Blinds & Shutters Buyers Guide 2024

GLOSSARY
Blind box (also headbox or roller casing) –
total enclosure for the blind roller with
removable face for access.
Side channel (also side guide or side groove
channel) – section in which the edge of the
blind runs.
Cill channel (also bottom channel or bottom
groove) – to form light seal at bottom edge
of blind.
Fillets (also batten grounds) – usually in
wood. Fitted to enable casing to be installed.
Light seal (also sealing strip) – applied when
fixing blackout blinds to uneven surfaces to
render join light proof. Can be foam strip,
felt, mastic or brush.
FIRE CURTAINS/BLINDS
Fire resistant curtains or blinds to protect
escape routes and limit fire damage to
building fabric and contents. Removes the
need to erect solid fire walls, facilitating open
plan design. Can be suitable for large areas of
containment.
The curtain or blind can be retracted and
concealed in a compact housing hidden within
the ceiling, until deployed. A signal from the
fire alarm (if integrated into an existing fire
alarm system) would activate the drive-roller
mechanism to lower the curtain to the
operational position.
HEAVY DUTY
CONTRACT ROLLER
BLINDS
The extent of the spans that are possible
can be overlooked because of the popular
perception of roller blinds being mainly
suitable for domestic applications. Widths of
up to 6 metres and drops of 4-5 metres are
commonly available, whilst even larger sizes
are possible.
These sizes require rollers and
mechanisms that are otherwise used for
shutters and shopblinds. Consideration must
be given to the make up of the fabric.
Dimensional stability is even more
important which will require hems and
cross seams and a secure method of
attachment to the roller.
Provided suitably robust components and
fabric make up is specified, the scope of
applications is extensive.
Types, operation & components
(see roller blinds page 10-12)
HONEYCOMB/CELLULAR
BLINDS
Cellular Blinds use a honeycomb fabric and
can be used for all types of windows
including those with shaped glazing.
This is a type of pleated blind meaning
that the fabric of the blind folds or
concertinas up when the blind is retracted.
When viewed from the side this cellular
fabric looks like a honeycomb structure and
this allows the inner cords of the blind to
pass through the fabric but not be visible on
either side of the blind. The gap between
the front and back faces of the fabric also
acts as an insulating layer making cellular
blinds a good solution for preserving heat in
the winter and rejecting heat in the summer.
Cellular fabrics come in a wide range of
colours and some have a blackout lining so
with no holes in the fabric these make
effective dim-out blinds.
Like many blind styles cellular blinds can
be manually or electrically operated using
low voltage motors.
Types
Free hanging
Cord operation passing through a cord lock
for operational control.
Tensioned
To be fitted in a rooflight or sloping window.
Can be fitted with frame or used with side
channels and/or guide wires through the
fabric. They may be cord, wand, hand draw
or operated by electric motor.
Shaped
Most unusual shapes are easily covered
using cellular blinds e.g. rectangular,
triangular, and circular.
Dual function
Three rails may be used with a different
fabric in each section e.g. with the midrail
to the headrail, a 'daytime' fabric is
in the window and from the mid-rail to
the bottom rail, a 'night time' fabric is
viewed.
Components
Head and Bottom Rail sections
Anodised or painted aluminium.
Cord
Made from polyester.
Brackets
Galvanised or painted steel.
Cord lock
Locking mechanism to secure the blind in
the raised position.
Cleat
Nylon used to secure cord instead of a cord
lock.
Tension wire
PVC coated steel or Kevlar coated cord.
Child Safety
Always consider window blind cord and
chain safety in buildings where children live
or may visit.
INSECT SCREENS
The Food and Hygiene Regulations require
that windows in commercial food
preparation areas which open to the
outside environment are fitted with a means
of preventing the entry of birds and other
infestations. It is essential therefore that a
properly designed screening system is used.
To be effective, insect screen systems
should be permanently insect proof, and
moveable screens must have seals that
remain insect proof even after thousands of
opening and closing operations.
Types and operation
Fixed screens – panels fixed direct to the
window frame and which do not operate.
Hinged screens – panels that are hinged on
one side.
Sliding screens – panels slide in a track system.
Roller screens – roller blind type with boxing
and side guides.
Screen doors – self-closing screens for
doorways.
Components
Frames – anodised or stove enamelled
aluminium.
Fabric – PVC coated glassfibre; rot-proof mesh.
Side guides – for roller screens to retain the
edge of the fabric and seal against insect
ingress.
6 Blinds & Shutters Buyers’ Guide • 2024