Blinds & Shutters Buyers Guide 2024

GLOSSARY
Blind boxes were originally fixed above
the name fascia or entablature, and this
allowed for the blind cloth to be set at a
steep angle which gave a pleasing aspect
to the blind, better ventilation and better
weathering.
The present tendency is for blind boxes
to be fitted below the name fascia panel
and consequently a much flatter blind is the
result. This sometimes calls for the
introduction of rainwater drain eyelets on
the cover.
Wherever possible, consideration
should be given to positioning the blind
box at the highest level.
Fabric
Blind coverings are in the main made from
woven acrylic fibre, with an incorporated
dirt repellent. This material has the
appearance of traditional cotton duck but is
more robust. Reinforced PVC blind cloths
are also available.
Components
Box – a properly constructed weather box,
with a slot at the front for the blind to pass
through, usually made from good quality
timber.
Roller – a steel or aluminium tube with a
steel axle on which a helical spring is
mounted.
Set-off plates, cup plates, roller brackets – a
malleable iron casting in which the roller is
suspended.
Front lath or rail – this is the leading edge of
the blind and its twin function is to retain
the outer edge of the cloth and to form the
closure piece to the front slot of the blind
box when the blind is not in use.
Cover or cloth – this is the material or fabric
which is held in tension between the roller
and lath and is the shading component of
the blind.
Tacking fillet or tacker – this is the substantial
piece of softwood which is secured to the
back of the lath. Its function is to have the
cover nailed to it so as to hold the cover in
position.
Arms and slides – these are made from
mild steel and are the means of projecting
the blind outwards from the face of the
building to which it is attached. The slides
are the means of adjustment in height
between the required headroom and the
position of the bottom of the blind arms
when in repose.
Pull Down
Eye
Front
Lath
Tacking
Fillet
Box
Trellis
Arm
Pivot arms – are ordinary arms fitted
without slides where there is sufficient
height available for the blind arms to be
accommodated in the vertical position
whilst sufficient headroom is also
available below the lowest part of
the arm.
Storm chain, supporting chain, safety chain –
these suspend the blind in position in case
the cloth or cover should come adrift from
the lath.
Trellis arms – these are made from crisscross
scissor-type slats made from mild
steel. These arms also have vertical slides.
Long arm or blind pole – a wooden pole with
a cast malleable hook for pulling the blind
out from the box.
Tops and bottoms or slide castings – the
malleable castings which secure the top and
bottom of the slide bar in position.
Cannon – the malleable casting securing the
inner end of the blind arm to the pivot bolt
on the slide box or shoe.
Slide box – the casting which runs up and
down the slide bar with pivot bolt and arm
attached.
Shoe – the casting forming the fixed pivot
point where slides are not used.
Strap – the horizontal part of the blind arm
which is secured to the front lath.
Pull-down eye – the ring attached to the
front lath for pulling the blind out with the
long arm or blind pole.
Box bend, side bend, set under – these are
various purpose-made bends fashioned into
the blind arms.
Irons, ordinary arms – another term for blind
arms.
Pins and chains – cotter pins secured with a
small length of chain and used to secure the
slide box in its upper position on the slide bar.
Side blinds – separate detachable side
pieces made from acrylic, canvas or
PVC and suspended on poles at right
angles to the main blind to give end
protection.
VEHICLE AWNINGS
Most vehicles can have an awning fitted
to them although the awning itself and
the brackets to ensure a safe and
appropriate fix call for a specialist
installer.
Specialist awnings are a popular addition
to many vehicles such as:
Automotive Repair - For small to medium
wheelbase vans awnings can provide
necessary undercover facilities to carry out
auto glazing or dent and paint repair work
etc. Technicians can work whatever the
weather so no lost days or rebooking
customer appointments. With these types of
awnings operation is easy with a single
person deploying the awning in around 4
minutes.
Emergency Services and Mobile Technicians
For medium to long wheelbase vans
and special trailers used by mobile
technicians and the emergency services.
All weather, heavy duty awnings
provide undercover facilities whilst out
in the field whether it’s a portable
office, mobile workshop, exhibition or
hospitality requirement.
Motorsport, Horse & Hospitality Transport
Purpose built awnings are ideal for outdoor
pursuits. For motorsport and equine
vehicles some awnings have enclosures with
inset window panels made from heavy duty
vinyl. Flame retardant fabrics are available
with a variety of options such as electric
motor operation and built-in LED lights.
For Horseboxes either built into the body
by the constructor or fitting retrospectively
awnings will provide shelter from the side of
the truck and options such as portable
stabling are available.
Modular Frame Systems - Ideally suited to
larger vehicle of 7.5t upwards when
projections of 5-6m are required a modular
awning offers greater flexibility and can even
cover several elevations of the vehicle using
a portable frame system with a tension roof
sheet. These can be fully enclosed if required
and are most typically used by motorsport
teams.
In all situations it is possible to have logos
and corporate branding added to these
types of awnings.
22 Blinds & Shutters Buyers’ Guide • 2024