instead of using a screen with textile material, they use fine intertwined bamboo canes forming a curtain.
Of course, we are talking about a more ecological type of interior blind with an exotic style, which has character as a decorative element and is widely used in areas with warm climates.
5. Paqueto or roman blind
It’s like having a “natural” deployable curtain, with a different seam, in fact, it aims to simulate that situation and that’s why linen fabric is often used as a textile for this type of curtain. The folding is done by means of several cords that will depend on the width.
It’s a piece for the house that aims to bring naturalness to the decoration of a room without the rigid appearance provided by its competitors. A fragile element whose maintenance is delicate, but with a sinuous and beautiful visual effect
6.- Gathered or venetian classic blind
They are of a style very similar to paqueto shades, but there is an overload or exaggeration of excess fabric that forms large waves. In the past, they were the predominant style in the French and Italian bourgeoisie
They are usually used with high-quality natural fabrics and have delicate and complex maintenance.
Comparison between types of blinds
For informational purposes, we provide the following table to test recommendations based on room, price, and maintenance:
| Types of Blinds | Recommended for | Price | Maintenance |
| Screen Roller Blind | Kitchens, bathrooms, work areas, offices. Optional for living-dining rooms | ✅✅✅ (Wide variety) | Low |
| Translucent Roller Blind | Living and dining rooms | ✅✅✅ | Medium – High |
| Opaque or Blackout Roller Blind | Bedrooms and rest areas | ✅✅ | Medium |
| Day and Night Blind | Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms | ✅✅✅ | Medium |
| Foldable or Rod Blind | Living and dining rooms | ✅✅ | Medium |
| Japanese Blind | Office or living room with large windows | ✅✅✅✅ | Medium – High |
| Bamboo Blind | Bedroom, living and dining rooms | ✅ | Very Low |
| Roman Blind | Living and dining rooms | ✅✅✅ | Medium |
| Balloon Blind | Living and dining rooms | ✅✅✅✅ | High |
The data in the previous table are indicative, and when we talk about maintenance, it is always from a low range. Let us not forget that in any textile product, color is very important… Why?
Why color is important in blinds
In any element that is affected by sunlight, there are benefits or drawbacks, whether for awnings and exterior blinds, or curtains and roller shades for interior. In this case, we must understand that the color of the fabric (Whites, reds, blues, browns, etc.) affects the roller shade through two factors:
- Dazzle due to color: Although it’s a bit more complex, to summarize, dark colors provide greater control over dazzle and better transparency, while light tones allow more diffusion of natural light, improving visual comfort!
What happens with dazzle? It causes discomfort and even the inability to distinguish objects due to excessive contrasts in a space.
- Thermal comfort according to the color of the textile: The incidence of natural light on an interior roller shade produces an “absorption” of solar radiation (heat), which depends on the color (More for exterior).
Aunque no impide que se transmita una gran proporción de esa energía incidente ¡algo es algo!
When a solar protection system is located in an interior space, it is recommended to use light colors, as they have a higher reflection and lower energy absorption.
It is better to use roller shades for the interior with light colors as they have a higher reflection and lower energy absorption
These complements are modern and subtle systems that integrate perfectly into any type of environment. There is a wide variety and for all tastes, which fit into any decoration, you just have to look for the one that best suits your needs!
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