Roller blinds for plastic windows: open and cassette type

As soon as roller blinds appeared on the market, they seriously competed with metal and plastic blinds. The popularity of the new product is explained by its ease of use, compactness and original design of the products.

They are suitable for decorating the interior of any room: living room, children's room, bedroom, kitchen. But the main advantage is its exceptional compatibility with plastic windows. They are mounted directly on the frame, harmonize perfectly with the smooth surface of the transom, and if necessary, they can be installed without violating the integrity of the metal profile.

What types of roller blinds are there for plastic windows?

There are two varieties: open and closed, that is, cassette. The principle of the opening mechanism is the same for both types of products, but each of them has its own characteristics. Let's consider them separately.

Open roller blinds

This type of curtain consists of a plastic or metal shaft attached to the top crossbar of the frame, on which the fabric is wound.
Opening and closing is done using a simple mechanism - by pulling a chain (a rope with plastic balls attached at a certain interval), the shaft is set in motion, and the curtain fabric is either wound onto it and raised, or untwisted and lowered. To prevent the fabric from sagging on a window opened in ventilation mode, magnetic pads are attached to the bottom of the transom. With their help, a weighting agent (metal strip) mounted into the lower edge of the curtain is fixed.

Cassette roller blinds

The type of cassette, or closed roller blinds, are improved models of open-type products.
The shaft is located in a box, or cassette, and covers the canvas collected in a roll. Cassette blinds have an advantage over open ones in that dust does not collect on the fabric when the curtain is in the closed position. Thanks to this, they are easier to care for and can be washed less often. In addition, this type of curtain is equipped with side guides that hold the fabric and prevent it from deviating to the side when the window is opened for ventilation. Cassette roller blinds can be used on all types of plastic windows: tilting, rotating and tilt-and-turn.

Dimensions

The appearance of light filters is due to the popularity of plastic windows, because with their installation there was no need to hide window openings behind the usual curtains. Therefore, the dimensions of the products are mainly adapted to the standard sizes of modern double-glazed windows. However, it is also possible to resort to making them to order according to individual parameters.

The table shows the standard sizes of ready-made roller blinds for plastic windows in centimeters.

Attention! The exception is the “Lux” models. A shaft with a diameter of up to 70 mm can withstand heavy, large blades. Therefore, such products can reach sizes of 3.5 m * 4.5 m!

Advantages

The biggest plus is compactness. They cover only the glass, leaving the window opening completely open, so they are ideal for small spaces: kitchen, small bedroom, children's room. They are especially often used to decorate the kitchen, when the work surface of the tables, stove or sink is located in close proximity to the window, since ordinary curtains quickly get dirty and there is a danger of the fabric catching fire.

The next advantage is that the curtains are hung on each sash and do not interfere with the opening of the frame. The window can be opened even with the curtain down. It is also not necessary to lower the fabric all the way to the windowsill - by unrolling the roll only partially, you can limit the access to sunlight. This is convenient, for example, when you need to get rid of glare on the monitor.

Areas of use

Roller blinds are now being actively installed in apartments and office spaces; they are used not only to protect from direct sunlight, but also to isolate employees from each other.

In the kitchen

Roller blinds are increasingly used in the kitchen. Apartment owners spend a lot of time in this room, so a cozy interior is extremely important. However, using curtains and tulle here is not very convenient, because... They may become contaminated with stubborn contaminants. In addition, classic curtains are more likely to catch fire. In the kitchen it is better to install roller blinds with mini-mounts.

"Day-night" in the kitchen.

In office premises

Good lighting is important for offices. If it is insufficient, it will negatively affect the performance of employees. In such rooms it is recommended to install roller blinds with a permeability of at least 50%. This will help prevent the office from heating up due to exposure to direct sunlight, but will not affect the light levels.

The light transmission of roller blinds intended for office use must be at least 50%.

In the nursery

It is not recommended to hang classic curtains in children's rooms, because... A lot of dust accumulates on them, which can later provoke the development of allergic reactions and asthma in a child. In such rooms it is better to install roller blinds with bright canvases and illustrations. This will make the nursery more comfortable.

For a children's room, it is recommended to choose brightly colored curtains.

Flaws

There are three disadvantages of roller blinds:

1. Unreliable design. Indeed, roller blinds require careful handling; sudden movements should not be made when opening and closing. If there are doubts that these conditions will be met, it is better to buy products from reliable manufacturers;
2. There is a gap between the edge of the open-type curtain fabric and the glass, into which sunlight penetrates. It must be remembered that they are used as an additional darkening option. The problem is solved by combining roller and regular curtains made of thick fabric. Also, you can buy cassette curtains rather than open curtains;
3. The laconicism of roller blinds can cause difficulty when creating an interior in a style that requires some pomp. The problem can be solved by using additional curtains made of tulle, organza or other material suitable for the design of the room. They will give the window opening a more presentable look.

Differences from other species

Roller blinds (fabric roller shutters) can be classified as blinds for the home, since they have a similar fastening system and control mechanism. However, this decor does not have lamellas; instead, a single fabric surface is used.

In addition, the method of controlling the canvas is different: the slats rise, tightly compressing each other, and in roller blinds the material is wound onto a shaft and a neat roll is obtained (hence, in fact, the name).

Roller shutters combine the positive qualities of all options:

• due to the variety of colors and materials, they will fit well into any interior;
• they can be combined with traditional curtains;
• provide protection from the sun and prying eyes;
• the treatment of the fabric gives it a dirt-repellent effect, and therefore the products do not require special care.

If you decide to give up fabric curtains and are wondering what to choose: roller blinds or better blinds, then don’t hesitate - take the former. They are more practical to maintain and look more advantageous, while blinds add a certain touch of office style.

Before you go shopping, watch a video that talks about mistakes when choosing roller shutters.

How to take measurements

You can measure the window yourself, but for open and cassette models they are performed differently. For closed roller blinds, measurements are made depending on the configuration of the glazing beads. If they are straight on a plastic window, only the glass should be measured: the width is equal to the distance between the side beads, and the height is between the upper and lower beads. If the glazing beads have a beveled edge, the distance is taken taking into account their width, that is, the width of the glass + 2 widths of the glazing bead. The height of the curtain is measured in the same way - the height of the glass + 2 widths of the glazing bead. Measurements should be taken with an accuracy of 1 mm.

Since open curtains do not require such precision, taking measurements for them is much easier. First, the width of the glass is measured and 30 mm is added to the result. Then the height of the glass is measured and added 120 mm. Additional millimeters can be increased depending on the size of the plastic window, but it is important that the additions are made equally on all sashes.

If something is not clear, watch this visual video:

Problem five – they were embarrassed to use “level”

I never cease to be sincerely surprised how often people neglect the building level during installation. If you are sorry to spend just a minute using a level to set the mounting points of the holders exactly horizontally, be prepared for serious disappointment.

Even I, a cat who didn’t study geometry at school, understand that violating the straight angle leads to skew of the shaft and roll. A deviation of a couple of degrees is not critical, but if the displacement is significant, the system will stop working correctly. The owner of the product will both hear and see this. Firstly, the shifted parts of the lifting mechanism will not touch correctly, producing a loud, unpleasant noise.

Secondly, when lifting, the canvas moves strictly vertically. But due to the displacement of the shaft, the roll will begin to wind unevenly, sliding towards the holder. As a result, the interior will be replenished with a sloppy, crooked curtain that catches the eye of everyone entering the room. And if the fabric “floats” to the drum control unit, then as it is wound, the drum will “snatch” it - and so on every time the curtain is raised. Every time you have to manually correct the “bitten” curtain, which will quickly be ruined. And this sad story begins with the fact that someone was too lazy to attach an ordinary slatted level to the wall...

How to attach roller blinds to plastic windows

There are three ways to attach open roller blinds to a plastic window. The easiest way is to glue them with double-sided tape. First, the upper part of the transom is wiped with a degreaser, after which the tape is heated with hot air from a regular hairdryer, the protective film is removed, and pressed tightly to the frame above the glass. To avoid mistakes and glue the curtain correctly, it is recommended to first draw a horizontal line along the bead. This fastening method is only suitable for curtains made of lightweight fabric. It is not recommended to use Moment type glue, which can damage the plastic surface.

The most reliable fastening with self-tapping screws. The brackets are pressed against the frame above the glazing beads and screwed into the mounting holes with self-tapping screws. Next, latches with gears are put on the shaft with the wound fabric and, when assembled, they are inserted into the brackets. You need to lightly press the tube-shaft until it clicks, which is a signal that the gears are in their proper place. By installing decorative plugs on the brackets, the mechanism is checked in action.

Problem seven – lack of parts

You are armed with the purchased product and the determination to decorate the window - but there is a shortage of components. Two scenarios. The first, simplest one is to review the available spare parts and compare them with the list specified in the instructions. Carefully look around to see if any parts have rolled under the sofa. Usually this helps, the missing components are found, and the installation continues safely.

Accessories for roller blinds

The second scenario is that the set is truly incomplete. In the language of sales managers, this is called the word “underinvestment.” In human terms, the production forgot to put something in the packaging. You will have to try to exchange the purchased product for a full-fledged one. If you have not exceeded the two-week return period and the seller is conscientious, there should be no difficulties with the exchange. For OLEXDECO, “under-investment” is extremely rare thanks to the system of double checking the correctness of the package. But no one has yet succeeded in completely defeating the “human factor”.

Finally, we will repeat in order of increasing importance, which should not be forgotten for the correct fastening of roller curtains:

I hope my tips will help you avoid common mistakes and become truly happy owners and users of high-quality window compositions. Alex the cat and his human colleagues from OLEXDECO are always ready to help with advice and action.

How to install cassette types of roller blinds

It is not difficult to handle the installation of cassette types; the main thing is to control the accuracy of the measurements and prevent distortions.

• The cassette is applied to the top of the frame as close to the glazing bead as possible and the horizontal level is checked;
• Make notes with a pencil through the mounting holes;
• The product is secured with self-tapping screws, making sure that they exactly coincide with the previously made marks;
• Put on decorative covers and check the mechanism in action;
• The protective coating is removed from the underside of the vertical guide, its upper end is inserted under the cover and glued along the glazing bead;
• In the same way, glue the guide strip on the opposite side;
• Using a chain, lower the curtain fabric to the bottom bead, and install a limiter on the chain;
• Install a control chain lock that will hold it when the frame is tilted into ventilation mode.

You can install cassette curtains without drilling by using double-sided polyurethane foam tape, which securely holds products made of plastic and aluminum. But you need to know that this method of fastening has its drawbacks - over time, the plastic in places of contact with the tape may change color. If after a few years, for some reason, the curtains are removed, traces of their presence will forever remain at the place where the guides and brackets are attached.

Important! The chain should be located on the side of the canopies (slopes). In this location it will not interfere with opening the window.

Structure management

Roller curtains can be controlled mechanically. Manufacturers offer the following devices:

• cord with chain. The simplest adjustment is to select the position of the material with a cord on the panel. You will need to lift, fix in the desired position and lower the roller blinds manually. The chain cord can be placed on any side of the mechanism. If handled carefully, the system does not sag and can be used for a long time;
• spring holder. The device is suitable for classic sun protection options and curtains that open from bottom to top. The control process is implemented by automatically fixing the material at the desired level. Spring mechanisms are only suitable for curtains without constant adjustment. Otherwise, they may stretch and weaken. Problems with fixing blinds lead to expensive repairs to the holder;
• electric drive. Despite the complexity of the design, the system is easy to use. The electric motor allows you to control the canvas on high windows, ceilings, and sloping attic walls without going near it.

How to care

The way to care for roller blinds depends on the situation and the fabric from which they are made. Typically, the product's operating instructions indicate products that can be used to clean the canvas. If a stain appears, remove it with an eraser. During routine cleaning, non-aggressive detergents are recommended that do not contain acidic or alkaline components that can change the color of the fabric.

It is easier to care for cassette types, since they are in the box most of the day, and no dust gets on them - just wipe the guide strips and the case itself with a damp cloth, and vacuum the canvas.

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Recommendations for choosing fastenings

1. You need to choose a location for attaching roller blinds based on the dimensions of the room, curtains, and window openings. If the opening is small, it is better to mount the product on the ceiling or wall at the top of the window.
2. If the plastic double-glazed windows are new, you should not injure them with self-tapping screws. Once dismantled, the holes are difficult to hide from them. In this case, you should give preference to mini roller blinds. They can be secured without drilling - using double-sided tape.

   
   The choice of fastening is primarily determined by the size and weight of the roller blind

3. In some cases, tape and spring brackets cannot be used. We are talking about installing large curtains that have a considerable weight. Such a mount simply won’t hold up. It is better to use self-tapping screws.

Operation and care

Curtain material can absorb odors. To prevent this, you should regularly ventilate the room. Several times a month, wipe the box and curtains with a damp cloth or sponge soaked in soapy water. Washing fabrics in a machine is not allowed.

To remove dry stains, it is recommended to use a school eraser. To remove stubborn stains, it is customary to remove curtains and send them to dry cleaning. The use of aggressive stain removers is contraindicated due to the high risk of streaks forming on the canvas.

Common installation errors

Despite the simplicity of the design, typical errors occur during installation. Let's describe them so you can avoid them.

• When choosing, it is important to remember that the width of the fabric is a separate characteristic, and the total width of the curtain is the distance from the edge of one connection to the edge of the second.
• Having chosen the installation position of the roll, lower the curtain and twist the window handles in all directions, open and close the windows. Very often, after installation, it turns out that the canvas interferes with the functionality of window handles or frames.
• When choosing the installation position, it is necessary to take into account the full length of the canvas so that its top does not end up being raised unreasonably high, while the bottom does not cover the window and allows light to pass through unhindered.
• When using adhesive tape, it is important to thoroughly wash and degrease the surfaces. Neglecting this rule significantly reduces the strength of the structure. She can fall at the most unexpected moment.

Selection criteria: what to look for when purchasing

Open mini-structures are more convenient for installation in the kitchen. You can easily secure them with your own hands. In other rooms and office spaces, it is better to use closed cassette or spring models.

The next thing you need to pay attention to is the material from which the canvas is made. If the curtain will be located in a place with high traffic, it is better to choose models with a curtain made of synthetic fabric. In apartments, roller blinds with fabric made of natural material are more often installed. If the room is located on the ground floor, it is better to install double curtains. On the upper floors, single-layer canvases are sufficient.

In addition, when purchasing curtains, you need to clarify the control method. There are both mechanical and automatic models on sale.

Popular brands

The best brands include:

1. Inspire.
2. Lotari.
3. "Escar."
4. Cosiness.