Blinds & Shutters Buyers Guide 2024

GLOSSARY
Glossary
of Blinds and Shutters products
1. INTERNAL
BLINDS
3D ROLLER BLINDS
A settled combination of transparent and
translucent fabric uses pattern to give an
unusual 3 dimensional effect.
ACOUSTIC BLINDS
Not to be confused with sound proofing,
acoustic blinds reduce noise reverberation
within the room preventing ‘echo effects’
whilst providing efficient shading.
ANTI-GLARE ROLLER
BLINDS
The blinds consist of a transparent solar film
fitted to an aluminium roller which may be
spring loaded, friction or chain ball side operated.
Where conditions dictate, the roller blind
can be mounted inside a cassette which will
protect the film from dust, hostile
atmospheres and possible mechanical
damage when not in use.
Solar films consist of thin layers of
polyester which can be clear or dyed to
various colour specifications and degrees of
darkness to produce the anti-glare effectiveness
of the film with a resultant benefit of
reduced eye strain.There may also be a
micro-thin coating of aluminium between
the layers which rejects infra-red rays and
gives the film its heat reflecting/heat
rejecting properties. This feature can reduce
heat build up and mean a saving in air
conditioning power consumption and costs.
All solar films absorb over 97% of UV
light which reduces the fading effect (antifade)
and other destructive features of
sunlight such as skin damage.
Types
Grey/silver film – offers a high degree of glare
protection combined with a high degree of
heat reflection.
Grey/grey film – this film has excellent glare
protection without the obvious reflection
associated with the above.
Bronze/bronze film – almost the same
properties as grey/grey but with a bronze hue.
Grey/gold film – highly heat reflective with
excellent anti-glare properties. The most
effective of all the films.
Clear film – anti-fade only. Used mainly in
shop windows and hospital dermatology
wards.
Amber film – anti-fade with a little heat and
glare rejection. Used mainly as shop window
blinds.
Components – see roller
blinds (page 10-12).
BLACKOUT AND
DIM-OUT BLINDS
These blinds are those based on the roller blind.
Blackout blind – blind giving as near to total
light exclusion as possible.
NOTE: It is near impossible to achieve 100%
light exclusion with a blind that can be
opened. This excludes the use of working
blackout blinds in such situations as photographic
dark rooms where high speed emulsions
are exposed. Blackout blinds have totally
opaque fabric and are fully enclosed in casing.
Dim-out blind – blind giving a substantial
reduction in light level but still allowing a
certain amount to penetrate. They may be
plain roller blinds or may make use of casing
or masking. The level of dim-out is best
specified by reference to the use required
of the blind.
Dark blinds – see dim-out blinds above.
Audio visual blinds – generally low level
dim-out blinds for such purposes as slide
projection, presentations and VDU screens.
This term is most usually applied to special
venetian blinds.
(see page 14).
Components
Roller – can be spring assisted or plain roller
operated by pull cord and cleat, ball chain,
pull tape, gear and handle or electric motor
(see roller blind section).
Fabric – also cover or blind cloth.
Bottom rail (also bottom bar or hem bar) –
rail fitted to bottom or leading edge of fabric.
Cross rib (also wind lath or windcheat) – a
stiffening rod usually held in a pocket across
the width of the blind to prevent wind
blowing the blind out of the casing.
Edge stud (also button) or edge bead (zip) –
a device fitted to the edge of the fabric to
prevent it pulling out of the special side
channel.
Side Channel Fillet Cill Channel
Blind Box Top Masking Side Masking
Blinds & Shutters Buyers’ Guide • 2024 5