What Are Roller Blinds?

If you are looking for a minimalist, easy-to-use window covering that does not take away too much from your windows, made-to-measure roller blinds are an ideal option.

Of the many different types of blinds available on the market, roller blinds are efficient, cost-effective and often highly striking when they are used, especially if you work with a go-to specialist in made-to-measure blinds.

What are roller blinds? Why are they such a popular choice? Are they right for you? And what should you consider before fitting any of your own?

What Are Roller Blinds?

At once simple but elegantly designed, roller blinds are a window covering made from a single measure of fabric that rolls up and down your window.

They were first developed in the 18th century as Scotch Holland blinds, with the name coming from the combination of fabric from Holland and a manual winding mechanism developed in Scotland.

Since then, however, they have evolved significantly, not only in terms of the types of fabric used but also in terms of winding method. Along with the traditional chain, there are spring and even motorised blinds that open and close automatically.

Roller blinds tend to use thicker, more robust material than curtains due to this mechanism, which often makes them particularly effective for blackout and dimout purposes.

Why Have Roller Blinds Become A Popular Choice?

This simplicity in appearance and operation has made them a particularly popular choice when it comes to window coverings, as a simple chain or switch can provide seamless window coverage and privacy without any stress or effort.

As British homes have embraced minimalism and the limitless potential for simple lines, roller blinds have become beloved as a way to celebrate the frame and shape of the room whilst maintaining the core tenets of natural textures, clean lines and clever use of technology.

By contrast, whilst curtains will always remain popular, the fact that they necessarily frame the window creates additional design challenges and complications that a well-designed set of blinds simply avoids.

Similarly, as smart homes have allowed us to perfect every section of our home and control our privacy and comfort with a tap of a screen or a simple voice command, roller blinds have continued to evolve in a way other window coverings simply have not.

Are Roller Blinds Right For You?

In most cases and in most homes, roller blinds will be a suitable option for you, and they provide a lot of advantages other curtains do not.

Here are some of the biggest reasons why roller blinds may be right for you:

• Their high-quality materials paired with simple lines means that they fit nearly every interior design style.
• Their mechanisms are compact, able to fit within the window recess itself and thus perfect for small rooms and narrow windows.
• Highly adjustable, providing a way to balance privacy and light levels.
• Easily made to measure with a huge range of colours and fabrics to choose from.
• Simple and easy to operate, typically only needing a tug of a chain or a push of a button to operate.
• Long-lasting, as everything that makes the blind materials robust enough to last makes them durable enough to last years if well-maintained.

What To Consider When Choosing Roller Blinds?

There is no single type of roller blinds out there, and different blinds will be more or less suitable for your home. 

Here are some of the more major choices to make and how they will affect your home.

Normal Vs Reverse

The normal configuration for roller blinds places the roller fabric closer to the window glass, keeping it snug to the window. Aesthetically, this works very well and provides the greatest privacy and minimal movement from the wind.

In some cases, however, a reverse roll is necessary. This rolls fabric from the back of the tube closer to you, creating a larger gap that is often necessary if you have quite prominent window handles, need an additional insulation layer or want blackout curtains.

Choice Of Fabric

Aside from the colour, texture, weave and all of the other major choices required for any textile installation, blind fabrics need to be chosen based on their functionality.

Whilst there are countless options, the three main choices are:

• Voile – These work like net curtains or privacy curtains and allow natural light in without compromising your privacy.
• Dimout – Also known as light-filtering blinds, they help to diffuse and reduce sunlight without removing it entirely. This will also offer full privacy at night compared to voile.
• Blackout – These tightly woven fabrics block all light going in and out, making them perfect for bedrooms.