Horizontal blinds

Horizontal blinds occupy a strong position among the favorite ways to design window space. You can choose a model for any interior, located both outside the window and indoors. Horizontal blinds - the best way to arrange the windows on the loggia, terrace, in the gazebo.

The design of horizontal blinds is quite simple. It is a horizontal lamella, which are fastened along the sides of the guide. The control mechanism can be manual or electronic, depending on the needs of the buyer. This device is used everywhere. Horizontal blinds are designed for the design of the nursery, and for the kitchen, and the bedroom, and even the bathroom.The principle of operation is based on raising or lowering the blade of the slats, as well as their deployment. The amplitude is 180 degrees.

Blinds can be mounted on the wall, in the window opening or directly on the sash. Due to the fact that they do not sag, such models are the only way to frame the ceiling windows. There is a large selection of materials on the market on which the light transmission ability of such curtains depends. Also available in various colors and textures slats.

Horizontal blinds in many respects differ from classical curtains, panel curtains or even their vertical "brothers".

The advantages of horizontal structures include the following:

• A rich selection of materials is presented.from which blinds can be made.
• They do not take up much space.which is especially important for small rooms.
• Horizontal roller blinds can be installed both outside and indoors.
• Suitable for registration sloping and skylight windows.

• Well protected from the sun; Some materials allow you to hide the room from sunlight almost completely.
• Wide price range.
• Horizontal blinds can be fixed both on wooden, and on plastic windows.
• Horizontal roller shutters are easy to maintain., and you can repair them yourself.
• The choice presented mechanisms fasteners and ways to control blinds.

Often distinguish and disadvantages. One of them is that the structures can be simply broken or deformed, especially if there are children or pets at home. Also for some, the minus is too modern; It is quite difficult to find a suitable model for a traditional old style, for example, Baroque.

There are several types of horizontal blinds: classic, pleated, roller, mansard, interframe, roman blinds, electric shutters, protective.

Each of these types has its own distinctive features and features:

• Ordinary horizontal blinds are placed both inside the room and outside. They can be mounted on walls, window openings or shutters.
• Pleated from a distance can be taken for blinds with slats, but they are a cloth or paper sheet, folded accordion.They are for the lower eaves with the opening function only from the bottom up, and there are also those that can be opened simultaneously from two ends.
• Mansard mounted on sloping attic windows, as well as on the ceiling window designs.
• Interframes are installed between the frames of one glass unit provided it is possible. Most often they are installed on wooden frames, but lately this type is not uncommon for plastic windows. As a rule, they are supplied immediately with glass.

• Roman curtains look like pleated with wide pleatshowever, they are soft and are collected from one end only, while the plisse folds at the same time along the entire length.
• Blinds, augmented by an electric drive are not controlled manually, and using a special remote control. Often the mansard structures are equipped with such a system.
• Safety shutters, or shutters, are installed outside the house. Can protect both windows and doors.

Horizontal blinds are made of a huge number of materials. The most traditional of these is fabric. Pleated, rolled and roman models are made of cloth treated with a special compound.The material is chosen rather dense for good protection from the sun. Thanks to the impregnation, it does not accumulate odors and repels dust and dirt. Paper pleated blinds are popular due to their low cost and the ability to complement any windows with them. Since the material is nothing special, paper blinds can be made independently.

Plastic - common option for blinds with slats. PVC-based blinds are easy to handle, and the choice of different textures and colors is simply amazing. But there are also disadvantages: plastic blinds are deformed under their own weight, so that they do not differ in durability. The low price allows you to regularly replace plastic structures with new ones. Plastic models are quite heavy, it is worth considering when choosing a mount.

Aluminum is also popular largely because of its functionality. You can choose designs with narrow lamellas, and you can with wide ones. Aluminum models can be installed outside the window, without fear that the slats will bend or deform. Durability and strength are the distinguishing features of this material.It is represented by a wide range of colors. You can order aluminum blinds with a metallic or matte coating, as well as wood-finished. The material is fairly light and it is easy to care for, but it heats up from the sun and can greatly affect the temperature in the room on summer days.

Venetian wooden blinds - the most elite of all presented. Lamellas are made of expensive wood and look majestically and ecologically logical in the interior. Wood - the material is quite "capricious" and requires special treatment. Wet cleaning is contraindicated to it, it is possible only to wipe the slats with the help of a special tool for wood. It is much easier to care for bamboo blinds, acting as an inexpensive analogue of wood. They look no worse, they are less whimsical and demanding, withstand various temperature changes and can be installed even in the kitchen.

Horizontal blinds can be both monophonic, and multi-colored or with drawing. Monophonic models are universal, color are established, generally in children's.The most popular include the following shades.

• White;
• Brown;
• Green;
• Red;
• Blue;
• Pink

When choosing multi-colored models for living rooms, they usually stop at a combination of white and bright colors, for example, white and blue or white and green. Rainbow blinds are also not uncommon. The alternation of the lamellas of all seven colors will give a festive and light atmosphere to the atmosphere, and the refraction of light will create interesting lighting for the room.

Drawings on the blinds made to choose abstract, in a similar color scheme. Looks beautiful when the main canvas is of a light shade, and the pattern is dark. For example, an abstract rare pattern of floral themes of burgundy color on an ash-pink background looks great. Popularity gain and samples with photoprint. Most often, this solution is chosen for blinds "plise". On the curtains you can place your own image. This option is perfect for nursery or bedroom. Images of favorite cartoon characters will delight the kid. Large flowers on the blinds perfectly complement the interior of the bedroom.

Horizontal blinds can vary in length and width.The width is selected depending on the place of attachment and is calculated individually for each of the positions. Depending on the selected width of the curtains, they may have additional thread holders in the middle of the cloth.

The length of the curtains can be adjusted independently. It usually varies by adding or removing lower lamellae. The standard length of horizontal blinds is exactly up to the window sill.

The dimensions of the slats themselves also vary in width and thickness:

• First of allThis is due to the chosen material: plastic slats are much thicker than aluminum or fabric.
• Secondly, the width of the slats depends on their style purpose and features of the window space, which they draw.

Blinds with narrow slats are selected for a small or narrow window. Due to the small size of the slats, the ceiling looks higher and the room as a whole is larger. In addition, such blinds significantly save space, almost completely freeing the window sill, even if they are mounted directly on the window sash. The wide lamellas are made mainly of fabric.As a rule, in this case, the pleated blinds are chosen.

Spare parts for horizontal blinds are not so difficult to pick up. The standard list includes:

• Brackets;
• Canvas slats;
• Top strip with side cover;
• Bottom plate with side cover or magnetic lock for designs on inclined windows;
• Control cord;
• Control knob;
• Dowels and screws.

The choice between the bottom bar and the magnets depends on the type of window. PVC windows mainly attach magnets with double-sided adhesive tape. Fastener bottom bracket requires drilling. Additional fittings are also offered. The most popular representatives include holders for control knobs and curtain rods. Holders securely fasten the handle, saving it from playing pets or children. Thus, the service life and the control mechanism, and most blinds, are extended.

The eaves carry out decorative function, masking the top level of fastening. Sometimes the choice of such a solution is necessary, especially if only blinds without curtains or lambrequins are used as window decorations.Blinds installed on sloping or ceiling windows must be secured with clamps. So they will not sag and spoil the overall look of the room.

All measurements are made depending on the type of installation.

• Installation in the window opening: the width of the louver is 1-2 cm less than the width of the window opening, the length is 1 cm less.
• Wall mounted: The width of the blinds is 2-5 cm more than the window opening, length - 10 cm more.

Next, decide on where the controls will be - right or left. Keep in mind that the length of the control knob is usually 2/3 the length of the louver itself. Note that the maximum width of the blinds is 220 cm (if you select a larger option, you will have to abandon warranty service). The maximum length is 250 cm with a warranty or 300 cm without it.

For panel windows in the entire wall, you can order several paintings roller shutter. Firstly, it will facilitate window care, secondly, it will allow better control of the level of lighting in the room, and thirdly, the use of several curtains is an interesting design solution.If you want to add extravagance to a room, stop your choice on perforated blinds. Due to the large number of small holes in the lamellae, even when closed, they create unusual lighting in the room, at the same time allowing you to observe what is outside.

Using horizontal blinds is easy and pleasant. But you need to understand how the mechanism of opening / closing of the roller shutter and how to make a small repair. It is also important to think about how to care for blinds. For rooms such as kitchens, for example, this is a matter of paramount importance.

Depending on the material chosen, the method of cleaning will vary.

• The most common way to date is to care with a special brush.. The design of such a device allows you to brush off dust from both sides of the lamella at once. Many housewives call such a method impractical, since the dust further accumulates on furniture or the same blinds.
• The second method is carried out using microfiber cloth and means for washing windows. It is enough to sprinkle the closed blinds with a tool and wipe from top to bottom, and ready. This method is not suitable for the care of elite wooden models.
• The third way is simple and affordable: just wipe the closed canvas from the top down with wet napkins for office equipment. They will not leave stains and will not damage the lamella coating due to its gentle chemical composition.
• In some cases, the blinds can be washed under the shower in the opened form, having previously removed the sheet of lamellae from the eaves and freeing all plastic elements (plugs, etc.). In case of heavy pollution, a soap solution and a soft non-abrasive sponge are used, with the help of which it is necessary to slightly rub especially polluted places. Next, the slats are dried naturally disintegrated on a soft cloth. After complete drying, they can be hung back, and the plastic parts back in place.

The assembly of horizontal blinds is not particularly difficult for people more or less familiar with the device technology.As a rule, the eaves are delivered in the already assembled form. Otherwise, you must use the instructions for assembling the eaves for your model, as some of their types are different.

To fasten the blinds with the finished eaves, follow these steps:

• Fasten the brackets to the flap.in a window or wall. Their installation can be made by drilling or double-sided adhesive tape.
• Secure the control ropes in special sleeves, pass through the springs and through the eaves.
• Now fix the eaves on the brackets.
• Pass the rope through special holes in the lamellae.

• Install the second pair of special bushings in the bottom brackets., then fix the second end of the rope in them with a screw.
• Attach the control stick hook on the control mechanism.
• Hang the pen holder next to the blinds at a comfortable height, if available.

As you can see, the installation is not as complicated as it seems at first glance. However, horizontal blinds - the thing is not cheap, so if you are not confident in your abilities, the best solution would be to turn to a professional.

As mentioned above, the blinds can be controlled using the remote control or manually. Manual control in some people causes a number of difficulties. In fact, the system is quite simple. To expand the lamellae, use the control knob. It is turned around its axis, and the lamellae turn along with it.

• The length of the web is controlled with a rope.
• To begin with, the rope is released by moving it to the center of the web.
• To raise the roller shutter, the rope is pulled down;
• To lower the blinds, the rope gently let go, loosening the tension.
• To fix the position of the canvas, you need to take the rope to the right or left, depending on where the control mechanism is located.
• Raising and lowering the blinds is done with the horizontal position of the slats. It is important to adjust their position before raising or lowering the web.

To remove the blinds, it is necessary to enlist the help of a second person, as to remove even a small canvas alone is quite problematic, and even more so. The louvre attachment mechanisms are different,and each one requires its own way of dismantling.

• Move back the front and back panel;
• Remove the bar;
• Unscrew the bolts;
• Remove the design.

• Fully raise the blinds, turning horizontally;
• Pull out the plugs;
• Lugs protruding sharply at themselves, pulling slightly to the right;
• At the same time with the clips need to pull the canvas shutters down;
• You can disassemble the structure.

To remove the extra slats, it is enough to release the ropes from the latches below, disconnect the extra slats and re-fasten the blinds below. Do not rush to throw out the detached strips: you may need them when repairing blinds.

There are several main types of breakdowns. The most common - the deformation of the slats. In this case, do not try to straighten it, still you will not achieve the original form. Better just replace it with a new one. If the rope is torn, it is necessary to disconnect the entire structure and fasten the new cable instead of the torn one. It is better to buy a spare part at the same time with the acquisition of a set of blinds.

Horizontal blinds are in demand when you make a balcony. A wide range of colors allows you to choose not only classic white blinds on the balcony, but also bright ones like in the photo. Choosing blinds in the kitchen, first of all you should think about their functionality. Plastic models can be chosen for almost any interior, while they look cute and interesting. For example, in this kitchen used a color that imitates wood.

Horizontal roller blinds in the living room are often combined with classic curtains. In this case, the emphasis is not on an interesting texture or drawing blinds, but on their ability to protect the room from sunlight. The color of the slats is matched in the same shade as the surroundings, but the tone is darker. Due to this, the window does not merge with the walls. In the bedroom, fabric models are often chosen, also complementing them with classic curtains. Often, the choice falls on models with wide slats.They are well protected from light, at the same time making the room more comfortable. Having picked up the blinds under the color of the curtains, the designer created a decent duet for window decoration.

Wooden Venetian blinds will give the room a cozy and slightly old-fashioned look. In such a bedroom, the sleeper can completely relax, as the tree has a calming effect. Blinds with small slats will provide quality sleep both at night and during the day. Rainbow blinds are a frequent choice for a child's room. The multi-colored options will create interesting lighting in the room, and it will be interesting for the kid to watch such curtains. It is important to hide the controls in order to avoid their possible breakage or to choose models with a remote control.

For the cabinet the best choice is just horizontal blinds. They do not distract from what is happening thanks to a simple design, and also reliably protect the workplace from prying eyes, the monitor from glare, and the general environment from burning out.

Also for many, a serious disadvantage was the fact that they are difficult to remove and wash. In some cases, the blinds got dirty quickly, which made regular cleaning a necessity. People are advised to pay attention to the quality of products when purchasing. It is better to buy a model once at a higher price than to regularly change the blinds due to poor quality.

Review horizontal blinds in the next video.